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A Merry Widow is a foundation garment that smooths the waist and stomach while pushing up the bust. It is worn on formal occasions or as elegant lingerie and is compared to a corset. It was initially designed by Maidenform for a 1952 film and has long garter straps. Women should try it on before buying.
A Merry Widow is a foundation garment for women that is designed to smooth the waist and stomach area while pushing up the bust. It is one of a series of garments designed for this purpose. Such support garments have largely gone out of style for everyday wear, but are worn on formal occasions or as elegant lingerie. Many lingerie stores carry a selection of such underwear, and women should try one on if they are thinking of buying it to make sure the fit is comfortable and the garment looks good.
The garment is often compared to a corset, as both garments have a rigid base. However, a merry widow is not designed to buckle up as tightly as a corset. The garment begins at the chest and ends at the top of the hips. It has half cups to support the breasts and long garter straps that the stockings can be attached to. The garment usually closes with a concealed zipper and is not very adjustable.
Initially, the Merry Widow was a trademark of the famous Maidenform company, which designed it for the role of Lana Turner in a 1952 film of the same name. The name became popular as more were made for the general public, and Maidenform eventually lost the trademark. Apparently Turner complained about the garment during filming, as his was quite uncomfortable. “I’m telling you,” Turner is reported to have proclaimed, “the Merry Widow was designed by a man. A woman would never do that to another woman.
Turner’s merry widow was made with contrasting panels in different colors of fabric. Many commercial versions are made from a solid fabric print, which can be lace, brocade, silk, or velvet, depending on the design intent. One that is designed to be worn under clothing, such as a wedding dress, tends to be simple so it won’t interrupt the lines of a dress. When a company intends the garment to be worn over other clothing, or as a stand-alone lingerie piece, it can be more richly embroidered and decorated.
As with other base and support garments, it’s very important to try on a Merry Widow before you buy. Most are bra size, so women should make sure they know their size so they can choose one that fits correctly. Since the garment is not very adjustable, it is important that it is comfortable when the woman tries it on.
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