Another zinger Kitty! When I was in high school in Iowa (graduated 1968) my boyfriend always told me how fat I was. So of course I wore a girdle (along with all the other girls as far as I knew— most of whom were very trim like me). It was just what you wore - along with a slip of course - as pants weren’t allowed in our school then. And God forbid, anyone could see light between your legs! I recently ran across an old pic of myself as a senior and I was surprised at how trim and fit I looked! So was it the girdle? Or could it be that yes - I was shamed into feeling that my body could never be good enough by just the patriarchal system you have so beautifully illustrated here?
Radical acceptance of my body and body positivity is a goal I’m always reaching for. When I was a teenager, I was as thin as I’ve ever been, but that was the ‘70s, and girls wore hip-hugger jeans, halter tops, and had long, straight hair. My body didn’t quite fit that look—my hips were too wide, my waist was too short, and I didn’t have enough bust to fill a halter top. One summer, I went to a party in the heat and wore a girdle under my sundress because I felt like I needed to squeeze in whatever fat I had around my middle and hips. I always admired the girls who seemed so comfortable in short shorts and tank tops. Summer has never been comfortable for me, and I blame the Sears catalog and all the skinny models, TV and all the skinny sitcom stars. I also blame my mom, who was always on a diet, so I was conditioned to be the same.
Now, I’m trying to embrace my grandma body, but if I have to dress up, I wear a modern shapewear— I call it my sausage casing— and I need my wife’s help to pull it on, tucking in my back fat. It’s more comfortable than that teen girdle, but it’s just as oppressive.
Carrie, thank you so much. You've shared a feeling so many of us experienced when we were young...and I recommend burning the sausage casing. Let's have a group bonfire. We'd put some people out of business for sure. Thank you for reading and commenting.
So so true Carrie. I thought about this just the other day when I put on an outfit and said to myself after that I would have looked better if I’d had the Spanx on! And then thought to myself - how different is that then when I wore a girdle in high school? (Granted they were MUCH more controlling - but the same idea - “I’m not OK just the way I am”). It’s profound after all these years that these notions of “not good enough” still linger and taunt us.
Oh, Kitty. I'd like to take one of those Pink-Ice tubes and beat Don Draper about the face and head with it until he's rendered unconscious. And all the other admen whose job was to demean women with their ridiculous lies. Fuck the patriarchy. My grandmother wore a girdle for most of her adult life. I hated hugging her when she was dressed. Her squishiness would go missing. Love this.
Isn't it nice when life hands you those little suprises? Almost takes your mind off the the cray-cray that's happening all around us. But then, something happens that halts my reverie and I'm reminded of the patriarchy of dunces, and it all goes to shit.
But, just so you know, I'm committed to staying as squishy as possible. It runs in my family. My grandmother would be mortified if she knew my plans, so let's just keep it between us, okay? xo And please say hey to Cuddy!
Yikes. Girdles. Pantyhose. Oh my.
Julie, after seeing your comment, I suggest Spanx be renamed to Yikes.
Love it!
This post smells like girdle. We’re outa here!
When I learned my mom wore a girdle while pregnant with me, I was given the best excuse for anything and everything from then on.
It explains so much. #girdle
So good.
Thanks, Angie!
Thanks for being a gifted writer. You had me at "girdle" Love this Kitz
Thanks, Hilz!
Another zinger Kitty! When I was in high school in Iowa (graduated 1968) my boyfriend always told me how fat I was. So of course I wore a girdle (along with all the other girls as far as I knew— most of whom were very trim like me). It was just what you wore - along with a slip of course - as pants weren’t allowed in our school then. And God forbid, anyone could see light between your legs! I recently ran across an old pic of myself as a senior and I was surprised at how trim and fit I looked! So was it the girdle? Or could it be that yes - I was shamed into feeling that my body could never be good enough by just the patriarchal system you have so beautifully illustrated here?
Radical acceptance of my body and body positivity is a goal I’m always reaching for. When I was a teenager, I was as thin as I’ve ever been, but that was the ‘70s, and girls wore hip-hugger jeans, halter tops, and had long, straight hair. My body didn’t quite fit that look—my hips were too wide, my waist was too short, and I didn’t have enough bust to fill a halter top. One summer, I went to a party in the heat and wore a girdle under my sundress because I felt like I needed to squeeze in whatever fat I had around my middle and hips. I always admired the girls who seemed so comfortable in short shorts and tank tops. Summer has never been comfortable for me, and I blame the Sears catalog and all the skinny models, TV and all the skinny sitcom stars. I also blame my mom, who was always on a diet, so I was conditioned to be the same.
Now, I’m trying to embrace my grandma body, but if I have to dress up, I wear a modern shapewear— I call it my sausage casing— and I need my wife’s help to pull it on, tucking in my back fat. It’s more comfortable than that teen girdle, but it’s just as oppressive.
I love your writing, it really resonates with me!
Carrie, thank you so much. You've shared a feeling so many of us experienced when we were young...and I recommend burning the sausage casing. Let's have a group bonfire. We'd put some people out of business for sure. Thank you for reading and commenting.
So so true Carrie. I thought about this just the other day when I put on an outfit and said to myself after that I would have looked better if I’d had the Spanx on! And then thought to myself - how different is that then when I wore a girdle in high school? (Granted they were MUCH more controlling - but the same idea - “I’m not OK just the way I am”). It’s profound after all these years that these notions of “not good enough” still linger and taunt us.
Absolutely. and Mary Anne, you look fabulous no matter what. No Spanx. And what a name for a product!
OMG - really - who's spanking who?
Damn. You are good. I need help with Substack. I am confused by this platform but would like to make it work!
Love this Pink Ice girdle prison commentary🩷
Oh, Kitty. I'd like to take one of those Pink-Ice tubes and beat Don Draper about the face and head with it until he's rendered unconscious. And all the other admen whose job was to demean women with their ridiculous lies. Fuck the patriarchy. My grandmother wore a girdle for most of her adult life. I hated hugging her when she was dressed. Her squishiness would go missing. Love this.
Thanks, Nan! When I woke up this morning, I didn't know I'd read the sentence "Her squishiness would go missing." Made my day!
Isn't it nice when life hands you those little suprises? Almost takes your mind off the the cray-cray that's happening all around us. But then, something happens that halts my reverie and I'm reminded of the patriarchy of dunces, and it all goes to shit.
But, just so you know, I'm committed to staying as squishy as possible. It runs in my family. My grandmother would be mortified if she knew my plans, so let's just keep it between us, okay? xo And please say hey to Cuddy!