In my ongoing quest to find a great vintage appropriate bra I decided recently to order what seems to be another favorite of the online pin up and vintage scene, the Rago long line.
The Rago long line certainly has a lot going for it, the lace looks pretty and feminine, there is no underwire (and though a DD myself, I found it wasn't missed), and the side smoothing it provides (as seen--well sorta, in the photo above under a thin sweater) is super great. On the less positive side I do find the fabric of the cups to be less soft/comfortable than most other bra's I've owned, the straps are set quite on the middle of the shoulder towards the neck so they would be visible with many necklines, and then despite the straps being set so central the cups definitely separate the girls quite a lot! More than I'm used to at least. The shape of the cups seems less conical/vintage than the Bali Flower and they are set a bit farther apart. Though I like the side smoothing of the Rago long line, I find myself wishing there was a combination of the Bali flower cups and straps with the long line shaping of the Rago. I also feel like the Bali flower also makes look a bit smaller on top, which I appreciate, and the Rago doesn't have the same effect or look to me. Both have the lift to make my waist seem trimmer somehow so that I do like! I think the Rago long line will definitely stay in my lingerie wardrobe, but it is not as super crazy great as I had hoped it would be.
The Rago Extra Firm Shaping Thigh Slimmer (just call it a girdle, honestly) has the same pretty lace styling and matches the long line bra perfectly. The two together provide a very smooth foundation that would be great for bombshell dresses, they give you a very hugged/locked in feel (in a good way?). The thigh slimmer has metal garter clips for wearing stockings which were a nice feature, but the sticky weird gel-ish stuff they add to the underside of the leg openings (to hold up stockings I assume, or just keep things from moving around) does feel odd and I personally am not a fan of that feature. I haven't worn the thigh slimmer out for a full evening or anything yet so I can't really speak to it's longtime comfort, but I would say it is not as comfortable as spanx or the like. It really pairs best with the long line bra and as a set they make a great foundation if not the most comfortable one! Pain is beauty or something like that I suppose ;)
I definitely like both of these Rago pieces, and will get use of both with how often I wear slim dresses. Niether will be my end-of-the-search winners, and I think I'll try the most expensive option yet, the , for my next adventure in vintage style lingerie. What are some of your favorite vintage shaped/styled lingerie options? Let me know in the comments as I am always on the look out!
Have you ever tried anything from What Katie Did (http://www.whatkatiedid.com)? They specialize in vintage style lingerie. I tried on the bullet and cone bra in their London store a few months ago. Those didn't work for my A-cup (I went with their more 'normal' underwire bra instead, which has not quite such a vintage shape but did look great on me) but a lot of ladies who love their mid-20th-century vintage look great in them. And WKD also makes retro shape wear.
ReplyDeleteI tried the What Katie Did 1940's style bra, but it was much too small for me and I'm afraid they just don't make things in my size! Hopefully they expand into more sizes someday, and I think I'd have to shop in person to try things on. I do love their back seamed tights though!
DeleteGah, they look great but don't come anywhere near my size! That's a lovely set.
ReplyDeleteThe closest I come to vintage lingerie is the good old Triumph Doreen; brands that specialise in vintage styles don't do large enough cups.
That's how I feel about What Katie Did, I've had more luck with the "granny" bras having larger sizes and retro shapes. I want to try the Doreen next, its been on my wishlist for ages!
DeleteI want to try a longline bra at some stage. I find reproduction underwear doesn't come in my size so I have better luck with 'old lady' styles of regular brands. I'm with Mim on the greatness of the Triumph Doreen. I wear mine all the time. Their only downside is the cups come up quite high so they won't fit under all necklines.
ReplyDeleteI do like the "old lady" styles, they are perfectly old fashioned! I really want to try the Doreen next.
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