Girdles Revamped: How the Classic Shaper Now Flatters Your Figure with Comfort

Girdles may seem old-fashioned, but these slimming undergarments have seen a resurgence thanks to new and improved designs. Read on to learn all about the history and functionality of girdles.

What is a Girdle?

A girdle is a type of foundation garment that wraps around the hips, waist and lower torso. It is meant to shape and smooth the figure under clothing. Modern girdles are lightweight and flexible, unlike the rigid, restrictive ones of the past.

A Brief History of Girdles

Girdles first emerged in the 1920s as more fitted women’s fashions arose. They provided a smoother silhouette compared to bulky, restrictive Victorian-era corsets. Girdle used elastic fabrics and removable garters to hold up stockings, allowing more flexibility and movement.

By the 1950s and 1960s, girdle were a wardrobe staple for women, worn to create the ideal nipped-in waist and curvy hourglass physique accentuated by fitted dresses and pencil skirts. Usage declined with the rise of pantyhose and feminism in the late 1960s, as restrictive foundation garments fell out of favor.

However, in recent years girdles have remerged as a popular shapewear undergarment option. New high-tech stretch fabrics like spandex and nylon allow for lightweight, breathable designs that are invisible under clothing. Modern innovations have turned girdles from oppressive and uncomfortable to liberating and confidence-boosting.

How Do Girdles Work?

Girdle utilize targeted compression and reinforcement to shape and refine the figure. Key slimming and sculpting functions include:

• Cinching in the waist to create slimmer proportions and definition.
• Flattening the abdomen and tummy area for a smoother, sleeker front silhouette.
• Providing rear lift to perk up the buttocks and give a more rounded rear profile.
• Slimming the hips and thighs to streamline curvier areas.
• Improving posture by gently realigning the spine and opening up the chest.

This all-around targeted compression refines and enhances the overall figure. Modern girdle also often incorporate:

• Lightweight, breathable fabrics like nylon and spandex that allow flexibility and comfort.
• Targeted control zones with higher compression exactly where you want extra slimming power.
• Softer, covered waistbands that don’t dig in or cause pinching at the waist and ribs.
• Cotton-lined gussets for comfort and ventilation at the crotch.
• Convenient hook and eye closures to make wearing the garment easy and adjustable.
• Adjustable straps to customize the level of all-over compression.

Types of Girdles

There are a few different modern girdle styles tailored to target specific problem areas:

• Panty girdle – These ultra high-waisted girdle shape the rear, hips, thighs and butt for an hourglass silhouette. Panty girdle help smooth bulges, jiggle, sagging and cellulite.
• Waist cinchers – As the name implies, waist cinchers focus their compression power solely on the waist and tummy region. This helps define the waistline and flatten the midsection.
• Body shaping girdle – These girdle combine compression to the waist, tummy, hips, bottom, and thighs all in one garment. This provides all-over control and shaping for major slimming and streamlining.
• Postpartum girdle – Designed specifically for new mothers, postpartum girdle help shrink the midsection and abdomen after pregnancy. The abdominal compression aids the uterus in returning to normal size while smoothing post-baby jiggle and rolls.

Benefits of Wearing a Girdle

There are many excellent reasons to give girdle a try. Potential benefits include:

• Instantly smoothing bulges, back rolls, sagging, muffin tops, and other areas prone to lumpiness, providing an impeccably smooth look under clothing.
• Looking up to 5-10 lbs lighter immediately thanks to overall streamlining and slimming compression.
• Providing abdominal and waist compression to help new mothers regain pre-baby figures after pregnancy.
• Improving posture by providing upper and lower back support while gently pulling the shoulders back.
• Enhancing natural curves by lifting the buttocks and accentuating the waist.
• Allowing you to fit better into dresses, tight outfits, and skinny garments that would otherwise cling unflatteringly.
• Reducing pain and speeding healing from strains, sprains, hernias or post-surgery thanks to stabilization and compression.
• A welcome confidence boost from looking instantly smoother, tighter, and more toned.

While girdle aren’t for everyone, they can provide that little extra assistance in looking great. The days of old-fashioned painful girdle are over. New styles and fabrics make girdle a secret slimming weapon. Why not give one a try under your favorite outfit and see the sculpting magic for yourself?