Debunking Corsets

My friend Lisa over at Collector's Weekly thought my readers would enjoy this piece on corsets. As many of you know, I've procured a fabulous collection of pre-1930s garments - much of which includes lingerie. I have not found any corsets as yet within the collection, but who knows what will turn up!

Many myths about what a corset is and does to a woman's body is debunked here by Valerie Steele, who is the director and chief curator of The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. 

A fabulous read, thanks Lisa at Collector's Weekly!

 A long corset made by CK in Belgium, circa 1890. 

From the collection of L. Hidic, 

corsetsandcrinolines.com, via The Antique Corset Gallery.

Bianca Lyons in typical Edwardian dress, circa 1902. Image from the U.S. Library of Congress, copyright E. Chickering.

Victorian Steampunk

The other day someone asked me what steampunk was. In a nutshell, it is Victorian British style with a science fiction twist. Think H.G. Well's The Time Machine or Captain Nemo's Nautilus submarine. 

The term is a fairly new one, coined in the 1980s and has broadened into fashion, music and visual arts. Steampunk was influenced by, and often adopts the style of the 19th century scientific romances of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Mark Twain and Mary Shelley. In fact, on my stack of books ready for reading, is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. I'm sure the book is immensely more terrifying than any movie to date.

Here are some great Etsy finds for steampunk style...perhaps a Halloween costume idea will come to you!

Copper Mask by snegoratchka

Corset by MetamorphDK

My Evil Scientist goggles by doubleastitching

Laser light gun by justingeer

Pirate shirt by OneDelightfulDay

Corsets & Crinolines

Underpinnings were a very important part of how a lady dressed in the past. As today, we do not care to see the bulges we may have accumulated during life, but rather focus on creating that hourglass or smooth figure. The shape of figures has often changed from the S-shape, to the straight line boy shape to the hourglass figure - and back again. But one thing is certain, lingerie played, and still plays an important role in our wardrobes.

Perusing Corsets & Crinolines the stunning Victorian corsets are to die for. Although most impractical today and clearly uncomfortable (no spandex then), they are a joy to look at and admire. Some may be inclined to debate the submission of women in these garments - a fine point. However that will be a different post. Today I am merely interested in the construction and beauty of the fabric and the piece itself.

This Victorian corset is from 1898 -1900. Made of black cotton sateen with yellow flossing it is boned with cane which means this is a summer wear garment. However, as with any garment that is 100 years old or more, it is not recommended to wear - rather this is a collectible item. $350£, shipping from the UK.

But isn't it stunning!

Others to admire from Corsets & Crinolines: