I doubt it.
A few years ago, I needed a new panty girdle. Online, JCPenney had just what I needed. Since I planned to go to the mall, I held off ordering online because I figured I could buy the girdle in the JCPenney store at the mall.
Turned out that the store did not have the panty girdle I wanted. Even worse, the store did not have any girdles – panty or otherwise!
Curious, I searched the undergarment department to see if they carried any of the undergarments I normally wear (like long-line bras, corsets, waist cinchers, etc.). I came up empty-handed.
Recently, my daughter was attending a dress-up affair hosted by her employer. She needed pantyhose, had none and borrowed a pair – from her father not her mother!
Today’s women just don't wear the same undergarments that yesterday’s women wore.
Luckily, girls like us can still get what we desire online or at the handful of specialty brick and mortar stores that are still in business. But I think the situation is going to get worse.
My generation wears what our mothers wore, but the younger girls wear what their mothers wore and it’s not panty girdles and pantyhose. So as the boomer generation of girls like us grows smaller, the demand for our mothers’ undies will diminish and eventually disappear... maybe not today, but someday.
Not a great solution, but these days, whenever I buy “classic” women’s underwear, I buy two – one to wear and one to add to my undies stockpile.
And so it goes.
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| Wearing Shein |
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| Roman Polanski femulating in the 1976 French film The Tenant. |
I might respectfully disagree a little...Brands like Soma and even Victorias Secret seem to be adding lacy, soft undies to their line,,,and shiny tights and pantyhose,,thank you Taylor Swift,,,seem to be popular...Just my opinion! Trina
ReplyDeleteYou're right; fashions change, even for undies. I've had two wives (the first died) and neither wore shaping underwear, though when my second mother-in-law died and I helped empty her apartment, old fashioned corsetry was in abundance (and I was a fool not to help myself to it.) My women friends certainly have pretty underwear, some of which costs a fortune, but shapewear nothing, except perhaps for a pir of stretch panties, rarely, if ever, worn.
ReplyDeleteFortunately here (mainland Europe) shapewear is available, perhaps more in department stores than specialist lingerie stores, where, in the latter, bras go for €100 and up and €40 for matching panties is normal. I go back to England a couple of times a year and the big chain, Marks and Spencer is still faithful to its older clients and shapewear is always available There are still makers/suppliers for on-line shopping (Miss Mary of Sweden and Wolbar (Poland) for example).
I'm also lucky that I've a couple of friends who pass on old bras, usually top end makes when they have served their time.b but neither wear shaping panties.
Lily
Sad but true. I used to love to go to old-fashioned lingerie stores, where they had boxes and boxes of girdles, long line bras, slips piled up behind the counters. They often had many styles of crinolines and petticoats, and many varieties of panties. They always had what I wanted, and I never had a problem getting fitted for the perfect undies. Now I have to go to Rago.com to find any all-in-one girdle with garters. My preference in that item is one with a front zipper, which makes it easier to get into, especially when you get a very controlling size too small. They simply don't exist, outside of super expensive vintage pieces on eBay or Esty, and finding one in my size has proved fruitless.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.etsy.com/listing/1858224733/1980-full-body-corset-36d-deadstock?ls=a&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=all+in+one+girdle&ref=sc_gallery-4-4&cns=1&sts=1&nob=1&plkey=LT86cd5c8225d29b29c758b85b493ad036867c53be%3A1858224733
I have always employed the "Buy One For Now And One For Later" Method. I'm happy to see that L'Eggs has tried to relaunch, I hope they stick around.
ReplyDeleteI would bet that everyone reading this post was nodding their head in agreement. Even L'eggs Sheer Energy, which used to be sold just about everywhere, are becoming near impossible to find and on only a few colors. Anytime I see my size in a store I buy a pair to stock up - like I'm preparing for the incoming zombie apocalypse of bare legs!
ReplyDeleteThe only time I don't wear socks or some kind of hosiery is when I wear sandals. I believe sandals are too casual for Sunday mornings, so I wear hosiery to go along with my heels. The length of the hosiery depends on the height of the hem of my dress.
ReplyDeleteJohn
I also buy 2, one for now and one to save. Can't ever count on something being available again. I am a huge fan of nylon undergarments. You can still get slips, pettipants and camisoles from Shadowline. The lace is basic (oh well) but you can still get them which is at least nice. I get my nylon Vanity Fair panties from HerRoom.
ReplyDeleteBasically the 90's grunge era killed anything "fancy" and "elegant." Those things got labeled "stuff grandma would wear." It is possible it could make a comeback because fashion can be unpredictable. Not sure pantyhose will make a comeback though. Women these days look at them as oppressive. Granted it is not great when it is hot, but when it is cooler it is quite nice. I can't see myself ever not wearing hose if I am wearing a skirt suit. I would feel so unpolished.
-Christina
I went looking for a girdle the other day at Nordstroms none to be had I was prety surprised. Girls like us need those things. Maybe I'll try VS and see if they can help.
ReplyDeleteSallee
I’m one for the old days. I remember mom’s open bottom girdle with garters. White bra white half or full slip. Feminine to the max. My old stand by Walgreens sells pantyhose and knee highs. I bought my women’s leggings there too.
ReplyDeleteOooh I'm so lucky my female Hubby's mum takes me shopping for my undies both practical and to titivate my female husband especially as I know my place
ReplyDeleteany woman going bare legged and thinking that she looks just as good is kidding herself. and the older you get the worse your legs look. but this trend just fits in the way society is headed attire wise. I still stick with the premise of a book I read growing up--Dress for Success by John Malloy
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! As I near the completion of eight decades on this planet my legs have a lot of spider veins. Also, my personal preference is to cover up those unsightly legs when wearing black heels and a black dress. Maybe, if I had darker skin tone my bare legs would not look so bad. Decades ago daywear seemed to be clothes to entice a partner. Elizabeth Taylor in her white lacy full slip in "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" comes to mind. I remember the offering on full and half slips with matching bra and panty sets in seasonal colors, such as vivid reds at Christmas or pinks and reds at Valentine's Day. No more, you're fortunate to out bid somebody on ebay for the treasures of yesterday.
DeleteI think we are luckier in Europe as we still have this stores in moat cities, and also have bigs stores like De Bijenkorf and Inno which have large and varied underwear departments. The traditional underwear shops often seem to be in African and Arabic neighbourhoods and often near wig shops. I have often wondered how many of us ladies use these establishments.
ReplyDeleteTanja
Wait... Stana, your daughter had to ask you for some pantyhose? That sounds like a significant development! I was under the impression that your family knew about your crossdressing, but they did not want any involvement. Has that softened?
ReplyDeleteJoey
Actually, my daughter has always been my biggest supporter and I have gone out en femme with her a few times and she has gifted me various female things (like designer bags) over the years.
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