Girdle Wearers in 1963

Every so often, we will return to 1963, the golden year of girdle wearing, and introduce you to the quintessential girdle wearing woman.

Lady Nora Docker  (1906 - 1983)

Aged 57 in 1963, she would have been a girdle wearer and not just any girdle, but the top of the range. Possibly a Spirella wearer like many well-off middle class ladies of that era, but she might just consider Spirella a bit 'common' and purchase her foundations from Rigby & Peller.

Phyllis Nan Sortain Pechey (1909 – 1994)

Aged 54 in 1963, she would have been a another girdle wearer in her cocktail gown days and quite probably the girdle would be a confection from one of the top London corsetieres. Sadly, she would end up wearing mildly elastic underpants like her peers, although she still might call it a girdle.

Brenda Doreen Mignon de Banzie (1909 – 1981) 

Another 54-year-old in 1963, she would not have been seen dead without her girdle or even something a bit more substantial under that (ever so slightly OOT) gown (below left).

Moira Lister Gachassin-Lafite, Viscountess of Orthez  (1923 - 2007)

Moira Lister was an excellent actress with a broad range of talents. Turning 40 in 1963, girdles and probably basques or strapless corselettes for the gorgeous satin gown in the Cruel Sea (1953) would be no mystery to her.

Her character in the Cruel Sea is, well, judge for yourselves.

Her wealthy barrister husband (Morrell) has returned on leave from Atlantic convoy duty during World War II. It is his last night and he wants to spend it with her, but she has to go to a party. She is an actress and it is 'important for her career'.

"Can't you cancel it."

"Oh please don't spoil the end of your leave for me" she simpers, patting her immaculate hair. "Oh dear, I look a mess!" She obviously looks radiantly beautiful and leaves her poor husband with the thought of another month's convoy duty ahead.

The phone rings and the husband picks it up "Hello Elaine Darling. Have you got rid of that clot of a husband yet?"

His ship is torpedoed and he ends up in the ocean. He has little to live for and dies.

Vanda Godsell  (1922 - 1990)

Vanda Godsell, doyenne of the 1960s British B-movie represented the wealthy, middle-class, slightly neurotic and over-bearing matron. She reminds me of some of my parents’ friends. Most definitely tightly girdled through the 50s and 60s. At 41, she was a prime candidate for the Spirella sales lady.

Ethel Agnes ZimMermann (1909 - 1984)

Growing old loudly, the well-girdled and uncompromising Ethel Merman could still belt out songs well into her 70s. Americana mermenensis, the quintessential 1963 matriarch - all mouth and girdle.

Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell (1921 - 2011)

Allegedly discovered by Howard Hughes who designed a cantilevered brassiere for her ample bosom. However, this is a legend that has persisted despite the fact that her bosom was quite average.

The bra was to 'make mountains out of molehills' as they say, the pneumatic bosom being de rigeur at the time in Hollywood. Girdles and corsets were apparent in several of her films and she advertised brassieres for Playtex.

Maureen O'Hara (née Fitzsimons 1909 - 1984)

A Red-haired, fiery, Irish, handsome woman with more than enough spirit to earn John Wayne's affection "She's a great guy!"

Lucille Désirée Ball (1911 - 1989)

Actress, comedian, producer, and studio executive. She was recognized by Time in 2020 as one of the most influential women of the 20th century for her work in all four of these areas.

Lois Ruth Maxwell (née Hooker) (1927 - 2007)

Lois Maxwell was by far the most adventurous character in real life of all the Bond stars. In her late 30s in the early 1960s, what else would the secretary to the Head of MI6 wear but a girdle. All her peers would do so as well.

Cathleen Nesbitt (1888 - 1982)

Miss Nesbitt was 73 when she appeared in the Parent Trap (1961) with the girdle-wearing Maureen O'Hara and Hayley Mills.

Apart from girdles, there were plenty of other impedimenta that we wore in the early 1960s - petticoats. Doyennes of the petticoat were Alma Cogan, Dusty Springfield and Helen Shapiro. Of course with that huge flare of nylon and taffeta, no control of your hips was necessary, however, a light girdle or suspender belt was required to hold up your stockings.

Pamela Margaret Elizabeth Berry, Baroness Hartwell 

(née Smith, 1914 – 1982)

An English socialite, known for her political salon. 

She also presided over the Incorporated Society of London Fashion Designers and was active in the British section of the Franco-British Council, working to promote British fashions internationally, hence her presence with the Queen Mother during fashion shows.