I have always adored c.1940s women's fashion. I am particularly interested in the nature of the underwear/shapewear that you mentioned.

In the 1940s fashion was about using shapewear to sculpt the body. Underwear such as the corset and girdle were standard pieces worn everyday. In this context, it was the shape and tailoring of the silhouette cast rather than the clothes worn.

This is why I find stars such as Dita von Teese far more interesting than any of the Victoria's Secret Angels. Dita is very sensual and pin-up, but her sexuality is expressed through costume, makeup and art.

In the case of the Victorias Secret models, although I think they are beautiful I find it hard comparing myself to a scantily clad 6 ft model who weighs less than 50 kilos. It leaves little to the imagination.

Which is what I admire Dita for: I've never heard, been told, bothered to google or enquire about her weight or height. Its that impression, allusion she leaves that I badly want to recreate myself. Its that 1940s image where sexuality is a heightened experience created through calculated clothing and conduct; not merely a height to weight ratio as it seems to be today.