Who doesn't want to look like Marilyn?

June 27, 2007 12:13 AM

Aren't bullet bras and girdles uncomfortable? Welcome to retro fashion; - What Katie Did by Casting Couch. From bullet bras to vintage skivvies and Girdles to Stilettos.
posted by adamvasco (16 comments total)

'Islands in the Net' by Bruce Sterling.
He foresaw the vintage becoming again a strong fashion statement of the future.
posted by supyo at 12:33 AM on June 27, 2007

I'm pretty sure these aren't in the true style of the 1950's. I happen to think they're immeasurably tacky. Unless placed in non-symmetrical positions. That could make a June Cleaver ensemble.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:36 AM on June 27, 2007

Stilettos

How sick is it that I'm watching "Married with Children" when I see this link?

That first shoe is awesome, though. Use once and destroy.
posted by Clave at 1:31 AM on June 27, 2007

"these"

AAAUUUUUGGGGHHHH!


Mark my words, somebody is going to lose an eye.
posted by louche mustachio at 4:43 AM on June 27, 2007

I can't read most of the links (WebSense seems to think they're porntastic), but:

Aren't bullet bras and girdles uncomfortable?

Not particularly, as long as they fit properly. The versions made with modern textiles are also often more comfortable than the 1950's versions, as we've got better strong stretch fabrics to take the place of some of the boning.
posted by Karmakaze at 6:00 AM on June 27, 2007

I'm fond of Cameo Intimates. It's not all retro, but the retro-inspired styles come in fun colors and patterns. They'll also do custom pieces or simply a bit of custom fitting to existing pieces.

Also, Rago girdles are available on Ebay for waaaay less money than on the themed web sites.
posted by houseofdanie at 6:45 AM on June 27, 2007

Those aren't stilettos. These are stilettos!

I love love love the retro stuff - sure, the time that those looks were in is certainly not an era to glamourize, but I can enjoy the aesthetic without espousing the politics. Doing retro hair would be too much for me though.
posted by arcticwoman at 7:22 AM on June 27, 2007

Who cares if they're uncomfortable if they look this good?
posted by suki at 7:46 AM on June 27, 2007

What does it say about me that instead of ogling the models on the "What Katie Did" page, I'm fuming about their inability to spell "heroine" correctly?
posted by Rangeboy at 8:03 AM on June 27, 2007 [1 favorite]

I had a pretty awesome vintage bathing suit with the bullet-bra silhouette one summer - it was bar none, the most flattering suit I ever wore.

But that was also in '99, back when the whole "Bettie Page revival" thing wasn't completely played out. I thought all this stuff stopped being cool when swing dancing stopped being trendy.
posted by mckenney at 8:11 AM on June 27, 2007

Not to be confused with cone bras of the same vintage.

Punitive shoes is another site for extreme stilletos, previously discussed here. Or for the more mundane among us, there is the wonderful virtual shoe museum.
posted by madamjujujive at 8:26 AM on June 27, 2007

Some of my faves.
posted by madamjujujive at 8:30 AM on June 27, 2007

mckenney, I must be behind the times, because this is the first I've heard of the '50s vintage movement. It's pretty cool to find people who not only think that style is neat, but cater to it.
posted by Anonymous at 8:46 AM on June 27, 2007

"Our heroins decide to have a nice picnic in the countryside."

Unfortunately it was a wasted effort.
posted by scalefree at 9:27 AM on June 27, 2007 [1 favorite]

mckenney, swing dancing is trendy again. It's the third swing "revival" in my adult lifetime. Which would be OK if people didn't act like it is all some great new fad that has never swept the Nation multiple times already.
posted by oneirodynia at 2:44 PM on June 27, 2007

schroedinger: there was a significant Rockabilly scene in the early eighties that spawned the Stray Cats, Chris Isaac, and all sorts of other less worthwhile musical acts and hideous fake bowling shirts and poodle skirts. It seems that after about 20 years stuff seems to cycle back into view.
posted by oneirodynia at 2:52 PM on June 27, 2007