Welcome to Fashion Friday, where we take a look at an item or aspect of 19th century fashion. I haven’t done one of these in a while, but Jenny Hansen’s recent celebration of National Underwear Day set off a flurry of “undie” posts by fab writers August McLaughlin, Natalie Hartford, and Julie Glover, so here’s my contribution to the “undie” blogging celebration, 19th century style.
And of course, we have to talk about corsets, since it’s the most widely-recognized historical undergarment for women.
What associations come to mind when you think of corsets?
Victorian…Prim and Proper…
or
…”Loose Stays, Loose Woman”…
or
…Mammy pulling laces with all her might…
or, maybe
…Distorted rib cage
…Threat to female health and free movement
…Fad over common sense
Although the corset wasn’t invented in the 19th century – it goes back at least as far as the Renaissance – we still associate it with that time period.
To say that it was uncomfortable would be an understatement. Women were known to faint during a tight lacing session; it inhibited movement, even comfortable sitting. However, only a small number of 19th century contemporaries were sounding the alarm about this particular female undergarment. In the mid-19th century, corsets were still considered important to female health and good posture. In fact, many corset products were named a “health corset.” Some in the medical community deemed it imperative that a woman be properly supported, and prevailing opinion held that a woman’s posture, and therefore her internal organs, might otherwise suffer.
There were even maternity corsets:
Of course, once a woman had worn a corset for most of her life, the muscles in her back and abdomen would become weakened from lack of use. Then it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy: she truly does need a corset for support.
Want more info?
The Corset Trade in the Later 19th century (an interesting economic angle regarding the use of corsets).
So, what do you see currently being done for the sake of beauty today, to the detriment of women’s (or men’s) health? Was there any fashion discomfort you put up with when you were younger that no one could pay you enough to revisit now? I’d love to hear from you!
Hang on to those undies,
Kathy
I haven’t done it – but Botox! EVIL….
Ewww, I know, it makes me shudder just thinking about it. Let’s use a poison to paralyze muscles in the face. Gorgeous. Great example.
Thanks, Tiffany, for your comment!
Those absolutely ridiculous porn star shoes that are currently being marketed as “empowering” but are impossible to walk in. Nothing quite as embarrassing as watching women teeter-totter around in 10 inch heels, except perhaps realising that they believe they are “empowered.”
And then they either fall and injure themselves, or wind up with shortened Achilles’ tendons and messed-up feet in their old age. Great example. Thanks so much, Sunny. Glad you stopped by!
Being a Civil War reenactor, I’ve worn an authentic corset many times. Honestly, I don’t know how they did it back then. I have a hard time wearing it for a evening event or a ball. Not comfortable at all! Forget eating!
I think underwire bras are a fashion we must put up with to make our “girls” look good.
I was wondering, Loree, about your experiences with authentic costume. At least you didn’t have to cinch your corset to 16 inches, right? Nevertheless, I don’t know how you do it! I agree – some of those push-up bras are ridiculous. Underwires are necessary from some ladies though. *cough*
Thanks so much for stopping by and giving us the benefit of your experience!
Hi Kathy,
I have to wonder about all the breast implants being done these days. There have been some horror stories about some – silicone leaking into the breast tissue, etc. But aside from all that, what will these women look like when they reach 80 years old? Everything else will be sagging, except for their perky breasts.
http://nancylauzon.blogspot.com/
LOL! Not a pretty image. I agree, and have always wondered why that’s legal. Crazy stuff. Thanks, Nancy!
Argh! Can you imagine wearing these on a regular basis? I wore one for my wedding and couldn’t WAIT to get out of the thing. Blarg.
LOVE the images you posted. Great read!
Wow, more wedding-related under-garment horror stories! …I wonder if there’s a post in there somewhere. I’ll bet someone else couldn’t wait for you to get out of the thing, either, LOL. 😉 Thanks for the visit, Myndi!
I believe that I read somewhere that women also had ribs removed to give themselves that “wasp waist” look. Sheesh.
There are all kinds of things we do to our bodies, or wear on them, in the name of style. Coloring hair, plucking/shaving hair in the wrong place, tattooing, piercing . . . the list is endless.
