Fashion. Culture. Community.
Dispelling Myths and Taboos
I decided to enter the world of corsetry recently. I was bombarded with all sorts of information, advise and opinions. It was very overwhelming. One of the biggest things were the negative comments.
Here are a couple scary things I have heard and still hear. Some of them are just false some just exaggerations of the facts. Feel free to add.
1.) Women back in the day had ribs removed for a smaller waist.
This is one of those fantastic stories most of us have heard many times but it's simply that, a fantastic story. It never happened. Think about it, in a time when a woman often died in childbirth or even the simplest of procedures to think they were undergoing such a drastic, dangerous surgery voluntarily is kind of crazy. I know we woman do some extreme things for fashion, but that's just ridiculous.
It's believed to have started with a rumor made up by Florenz Zeigfeld in the 1800s to drum up publicity for his star actress Anna Held. He was known to make up fantastic stories about her, it worked though. In turn other actresses started insinuating they had done the same, as a devotion to their craft and a myth was born.
So how did they get those 18" waists? Well for one women of that time usually started training very young when bone is still very flexible. The bottom floating ribs are not attached to the sternum and are the very movable. Over time, even in adulthood with constant, gradually increased pressure they can be moved into that waspy V shape. It is an unnatural appearance and to some it may seem they are not even be there, but I assure you they are.
2.) You are damaging your internal organs.
This is one I hear most, usually with reference to a drawing from the late 1800s as the proof. It is true you can hurt yourself corseting, especially if going too extreme too fast. There are also medical conditions some may have that corseting is not a good idea. The same is true for any exercise.
Now I am not speaking for extreme tight-lacing here either, like world record holder Cathy Jung. Cathy has devoted herself to her love of Victorian era fashion by replicating an authentic figure of that time. While I admire her devotion and discipline that is not my goal, nor is it many other women I talk to. Most modern lacers stay in a very safe range and the number one motto is always "Listen to your body". A corset should never hurt!
Just remember how amazing and sturdy we women are in our waists. Just because something seem impossible does not make it so. The human body is capable of amazing things!
Athletes
contortionist
a woman with child
I never cease to be amazed at the beauty and capabilities of the human body.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jenn Bailey on
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I couldn't have said it any better myself. I love that you included pictures of an athlete, contortionist, etc. It's so true! With any exercise or sport, you have to know your limits. I can touch my toes, but it's mind-boggling when people can twist their bodies like they do in Cirque du Soleil.
I have to be careful who I talk to when it comes to my personal waist training. My boyfriend is very supportive. He just told me to be careful, but mentioned that he loves the look of a corset. Although most people are supportive, some of the girls I work with got to the point of anger when I mentioned it!
"Why do you want to do that?" "Your waist is already tiny, why do you have to have it smaller?" "Your organs are going to be totally messed up." "How are you even breathing?"
Response one: See Mary's post above!
Response two: It's my life and my personal choice!
I enjoy having a smaller waist - it makes me feel feminine. I enjoy the feel of a corset. Honestly, I feel beautiful when I wear a corset. My confidence soars. However, I take precautions and do not tighten it more than I can handle. For example, I'm having menstrual cramps and I am definitely not wearing my corset today - ouch!
Again, thank you for posting this. I might have to show this to anyone who ever gives me attitude about waist training :)
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Permalink Reply by Pascale on
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Can anyone advice à corset? Brand an type? Cant find the right one. Thanks
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Permalink Reply by Mary Lucas on
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Hi Pascale! I'll start a where to buy corset discussion, here in a bit.
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Permalink Reply by Lissie Bee on
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This group was born out of this original discussion, here > http://www.pinupgirlstyle.com/forum/topics/corsets-yay-or-nay :)
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Thanks Jenn. I know exactly what you mean with the negative girls. Usually the ladies with the worst things to say have never worn one before. I love wearing my corsets.
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Well said! Thank you for this. Whenever someone has a fuss about waist training I am going to direct them here. I love that picture of Sophia Loren, that's one of my original inspirations to start wearing a corset.
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Permalink Reply by Kelly Davis on
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The rib removal thing circa 1800-1900 is ridiculous. Antibiotics and anesthetics (aside from liquor) weren't even invented yet and the germ theory of disease wasn't even really starting to become accepted until the late 1800's.
I love wearing corsets, they just make you feel feminine. I'd love to waist-train, especially since I have an "asthma" rib cage. Unfortunately, my job requires more flexibility than a corset affords. Luckily I have friends who also love corsets so we can geek out over them together. One friend even has girly "corset night" gatherings at her house. -
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Permalink Reply by Raven J Campbell on
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I myself find that a corset or a good girdle can be very therapeutic when I am having a bad back day...and they were absolute heaven after I had my children...(many people think I am nuts...lol) personally I think more people should wear some kind of supportive undergarment...modern fashion has gotten so relaxed its almost frightening...fitted properly they reduce lower back strain...and over exertion or over extention...:) just my thoughts..:)
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Permalink Reply by Cindy Borgetti on
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I gotta admit, I have a lace corset to just do the bare intake of my waist and i love it! it makes me feel like I'm being hugged all day long, and its super comfy!
I say let those girls talk, they cant appreciate the beauty of PUG, so just let them be.
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Permalink Reply by Tonya L De Marco on
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I love my corsets and I appreciate your post. I have just recently gotten into corsets with steampunk costuming. I already have a small waist, and since my waist is 12-13 inches smaller than my bust and hips, I have a hard time with the fit of an overbust corset. I like my underbust corsets better, however, the above pic shows me in an overbust! It is laced not tightly at all since I am just a begginer.
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Permalink Reply by Lolita Black on
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Very true, so many myths come from corseting. I decided to buy a few books to read about the history and just to get any scrap of information from them. I read some that were just as biased and negative as what you read on the internet but also found an excellent book that debunks myths and was very detailed. Its really up to you to decide what is true and false. A corset should never hurt you and you should cycle your laces tighter at one time in the day a little looser at another, you have to react to your body and be intune. There's a lot that goes into corseting, your body, personal habits, lifestyle, and even the cut and fit of a corset.
I've only recieved one negative comment but it honestly didn't make me bat an eyelash. She just didn't understand and that was all there was to it. I adore the feel, the hug feeling, and I do feel very much like a lady.
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Permalink Reply by Kitten Monroe on
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This was lovely. I am considering taking up lacing to cinch my waist more. I appear physically hourglass shaped but at my measurements I receive many hate messages telling me I should tell people I am STRAIGHT figured.... to this I say whatever.
I would like to reduce however I am confused at how I should go about it as I am actively still losing weight and a 4-6" reduction now, may actually only turn into 2-3" when I lose the last 20 pounds.
Any advice?
apparently not an hourglass
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