Shape-wear has always been an important part of lingerie. What was once used to enforce “the perfect feminine silhouette” has evolved into playful, even provocative styles worn today at leisure. The girdle and the garter belt are two undergarment staples whose appearance and function has changed significantly to meet our modern day lingerie needs.
1930s
Moving away from the restrictive shape-wear of the decades prior, such as the metal boned corsets of the early 20th century, the girdle first came about in the 1930s. Initially, it was a full body girdle with a bra, skirt, and garter straps all in one. Near the end of the 30s, it became more common to have a separate bra and girdle. The girdle was a stepping stone towards creating undergarments that were more comfortable for women, especially as this was around the time many women would be entering the workforce.
1940s
By this time, there were 3 typical styles of the girdle. A step down from the full body girdle was the full leg girdle, which covered from the waist to above the knee. This was followed by waist girdles, which look much more like a garter belt, and were intended to flatten the stomach as opposed to slim the entire figure. Lastly, as women began wearing pants, panty girdles came about which were essentially a shapely biker short with the garter clips for stockings.
1950s + 1960s
The same styles of girdles from the 40s stuck around into the next two decades evolving only slighting in shape and material. Women were still “required” to wear stockings until the 1960s so the undergarments still served as a functional piece, as the stockings needed the garter clips to be held in place.
1970s + 1980s
The 1970s moved away from the necessity of girdles and they were transformed into the garter belt. Now that stockings were made that either had a top or could stay up without clips, garters became a fashion statement instead of a functional garment. It was no longer out of place to see intricately adorned garter belts with lace and frills.
Modern Day
Finally, to the modern day garter! From the sexy strappy cage garters to the flirtatious lace garters, today’s realm of garter belts knows no bounds with a plethora of stunning embellishments and materials to choose from. Here are two of our very own garter favorite styles!
If you want to learn a bit more about the history of lingerie check out our recent blog posts and check back in a week for the history of stockings!
Lace, champagne, and satin flowers. Luxury as only the French know how is the name of the day. Only the classiest will do, and our french cut lace undies fit the bill! (Matching bras are available which are a godsend if you’re wearing halter-style dresses!)
The land of super-sexy bridal lingerie is full of padding, boning, underwire, and fabrics which may or may not breathe! Hardly our idea of wedded bliss. Thankfully, it doesn’t need to be this way! Our Lola line is made from bamboo, and features cheeky peekaboo sheer nylon panels on the bum (and the cups of the matching bras). Super soft, super breathable, and super seductive!
Break out the matching china, a lace edged tablecloth, and great great grandmother’s sun hat! Modernize the Downton Abbey era garden party with our cute and scandalous frilly-bum bloomer-style panties, flower bobby pins in “cherry”, and button hairpins in the “Jane Austen” colour way.
If fuss and frills aren’t your style, stay comfy and cute in our bamboo blend bikini cut, here pictured in White and Cotton Candy. Organza floral bobbypins are an unobtrusive accent to a simple hairstyle, and are totally wearable after the event.
Who says fun undies are only for the traditional fem-folk? If you have bridesmen, nonbinary members of the bridal party, or any women who would just feel more comfortable with it, we have two shades of pink boxer briefs. Frilly bums optional.
Devil May Wear 