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Choose the best fit
There are many variations in women's figures and proportions. However, designers of girdles and corsets have typed figures into three classes: the average, full hip, and straight hip. These classifications have nothing to do with size of the body but are determined by the difference between waist and hip measurements.
Size and hip type
To find your girdle size and type, take a snug but not tight measurement at the natural waistline. Measure snugly over the fullest part of the hips, and subtract the waist measurement from the hip measurement (Figure 9).
- If the difference is:
- between 8 and 11 inches—figure is average
- 11 inches or over—figure is a full hip type
- less than 8 inches—figure is a straight hip type
For example, if your waist measurement is 28 inches, and your hip measurement is 38 inches, the difference is 10 inches and you would take an average type girdle. Most women fall into the average type, so there is a larger selection of girdles for this type of figure.
The more rigid girdles and corsets are selected by waist measurement, with a size increase every inch; each size has the three hip types. A woman with a waist measurement of 27 inches and a hip measurement of 40 inches, would select a size 27 in girdle of full hip type.
Two-way stretch girdles are usually labeled small, medium, and large. Some manufacturers make extra small or petite sizes and extra large sizes. Because the two-way stretch does not flatten, a more rigid garment is a better choice for the figure with soft flesh. The two-way stretch usually does not come in different hip types. The large amount of stretch makes it adaptable to many figures. This type of girdle is bought by waist measurement.
- If the waist measures:
- less than 24 inches—buy extra small
- 24 to 26 inches—small
- 26 to 28 inches—medium
- 28 to 30 inches—large
- over 31 inch waist—extra large
