Longline Bras Got Me Hooked on Shapewear

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I have very strong negative reactions to being squished into uncomfortable clothing, so it's of some surprise to those who know me that my favorite item in my closet these days is the longline bra.

A staple of the ‘50s, the longline bra is a bra that extends to the bottom of your rib cage, effectively sucking in your waist to its smallest natural size. It's more shapewear than your standard bra, but not the amount of shape you'd get with a corset. Rago Shapewear has been making this, among other great underwear, for 65 years, and the brand is very good at it.

The thick band at the bottom and hefty straps at the top of its longline bra gives full support to larger-breasted women — never mind the fantastic waist-carving elastic midsection that’s perfect for anyone interested in wearing a dress with a nipped-in waist shape.

This bra hooks in the back, and takes some getting used to. And because, like I mentioned above, it's somewhere between a bra and a corset, it's great entry-level shapewear for anyone looking to create a retro waistline.