Pictures of corsets and corselettes and how they have affected fashion over the past 150 years.
Fashion changes - sometimes dramatically, sometimes in increments. One of the biggest changes in fashion has been the use of the corset and corselette. While corsets are sometimes worn today - by both men and women for (usually) medical reasons - the corset historically has been a fashion statement. When teeny tiny waists were in vogue, a corset was de riguer. A corset minimized the waist and therefore, by contrast, maximized the bust and hips. For most people today, the silhouette created by a corset looks odd but in the past, it looked "womanly". A corselette was less restrictive in the waist and hips and included a bra component.
When were corsets worn? Originally quilted waistcoats, French women, as well as men, during the French Revolution adopted the use of a corset. For the women, the waistcoat emphasized their breasts. For men - called Dandies - the male silhouette was slimmed, ostensibly making them look more "fit." By the 1800's, wearing a corset became the height of fashion for women. At first, whalebone was used for the stays (the part of the corset that encased and minimized the body). As time went on, ivory, wood, cane - even steel and plastic - were used. The corset was worn over a chemise (a cotton or linen gown) in order to absorb perspiration, then the corset was tightened by a maid and a gown was put on over the corset. By the end of the 1800's, lighter versions of fashion corsets were also made for use while bicycling, playing tennis, or horseback riding, as well as for maternity wear.
These photos show what (mostly) women looked like once they were done dressing with a corset. What do you think? Do these women look more "womanly" or is the silhouette created by a corset outdated in modern times?
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A photo of an "S Bend" or Flat Fronted Corset taken in 1905.
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on Nov 16, 2015 by
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in .
A photo of Ethel Granger, who had the smallest waist size in recent history... more
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on Nov 16, 2015 by
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in Mount Carmel, Wabash County, IL in .
Photo of Mrs. Hicks came from the photo album of Louis and Dora Rice... more
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on Nov 1, 2015 by
A photo of Ethel Margaret Cross
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on Nov 27, 2014 by
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in Grand Rapids, Kent County, MI on .
A photo of Mary Louise McMullen nee Waters taken on her wedding day October,... more
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on Jul 21, 2014 by
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at Byarlay Studio,
St Joseph, MO United States of America.
A photo of Viola Waller (McNutt)
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on Mar 22, 2014 by
A photo of an identified Mason family.
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on Oct 29, 2013 by
A photo of Alice Octavia "Ora" Powers Higginbotham
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on Jun 7, 2013 by
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A photo of Lotta Crabtree, renowned actress of the late 19th century.
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on Jan 9, 2012 by
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in .
Looks to be a maid?
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on Jan 9, 2012 by
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in .
This photo was taken around 1899 to document the corset and its impact on the... more
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on Jan 4, 2012 by
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in Portland, Multnomah County, OR in .
I've "rescued" an old photograph of Carl and Flora HOFSTEAD and their... more
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on Jul 7 by
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in Reichenbach in Schlesien County.
So I found a bunch of Photos hidden in an Album, but they are not labeled.... more
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on Jul 6 by
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in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, KS in .
I’ve “rescued” a group of five old photographs belonging to the... more
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on May 1 by
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in .
A photo of Kate Chase in a crinoline, circa 1850
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on Apr 11 by
A photo of a woman in a crinoline dress, somewhere between 1860 - 1880.
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on Apr 11 by
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in .
A photo of an unknown woman - Could be Bezucha, Menchal , Cummings . SUITCASE... more
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on Mar 5 by
A photo of Alice Mary Bromell Revell
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on Mar 4 by
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in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA in .
I’ve “rescued” three old photographs identified as Marion KOLLEY or... more
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on Feb 25 by
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in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA in .
I’ve “rescued” three old photographs identified as Marion KOLLEY or... more
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on Feb 25 by
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in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN in .
I’ve “rescued” two old photographs both identified as Lena MICHOLSON or... more
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on Feb 9 by
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in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN in .
I’ve “rescued” two old photographs both identified as Lena MICHOLSON or... more
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on Feb 9 by
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in Woonsocket, Providence County, RI.
A photo of an unknown woman, taken in RI - Possibly a Daigle or Benoit.... more
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on Feb 5 by
A photo of Sarah Dell (Like) Wilson, wife of Oliver Browning Wilson.... more
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on Dec 29, 2017 by
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in .
A photo of Clarissa Gurnett (1832-1903), American actress who used the stage... more
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on Nov 16, 2017 by
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in .
Hannah Stilley was born in 1746 and this photograph was taken in 1840. It is... more
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on Oct 23, 2017 by
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in Southport, Brunswick County, NC in .
A photo of Myrtie Leonard 1882-1964, daughter of H. Luther Leonard and Alice... more
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on Aug 30, 2017 by
A photo of Margaret (Truax) Scofield. Margaret was the wife of Winfield Scott... more
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on Jan 8, 2017 by
A photo of Maggie Willard McGregor. Picture card found at a flea market... more
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on Jan 7, 2017 by
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in .
A photo of a woman "dressed to the nines" in 1908.
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on Sep 7, 2016 by
A photo of a dress circa 1900 - 1909 showing the "S curve" profile of corsets... more
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on Sep 7, 2016 by