There’s a lot to be said for a good vintage reproduction.
Reproduction garments are new and shiny, and have never been worn. Their elastic is not 50 years old. They are less delicate. You can pick your size. You can sometimes even choose the color!
And yet, I don’t buy much repro, mostly because of the cost. However, there are some brands I like.
Merchants With Which I Have Experience
Rago is not technically a reproduction brand–they’ve just been making stuff since 1945. A lot of it is pretty much the same. My (used) Rago cincher-girdle-thing is this one. It does the mid-century job. This is shape wear that does not mess.
Your basic stockings. Ubiquitous to costume shops and sex stores. I think they’re overpriced, but it’s convenient if you need to pick up a pair of stockings in real life.
Not just the world’s garage sale–there are sellers of reproduction lingerie! Some of my favorites have been:
Europastyle0092–Good quality steel-boned corsets at an unbeatable price.
Handmade Petticoats–I love my petticoat from this seller–a collective of sewing ladies in Wales–and their prices are very reasonable. Goodness knows I don’t want to gather all that organza!
Brands I Don’t Have, but Have Seen Up Close and Covet
If I were going to spend significant money on vintage reproduction lingerie, this is where I would. They have a variety of period-appropriate silhouettes in period-appropriate colors and it’s so purty I can hardly stand it. But I refuse to spend $50 on a pair of tap pants. That’s just not going to happen.
A wide selection of corset styles, and they’re well made and sturdy. Many colors and fabrics, sometimes good deals to be found in their clearance section. I don’t wear corsets enough to need more than one, at present.
Any good sources I missed?
Secrets in lace is great for quality girdles, bullet bras, and fully fashioned stockings. Kiss me deadly is beautiful and has the mid century look, but the quality isn’t there if you’re spoiled on Rago. Dollhouse Bettie and Dottie’s Delights also both deserve a shoutout for beautiful (spendy) vintage style beauties.
Great list! Some that jump out at me are the US brand Maddy James for lounge and sleep wear (I have a pair of their pj’s), Pettiskirt Style for crinolines (I have several and love them to bits), Hell Bunny’s crinolines (two so far, both also winners) – which are very full, and Sears for classic long line bras and shapewear from a variety of brands.
♥ Jessica
I’ve found lots of great vintage cookware on Etsy, and from doing a quick search of “vintage underwear,” it seems like there are lots of great results.