Of course, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with BLING! *cough-cough*
Bling is absolutely encouraged, Amy! In my research I even ran across corset “piercings” – that’s where a woman has multiple pierced rings down her back, through which she threads ribbon to look like corset lacings. Super yuck! Oh, and I found out on Jenny’s post today that you did a super-cool post on undies, too! Can you put up the link for us here? I’m having trouble finding it. Thanks!
Ugh! I despise corsets. I actually wore one of my mothers underneath a bridesmaids dress and I had problems breathing all night. It was a legitimate one made of whale bone! Of course it was created by a man. Tsk tsk tsk.
I’m so glad I wasn’t born inn the time of the corset. I don’t think I could have managed. I do own a gorgeous bedazzled one but it’s never tied that tight…LOL!! It’s for looks only, no waist-cinching here. HAHA!
I always wonder to about women wearing insane shoes. I mean, I like my heels but if I can’t bend my knees and walk normal, what’s the point?!?! And then wearing shoes that are too small cause small feet are “cuter”??? I heard in China they sometimes bind girls feet to stop them from growing…OUCH!!
GREAT post Kathy…and thanks for the UBER shout out…squeee!!!
You bet, Natalie! And I hear ya on the heels…they look cute, but some of them are over-the-top when it comes to walking, LOL.
Ah, the corset. The predecessor to the girdle and now spandex! Oh, how things have changed. But at least we can breathe now! 🙂
Yay for breathing! 😉
I love reading he ad for the corset, “will suit you if your figure is full and you do not require or wish a high bust corset.” And weren’t those pictures scandulous in those days? Too funny.
I don’t follow beauty trends, but being from California I know there’s a lot of emphasis placed on liposuction, breast implants, botox and other such nonsense. Not to mention tanning beds. I’ve used tanning beds a few times in my life, but my goodness, some women take that to the extreme. None of that can be healthy in my opinion.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
I agree, Patricia! And not only in California, either. It’s sad to think of these ladies doing that to themselves.
I did not know that ads back in those days could be so risque.
Hmmmmm. So, would I want a woman in an “American Lady” or a “High-Bust” corset? I’ll have to think about that.
Okay, I’m done thinking. Funny how the word ‘drab’ did not have the negative connotation it has now acquired.
>>>>> RANT ALERT <<<<<
I am totally anti- pierce, tattoo, Botox, collagen, implant, cosmetic surgery, lipo etc.
The fact that they have cable shows dedicated to this stuff is really sad. Actually, rather than 'anti- ' I should probably say I am totally uninterested in it — and the women who women who decorate themselves that way.
But a loose stay? That I can appreciate.
The looser the better, right, Bill? 😉 I completely agree with your rant, and I’m glad you fellas don’t get that crazy.
I have wondered if Spanx isn’t the modern equivalent of a corset. It squeezes everything in to give you an hourglass figure, right? Given all of the muffin tops I see around (including my own), I don’t think many women would be interested in wearing a corset. Fascinating as always…
I only recently heard of Spanx. What a weird S&M kind of name!
A maternity corset? Seriously? . . . I find that a fascinating time period, but I’m so glad I was born post-corset. Love your Fashion Fridays.
I’m with ya on that one, Piper! Thanks for stopping by. 😀
Brilliant post! I have thought about doing something similar but for ancient and medieval time period and not just limited to fashions. Very cool. Thanks for the info. I love history. I can’t think of anything beyond what has already been mentioned, the Botox, the heels… maybe the cosmetic surgeries. It is so interesting what people have done throughout history in regards to beauty.
🙂
Oh, Jennette, you should definitely do a post on the ancients and their beauty secrets! I’ld love to see that.
Great post, Kathy. I can’t believe the Victorian people didn’t make the connection between the corsets and all the fainting. Dita von Teese and Madonna are making corsets vogue again. Thank goodness they’re not laced as tight as they were in the old days. From personal experience I can say that a modern corset is still not comfy.
Some women are crazy about their looks with all the high heels and cosmetic surgery. I browsed a few issues local magazine aimed for older ladies, filled with luxury brand ads and every issue featured articles about making yourself looking younger with a surgeon’s knife. Ugh.
Great point, Reetta! And you notice that the men’s magazines don’t really have that sort of thing…maybe pills or hair dye, but nothing as drastic as what are offered to women. *shudder* Thanks for stopping by!