Chapter IV: How To Grow Gracefully (After 40)
As you enter this period and get closer to age 50 the importance of the well fitted and correctly sized foundations cannot be over- stressed. You are approaching the "age of distention". I've coined this phrase because its more delicate than to say aging skin and flesh.
Women losing their firmness of flesh also lose posture gradually, and ill-fitting foundations cause much physical distress. You may be the same weight, aud almost the same measurements as 20 years earlier, but YOU are not the same. Your foundations must be therapeutic (as they should be at any age) to keep your body from sagging; especially the abdomen and breasts. You will be better postured and less tired.
Women of 50 to 60 years, who are quite slim are inclined to feel "they don't need much". They need SUPPORT as much as the large woman does, whom I've found generally to be in better condition. Perhaps because she's fleshy she has given more attention to her foundation needs. If you wouldn't go to the teen-age department to buy your clothes, then you know what a teenager can wear in size 16, is not for the woman over 40 though she be a size 12.
Corsetiering means "good fitting," and as long as style and size and length are correct the girdle and bra may be of the thinnest fabrics made. For those who need or prefer the firmer fabrics and rigid boning; the so-called "hard garment" is still available.
The only thing that has changed in over 30 years in girdles that retain or remould your figure is the fabrics and elastics. The basic styling has remained the same; proving that the good basic foundation that I created then is here to stay because it is the natural female contour. This holds true for bras also, excepting the extreme models for extreme type clothes.
However expert one becomes with a tape measure, keep in mind that it is only a guide. It is not of blood and flesh and has no feeling. In the case of the woman over 50, take more time to check sitting in the new garment. Two women may measure exactly the same in the thigh-derriere area, yet when seated one may spread considerably more than the other, so make the necessary allowance of a size. If, after wearing the girdle a few times, you then find you have a distressed feeling in the abdomen to the waist area, the problem can easily be remedied. All the garment needs is a two-inch elastic gusset (like a pie wedge ) six inches up, set into the bottom front.
If the style of garment you have already has such a gusset, then have one- inch elastic gussets set in at the bottom of each side of the front section. The gusset should be either a double fold of leno elastic, or a single layer (hemmed) of power net elastic. If the store in your area does not render alterations service, and does not have the elastic, small pieces are available in the notions department of the larger stores. Whoever knows how to use a sewing machine, can render the service of inserting the gusset or gussets. This increase in the bottom and hip measure will not in any way affect the fit.
The corsetiere lines, not over advertised, produce the best detailed constructed foundations. Usually their products are made in black and white. The girdle house will make a few good styles in bras; the bra house will make a few styles in girdles. It is usually with what they concentrate on heavily that they do the topmost job. In addition to being the best wearing, and best construction for fit, they are lower priced. When you have learned "how and what" to buy in girdles and bras, keep in mind that you will look and feel your best, if you buy what you need, not what you like. Indulge your likes in lingerie.
Don't be mislead by brand names, or endorsements by fashion designers. Their's is a gimmick for promotion purposes to integrate lingerie with foundations, even though the two are unrelated. Foundations have a purpose; to support. But lingerie? Then how is it possible to use the same construction and materials in both? Amazing what advertising can do.
For your figure's sake stay with a fabric fitted girdle and the variety of fabric bras in longline to meet every need your wardrobe may call for. Good fitting foundations are for everyday wear, not just on Sundays and special occasions. Short bras arc only for sleeping ill, and-or sports. The body ages internally as well as externally; but with well-fitted foundations, a youthful figure stays younger longer than a youthful face. (For those of you who have young "teen" daughters in the budding stage, see that they wear the accurate size in bras, especially if they are well endowed and active in sports.)
Continue to:
Page designed and maintained by 
Last updated May 29, 1997