'The Happy Ending' (1969)

In the late 60s I worked part time for a very nice lingerie shop when I was in college.

When I worked there, I always had to wear a skirt, stockings and heels. This was a time in the US when the long leg panty girdle was very popular. I was full figured from the time I was a teen. I was fitted for a long leg all-in-one and a long leg girdle and two good fitting bras by the owner. I think the brands were Poirette and Berlei. I always had to wear one of these under my dress or skirt. The owner explained that one of the best ways to increase my sales was to show my customers that I was wearing what I recommended.

Once I got comfortable with this, my sales skyrocketed. I also had to get used to holding conversations with a women in just their panties. If I was waiting on an older woman and she would say that I probably didn't even need a girdle I would lift my skirt and show her and then pull my girdle down and show her my belly and bottom, then I would pull it back up and re-hook and zipper it so that I could show her the difference. At first this was a little embarrassing but, when I saw how much more money I was making, it became easier.

If it was a young woman, I did the same thing.  With all that said I really wanted every woman that left the store to feel better about themselves and their appearance. 

I learned so much in the time that I was working for the lingerie store. I remember one woman that came into the store for a bra fitting. She was full figured but, although her breasts were a nice size, I recommended a long line bra that was padded. She couldn't understand why I was showing her padded bras. When I had her undressed, I could see that her hips were bigger than her top and I was trying to achieve a better balance and I could see that she needed a better panty girdle with more control.

As you already know, long leg panty girdles were the thing in the US at that time. Most of us didn't see the need for panties. Because of that we always had a supply of disposable paper panties and panty shields in the fitting rooms. She didn't come in for a girdle but just for a new bra. After I convinced her to at least try on my recommendations she saw the difference. 

She loved the long line bra so much that about two or three weeks later she came in and purchased another bra. She told me that so many of her friends asked her if she lost weight. She was so happy and that made me feel like I accomplished something good. The bra made her top look bigger and that made her bottom look better or not as big. I hope that I am explaining this correctly. 

Long leg all-in-ones became popular for special occasions but they were probably the most difficult to fit and to wear since women are all built differently especially the distance from the bust to the centre of the crotch. If a woman has a large tummy the measurement will change. When it fits properly it really will give a smooth line. They were also expensive but the commissions were good. 

Funny story - when pantyhose were first coming out a friend tried wearing a pair under her long leg all in one under a tight sweater dress when we went to a party. All went well until we both had to tinkle and we went to the bathroom together. She couldn't use the split crotch because of the pantyhose. We went back to regular stockings after that experience.