The corset is the foundation of beauty!

The corset is an interesting garment, which to most people in our modern world seems a very strange piece of underwear. We have all heard about the times when women were encased in long stiff corsets, reduced to nothing but objects of beauty, unable to perform any task. This is, however, only a part of the historical facts about that time - and about corsets.

When talking corsetry, the most interesting period of fashion is the period from 1820 to about 1910. But the corset is much older than that. In Europe, it has been in general use as an undergarment since the middle ages, but it probably dates several thousands of years back. The corset has at all times been used for shaping the body, most often for compressing the waist, but sometimes for raising the bust. A compelling question is of course, how tightly were the corsets laced? There are many reports of waists between 18" - 14", even 12" waists are mentioned. (Guinness Record: Ethel Granger 13"). However, it is believed that most accounts of these very small waists represent fantasies.

Measurements of corsets in museum collections indicate that most corsets of the period 1860 to 1910 measured from 20" - 22". Furthermore, those sizes do not indicate how tightly the corsets were laced. They could easily have been laced out by several inches, and probably were, because it was prestigious to buy small corsets. So ordinary corsets were not so tight after all, and contrary to common belief, the construction of the corset with the metal busk for front closure and the lacing in the back, enabled the bearer to lace herself in. She did not need a maid or husband to help her. Severe tight-lacing was practiced, and some corsetieres specialized in cultivating very small waists. Corsets have a long history and are probably the most controversial garment in the entire history?




"Enjoy and keep always laced with love",

Copyright © 2009, Miss Paula Holland & Team.