Vintage Lingerie's Best Kept Secret: The Versatile Camisole

If you've never owned a piece of vintage lingerie and need advice as to where to start,  then take it from me and start with a vintage camisole.  This versatile little garment isn't used much by most women today, but it should be.   For the life of me I can't think of why, and if you don't have one in your wardrobe, I think you are missing out on a wonderfully useful and often beautiful, piece of lingerie.  The vintage camisole is vintage lingerie's best kept secret, affordable, versatile and beautiful.     I asked a few shop owners who sell and wear them, what they like best about them and this is what they (& I ) came up with.

Why We Love Vintage Camisoles and You Should, Too

1.)  They Are Easy to Fit Correctly 

 Okay.  This one is mine.  It's the whole size thing,  which frankly, can be very intimidating and an expensive mistake if you get it wrong, as most sellers don't accept returns on vintage clothing.  Camisoles are easy to fit  because their sizes translate to modern sizes.  It's really simple.    If you are 36" at the bust, then look for a 36" bust cami.  Most have adjustable straps and if the measurements are not available and you want to be sure the length will fit you, then just ask the shop owner.  Our shop owners will be happy to take that measurement for you.  Johari of 2Sweet4Words has this amazing one for sale:

Vintage Camisole Victoria's Secret 80s Green Satin Embroidered Lace Old Stock NWT

2.)  They Add an Extra Layer of Warmth

Gracie, of DesertGraceBoutique says, "I have a customer who buys them from me to wear for warmth." You may not be thinking about this in the heat of the summer, but an extra layer of warmth is a very good thing in the winter.  Especially the non-bulky kind.  Who wants to look any thicker than they have to?   We often have to make sacrifices in fashion, to stay warm,  but a camisole keeps you warm and svelt.  Check out this one from DesertGraceBoutique for warmth without the bulk:

Vintage Camisole Pink Lady Cameo Medium

3.)  They Make Your Blouse Look Better

Further, Gracie of DesertGraceBoutique had this to add, "I wear them under my blouses all the time. They are very comfortable and make the blouses look smooth. Also they are great for under sheer blouses."  I have to agree.  In the same way a slip can make an inexpensive dress look like a much higher quality than it actually is, a camisole improves the overall general appearance of the blouse that goes on top of it, by smoothing it out and helping it to lay better.  This one offered by Miss Susanne of ViolaVintageLingerie is just the thing to do the trick:

Vintage Movie Star Lace Camisole Orchid Lace 1960s Pristine Size Large

While some sheer blouses are meant to show a fancy bra off, some of us are a little too shy for that, or the blouse is just a little bit sheer and it looks funny seeing the bra through it.  Camisoles take care of that problem lickety-split.   Further, if one of your blouses is getting a little thread-worn, and your pretty bras are all in the laundry, you can still wear the thread-worn blouse with the utilitarian bra, because no will see it under your very pretty camisole.

4.)  They Protect Sensitive Skin

I love to wear mohair and I especially love the way it looks against bare skin, creating a kind of halo affect.   I wouldn't be able to do this without a camisole between it and me.  Actually, between me and any wool sweater.  Camisoles can stop the itchy-scratchy feeling, or at least greatly reduce it, that comes from wearing a wool sweater without a shirt or turtleneck.  Here's one I have for sale at Medicinew1, that would look so pretty under a mohair sweater that you could even let it show a little...:

Vintage Lingerie Camisole Barbizon 1980's Dead Stock Old New Size Medium

5.)  They Are Pretty Peeking Through

Both Gracie, and Johari of 2Sweet4WordsVintage agree, that wearing a vintage camisole is an easy way to "pretty up" a blouse or outfit.  Just let the lace peek through at the neckline by unbuttoning an extra button or wear them as the undergarment with those nearly unwearable, but oh-s0-fun, deep, deep, deep v-necklines, of those popular 80's cotton, oversized sweaters.  They work great with a boyfriend sweater, too.  Here's an example offered by Toria of RetroGlamVintage:

Vanity Fair Camisole Pink Rose Size 34

6.)  They Can Be Worn as Day or Evening Wear 

Johari, of 2Sweet4WordsVintage thinks they look great in the following combination, "Camisoles are perfect under a blazer or jacket with jeans, with a pair of slacks, (or)  with a pencil skirt." Here's one offered by 2Sweet4Words shown with a sexy pair of slacks:

80s Satin Camisole with Pleated Bodice

  Miss Susanne of ViolaVintageLingerie agrees, "I wear them with sheer tops & my jeans."   They easily transition from day wear to evening wear as Gracie suggests, "Some of them can be worn alone with a jacket for evening, like this one:

Vintage 80's Frederick's of Hollywood Camisole Size Large

and even this one: ".

Lace Victoria's Secret Camisole Size Small

   I, personally, love that they perform double duty.  Actually, it's more like triple duty.  They can be worn as day , evening or under wear.  How many other wardrobe items can you say that about?

7.)  They Can REALLY be Worn in the Evening...

Bed time, that is.   Both, Johari and Gracie wear them to sleep in.  Sounds like a good idea to me, but if you intend to do that, I'd choose one without slides on the straps, like this beautiful one from RetroGlamVintage:

Vintage 1970s Black Olga Camisole size 34

8.)  They Don't Break the Bank

Last, but not least, vintage camisoles are still extremely affordable, dare I say, cheap even.  Check out the price on this fabulous puppy:

Vintage Camisole Red Size Medium by Body Chic

Gracie adds that, "I have had people tell me that new cami's are hard to find, expensive and not nearly as beautiful as vintage camisoles.  I believe it is true, older lingerie is so beautiful and detailed."  Sounds like vintage camisoles are a pretty sweet deal, but for how much longer?  Once the word gets out, I'm sure the prices will start rising.  Better get them while you can....


Well, you can see why I love a great vintage camisole.  There are so many to choose from and in such wonderful colors,  it's hard to pick just one.  But at these prices, I don't have to...and you don't either. (:

XO
Kathy