C O R S E T S
There are several variations & styles of Corsets. This section describes two of the most well known: Elizabethan Corsets & Victorian Corsets
Elizabethan Corsets: These types of corsets were worn in the (obviously) Elizabethan period, otherwise known as the Renaissance Period.
Unlike the Victorian corset, the Elizabethan corset was not meant to draw in the waist and create an hourglass figure. It was designed to shape the torso into a more cylindrical shape, and to flatten and raise the bustline.
Consequently, Elizabethan corsets are not meant to be tight-laced to ensure a small waist. In fact, the Elizabethan corset is probably one of the most comfortable corsets that can be created.
Victorian Corsets: Victorian corsets gained in popularity during the Victorian era (from 1820 to about 1910). The most well-known variation of the corset, this garment was designed to give women the hourglass look with a very tiny waist.
There are many variations of, what is known as, the Victorian corset, but modern corsets are fashioned after the horizontal waist corset.
There also seems to be a popular myth that tight lacing was very widespread during the Victorian era. However, it is generally believed that most accounts very small waists were the "ideal' versus the reality. Museum collection of corsets have measured that most corsets of the period 1860 to 1910 measured from 20 to 22 inches, and most likely were not tight-laced but rather let out a few inches.
Leopard Print Elizabethan This corset is made out of a wonderfully soft leopard print fabric. It uses all steel boning. This particular corset was made for a customer with a 27 inch waist, and she has reported that she can wear it for 12+ hours without discomfort. Cost: $150.00 not including fabric |
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Front of Corset
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Back of Corset
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Fabric Detail
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| More to Come... | ||