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Where Have All the Girdles Gone?

Daphne Merkin hunts for anti-gym fix

By Victoria Floethe,  Newser User

Posted Dec 6, 2008 6:03 PM CST
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(Newser) – In these belt-tightening times, Daphne Merkin wonders why she can't find a decent girdle.  Spanx abound and corsets have been re-conceived as fetish objects or ironic fashion statements, but the real body armor has become taboo, she writes in the New York Times T Magazine. "Try Brighton Beach," one shopkeeper told her, "They still cater to zaftig women."

Corsets signified womanhood for 300 years. The flappers ruled briefly, but waist-cinching returned with Dior's New Look in 1947 before kicking the bucket 2 decades later. Merkin, who finally got suited at Livis Lingerie on Third Avenue, admits, "I would be less than honest if I said it restored me to my 20-year-old body." As for the girdle she gave to her 19-year-old daughter? She's "been eyeing it for erotic purposes."



Corset, 1891
Corset, 1891   (©bobster1985)
During the 19th century, all free-women in the United States, wore corsets.
During the 19th century, all free-women in the United States, wore corsets.   (©din_bastet)
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In the course of my investigation, I came to understand that to link yourself to girdles is to suggest that some of your customers might not be young or, a worse fate yet, not in control of their bedtime snacking.
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I soon discovered it had become politically incorrect to mention—much less wear—a girdle, as though the nomenclature itself had become suspect. - Daphne Merkin

The girdle as such is obsolete. There are Senior citizens who are wearing it, but you couldn't live on that.
- Susan Ornstein, owner of Livi's Lingerie

I fell hard for a black lace all-in-one that gave me a fetching "Belle du Jour" look, as though I were the older but still sexy sister of Catherine Deneuve—or a Pigalle streetwalker.
- Daphne Merkin

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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Shannonals
Dec 9, 2008 9:47 PM CST
After a 300 year old reign, the Corsets may be coming back? I see everal women heading to the Doctor for back aches if they do

Breathe in, men and grab a girdle
Seattle Times

 
fashion • shopping • lingerie • girdles • waistline • corset

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