Madame Pirie has been helping women find the perfect fit for more than 75 years! We’ve come a long way from longline bras and girdles when we opened in 1945. Our founder Pearl Spitzer wanted to help women find the perfect fitting undergarments so they could feel confident in their clothes.
Madam Pirie began in the pin up era, when women achieved shapely figures with nylon and polyester girdles. The 1950’s brought back major curves and Madame Pirie helped women find the perfect padded longline bra and shaping girdles.
One of our original advertisements from the 1950’s features a woman in a longline bra. On the right it reads “The bra that makes you feel like the alluring woman you are…Escapade by Formaid. Escapade’s four light plastic panels take inches off your waistline. In fine white cotton. Sizes 32-44, A, B,C, D cups.” The cost was advertised at $5.95. Below reads “NOW available in a many-purpose, reusable black lace plastic case at no extra cost. Perfect as a lingerie case, to carry cosmetics, and for dozens of other uses.”
In the 1960’s control pantyhose replaced girdles. To this day Madame Pirie sells high-quality panty hose, including Spanx.
Fast forward to the 1980’s and 1990’s when corsets came back into style. Corsets even started being worn on the outside of clothes as a fashion statement. Madame Pirie has a wide selection of corsets ranging from sizes 32 to 56.
In the 2000s shapewear changed forever when Sara Blakely created Spanx. Spanx offered a much soft but supportive feel without the pinching on skin.
Today waist cinchers/trainers are all the rage. Madame Pirie has a vide selection of waist trainers/cinchers as well as all other shapewear.
Today our shapewear varies from full body that covers the back of the shoulders to just above the knees, to just a tank top or underwear style. Come in and see us for the right fitting shapewear for your needs. Whether you have a special occasion coming up of you just want to feel better under your clothes, let us measure you properly for the perfect fitting garment. Walk ins are welcome but you can also make an appointment.