Synthetic elastic fibers called Lycra and spandex facilitated new designs in all types of lingerie. Three times as powerful as natural rubber, Lycra could make a girdle with real control. By eliminating the need for bones or stays or zippers, it revolutionized girdle-making. It could be dyed and knitted into fabrics. Panty girdles became almost the universal choice over regular girdles. With a back seam instead of no seam, the panty girdle gave a much more natural silhouette. As girdle legs became longer (and finally finished off with a two-inch cuff of lacy elastic) garter tabs were put up inside the cuff rather than at the bottom. It was a major esthetic breakthrough. The stocking top, the ugly brown part, went up inside the girdle and made a smooth line. We were in girdle heaven.

Languid poses from 1964 to 1966. Notice the shift in garter arrangment from the 1964 Warner's ad (far left) to the 1965 and 1966 Vassarette garments. (Latter shown in an ad for "Vyrene" fabric.)

Seduction in spandex- is it any wonder young mens' eyes lingered? L-R: Sears; Sears, 1967; Hollywood Vassarette.

The white long-leg: classic girdle of the Golden Era. L-R: Formfit, 1966; Smoothie, 1965; Daisyfresh; Sarong, 1967; Maidenform, undated.

Can a firmly girdled woman still project an image of untrammeled sensuality? Some thought so! L-R: Warners, 1963; Sears; Sears; Fortuna 1967.

Warner's high-budget 1967 "Body-Do" campaign suggested that a woman could change her shape as easily as her hair style. (Body-do/hair-do. Get it?)

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The Image Gallery is presented in hopes of preserving a small bit of a vanishing cultural resource. All material is posted for educational purposes only.

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