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Date Posted: 14:32:45 10/01/20 Thu
Author: JP from NoVA
Subject: Re: Anyone Want To Talk About Girdles
In reply to: Nick 's message, "Re: Anyone Want To Talk About Girdles" on 15:59:56 09/30/20 Wed

>The materials are still available apparently

No, I don't think the powernet and downstretch fabrics available today can ever compare to those of the 60's.

Why?

Technology allows the use of much finer thread and spandex for weaving these fabrics.
This allows producing much finer material (denier if you will).

This is thought to be an advantage throughout the industry.
These lighter weight fabrics are cooler, and do not bind as much when contorted (think sitting, squatting, etc.)
The lighter weight fabrics don't produce the feeling of wearing body armor like the original fabrics did.
Thinner denier fabrics stretch more easily than heavy denier fabrics, without even considering the amount of spandex content.

The 60's - 70's downstretch fabric was made with acetate, rayon and rubber.
This material was quite heavy, (almost had the feel of tent canvas) and was used for rear and side panels.
The material only stretches up and down, (hence the name downstretch), and is rigid from side to side.
These panels made the girdle more controlling, as they didn't stretch in the direction of the control.

Modern downstretch fabric now made from nylon and spandex, the same materials used for powernet.
It is woven differently from powernet, so it still exhibits the same properties as the original downstretch fabric.
But the new downstretch fabric is many times lighter (denier) than the original downstretch fabric.

It is one of the major reasons why the Cortland 5033 LLPG went from extra heavy duty, to lightweight.
Cortland 5033 was sold by Sears, Penneys and other suppliers:
https://www.jcpenney.com/p/cortland-intimates-zip-maximum-control-girdle-5033/pp5003170028?pTmplType=regular

Also, in the interest of comfort, the amount of spandex used in the powernet fabrics was significantly reduced.
60's powernet fabrics generally contained at least 30% spandex, and went as high as 65% spandex, as I have seen.
Modern powernet is generally 10% to 30%, with typically 18-20%.
Rago's Lacette fabric has 30%, very few others match this.

Remember, these percentages compare the weight of spandex fiber content to the overall weight of the fabric.
Since vintage powernet fabric was much heavier weight, it contained much more spandex than modern powernet, for a given percentage.
For example, a vintage powernet with 30% spandex, might contain 3 times (300%) more spandex fiber than Rago's 30% Lacette fabric.

Finally, vintage girdles were cut much smaller for a given size, so the powernet had to stretch much farther when worn.
This has the net effect of feeling much tighter.

It is completely doubtful that any fabric mills are producing anything like the original downstretch or powernet fabrics.
Who would use them?

There might be some bolts of vintage downstretch and/or powernet fabric sitting on a shelf in some warehouse somewhere in the world.
Not enough for production, but enough to produce maybe 100 or so vintage girdles, enough for all of us enthusiasts.
If we could find it, we could probably buy it for a song, because no manufacturer is going to buy it.

Spandex rots with age, that is a given.
Depending on the environment in which it is stored, the rot process could be very slow to very fast.
Buying vintage girdles on eBay, that you intend to wear, is risky.

I would rather do what louis said, buy a new Rago or Leonisa garment, downsize and/or double up to achieve the compression of a vintage garment.
That would also be expensive, but at least the durability will far exceed a vintage garment.

Just yesterday, I put in an order for a girdle that was popular in the 70s, a Cortland Venus 5039:
https://www.abra4me.com/Venus-5039
This was also sold under the brand name of Subtract (probably others).
Its selling point was for a person dieting, the girdle maintained compression, even as your size went down.
I inherited a subtract bodybriefer from my wife, and I have to tell you, it is Hella powerful!
The tag says "20% spandex", but it sure feels like a lot more than that.
Maybe because the fabric feels like the older, heavier type of powernet.

This sales outlet is selling it for 40% off, and is by far the best price I could find on the internet for new merchandise.
I ordered four, in black, two size 30, two size 32. My waist is size 34.
I don't know whether what I'm going to get will compare to the briefer, or a wimped out version.

PS:
I mentioned in the past on this forum, that I had bought several different versions of girdles branded Miraclesuit.
Well let me tell you I am extremely disappointed with the lack of durability of their girdles.
Within a year, they have ALL fallen apart.
It isn't the seams, but rather the fabric itself.
It was not long before spandex fiber ends started popping out the surface of the fabric.
Then, the fabric itself started pulling apart! I have five girdles ready for the garbage can.

For comparison: all these girdles were ordered in the same size as a Rago 6210 I already had.
They have been stored in the same drawer, and received the same hand wash cold, drip dry as the 6210.
The 6210 is almost 3 years old, the fabric is fine, some seams are a little worse for the wear, but still usable.
I have other girdles holding up similar to the Rago, but ALL the Miraclesuits are ready for trash.

I recommend NOT buying anything from the Cupid Intimates group: https://www.cupidintimates.com/
The brand names are: Cupid, Miraclesuit, Naomi & Nicole, TC (Total Comfort)
No matter the price, there is no value.

I am sorry this post was so long.

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