Post on 06-May-2015
Tight LacedTight Laced
A brief introduction to the A brief introduction to the history of corsetryhistory of corsetry
21/07/201021/07/2010 Stephanie JonesStephanie Jones
BasicBasic concepts concepts
Corset from the Latin ‘corps’ meaning bodyCorset from the Latin ‘corps’ meaning bodyKey components are;Key components are; Fabric- usually something firm.Fabric- usually something firm. Ribs- made from wood ,bone, or metal.Ribs- made from wood ,bone, or metal. Lacing- usually at the back is used to tighten or Lacing- usually at the back is used to tighten or
loosen theloosen the corset.corset. Busk- larger rib at the front. Can be straight or Busk- larger rib at the front. Can be straight or
spoon shaped. Was originally one piece but is spoon shaped. Was originally one piece but is now usually split for easier fastening.now usually split for easier fastening.
21/07/201021/07/2010 Stephanie JonesStephanie Jones
EvolutionEvolution of the corsetof the corset
Minoan corset 1700 b.c.
13-14th century
15-16th century
16th century iron corset
17th century
18th century
19th century
Early 20th century
Late 20th century
21/07/201021/07/2010 Stephanie JonesStephanie Jones
Development of the corset: Development of the corset: part 1part 1
1700b.c.- ancient Minoan 1700b.c.- ancient Minoan artefacts depict women with artefacts depict women with a cinched in waist.a cinched in waist.
1400a.d.- medieval corsets 1400a.d.- medieval corsets where incorporated in to the where incorporated in to the clothing. Stiffened fabric was clothing. Stiffened fabric was laced tightly to the body.laced tightly to the body.
1500a.d.- heavy dress fabrics 1500a.d.- heavy dress fabrics meant that extra support was meant that extra support was needed to enable the wearer needed to enable the wearer to stand upright. The first to stand upright. The first busk was produced in Italy busk was produced in Italy provided this additional provided this additional support.support.
1600a.d.- corsets were 1600a.d.- corsets were constructed of a paste constructed of a paste stiffened linen and were stiffened linen and were supported by busks made of supported by busks made of wood, bone or iron.wood, bone or iron.
21/07/201021/07/2010 Stephanie JonesStephanie Jones
Development of the corset: Development of the corset: part 2part 2
1700a.d.- during the regency 1700a.d.- during the regency period corsets were made of period corsets were made of cotton with less support, cotton with less support, favouring the softer more natural favouring the softer more natural lines that where favourable in lines that where favourable in that period.that period.
1800a.d.- the invention of the 1800a.d.- the invention of the metal eyelet meant that corsets metal eyelet meant that corsets could be laced tighter without could be laced tighter without damaging the fabric. Also the damaging the fabric. Also the busk became split with hooks so busk became split with hooks so the wearer could dress the wearer could dress themselves without the aid of themselves without the aid of servants.servants.
1900a.d.- women developed 1900a.d.- women developed an interest in athletics so an interest in athletics so corsets became lighter with corsets became lighter with little or no boning, at this little or no boning, at this time a boyish silhouette time a boyish silhouette became in vogue so corsets became in vogue so corsets became longer to bring in the became longer to bring in the hips creating less of an hour hips creating less of an hour glass shape.glass shape.
21/07/201021/07/2010 Stephanie JonesStephanie Jones
Specialist corsetsSpecialist corsets
Maternity corset
designed to be worn during pregnancy these corsets laced up at the sides and could beloosened as the abdomen expanded.
Childs corset
Children wore corsets from as early as aged 2. it was used primarily to disciple unruly children as a child in discomfort was less likely to misbehave
Men's corset
From time to time it became fashionable for wealthy men to also wear corsets. Although this was optional and unlike women was not seen as indecent to be without one.
21/07/201021/07/2010 Stephanie JonesStephanie Jones
Decline of the corsetDecline of the corset
During the early years of the 20During the early years of the 20thth centaury health officials called ‘the centaury health officials called ‘the society for rational dress’ launched society for rational dress’ launched a campaign against the corset, a campaign against the corset, believing that it caused a multitude believing that it caused a multitude of illnesses. Mainly organ of illnesses. Mainly organ displacement.displacement.
However recent studies have shown However recent studies have shown that the only health issue there is that the only health issue there is with continuous corset use is with continuous corset use is atrophy, the muscles normally used atrophy, the muscles normally used to support the spine become weak to support the spine become weak due to lack of use.due to lack of use.
Organ displacement is believed to be Organ displacement is believed to be no worse than that experienced no worse than that experienced during pregnancy and just as easily during pregnancy and just as easily reversed.reversed.
21/07/201021/07/2010 Stephanie JonesStephanie Jones
Correlation between wealth, corsets Correlation between wealth, corsets and fainting.and fainting.
Wealthy women were expected to tightly lace their corsets. A
loose corset implied loose morals
The tighter the corset the smaller the chest cavity
became. Leading to shallow breathing and as a result fainting
Frequent fainting spells lead society to believe that women
were weak, and needed corsets to support their fragile frame
21/07/201021/07/2010 Stephanie JonesStephanie Jones
Corsets the RenaissanceCorsets the Renaissance
The corset made a come back duringthe 1980s thanks to designer Jean PaulGautier designing the costumes for Madonna’s Blonde Ambition tour,leading to many other designers using corset style lacing and boning in their designs.
Corsets today are most popular amongst fetishists especially those who practice waist training. The ultimate goal is to achieve the smallest waist possible. Most notably is Cathie Jung who has earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the smallest waist at 13 inches.
21/07/201021/07/2010 Stephanie JonesStephanie Jones
ReferencesReferences
Corsets; historical patterns a Corsets; historical patterns a techniques- Jill Salentechniques- Jill Salen
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