I interviewed Madelyn Hochstein, head of the research firm DYG (Dan Yankelovich) in 1990. She was an expert on the research about how the 1960s changed how Americans behaved. I asked her about changes and instead of bringing up political issues or drug use or free sex etc., she brought up girdles.

It is difficult to pinpoint an exact year when the highest percentage of American women wore girdles but they were most popular between the 1940s and the early 1960s. Girdles, which are undergarments used to shape and support the waist and hips, were an essential part of women's fashion during this period. The popularity of girdles began to decline with the advent of pantyhose and a shift towards more comfortable and less restrictive clothing.

There are several reasons why women stopped wearing girdles.
Cultural shift: The 1960s feminist movement and the sexual revolution contributed to a shift in attitudes towards women's roles in society and their freedom to choose their own clothing. As a result women began to reject restrictive and uncomfortable clothing, such as girdles, in favor of more comfortable and liberating options.

During the 1960s fashion trends moved towards looser, more casual clothing. Mini-skirts, A-line dresses and pants became increasingly popular, making girdles less necessary for achieving a desired silhouette.

The "burn the bra" movement is associated with the feminist movement of the late 1960s particularly with the protest actions against the Miss America Pageant in 1968. In fact, there are very few documented instances of actual bra burning.

The protest against the Miss America Pageant was organized by a group of feminists who aimed to challenge societal norms and expectations placed on women at the time, such as beauty standards, objectification, and traditional gender roles. They set up a "Freedom Trash Can" in which they discarded items they considered symbolic of women's oppression, including bras, girdles, high-heeled shoes, and beauty products.

The term "burn the bra" became a popular catchphrase and media sensation. It sought to empower women to challenge traditional norms, assert their independence, and embrace their own identities, free from societal constraints.

Pantyhose were introduced in the late 1950s and became increasingly popular in the 60s. Pantyhose provided some of the shaping and support benefits of girdles but were more comfortable and less restrictive. As pantyhose gained popularity, the demand for girdles declined.

Newer fabrics with built-in stretch and support became available making it possible to create garments that provided shaping and support without the need for a separate girdle. This made girdles less necessary and contributed to their decline in popularity.

Madelyn Hochstein was an expert in understanding social change, consumer attitudes, and behavior. Her firm conducted custom research and provided strategic insights to help clients make informed decisions about their products, services and communications. Her team was known for their expertise in studying generational trends social values, and lifestyle patterns.

I would like to thank the companies who place ads on this video. It might be of help to you depending on what you are searching. Marena Compression garment. Marena Girdle. Victoria's Secret girdle. Spanz compression garment. pantyhose. Sheertex nylons. Spanx Open toe pantyhose. Belly Bandit Girdle. Women's fashion. Women's fashion history.