The Victorian Corset: The Most Vintage & Popular

During the Victorian era (the reign of Queen Victoria), women were expected to marry a man of their own class, while caring for their husband as well as their children. Slimming garments such as corsets were a central pillar of Victorian society. A noblewoman had an army of domestic servants and gentlemen's servants to perform all kinds of chores and tasks, while women from lower classes were expected to do their own. Tight-laced corsets and well-fitted clothing meant that the woman in question belonged to the upper class of the nobility.

History & Particularities of the Victorian Corset 

On the other hand, bulges and love handles visible on the body indicated that the woman belonged to a lower class. There was a wide variety of corsets. Victorian women liked to venture into sports activities widely practiced by men. Therefore, different types of corsets were invented to adapt to these sports practices. Specific abdominal corsets were also created for women who were expecting a baby. This is obviously highly questionable. Fortunately, nowadays, this has been set aside.

During the Victorian era, between 1837 and 1901, the hourglass figure was at the forefront, with the emphasis placed more on creating a slim waist. In the 1840s and 1850s, corset laces worn tightly around the waist became popular. The typical corset of this era was very different from the one that preceded it, in several aspects. The corset was not limited to the hips, but extended and ended several centimeters below the waist. The corset left rather exaggerated curves instead of a V-shaped funnel shape. The spiral steel stays of a period corset then hug the curve of your silhouette while accentuating it. Although so many bustier corsets were still sewn by hand to fit the measurements of the woman who wore them, there was also a flourishing market for cheap mass-produced corsets thanks to the arrival of the Industrial Revolution.

At the end of the 19th century, the very tight lacing close to the body raised a lot of concerns and questions. Some doctors of the time supported the theory that the traditional corset had the ability to cause health problems, especially regarding pregnancy, and women who were accustomed to wearing very tight lacing were increasingly seen as slaves to fashion.

In reality, tight laces were very likely what caused indigestion and probably not constipation, but rarely the cause of a range of ailments that were associated with a corset that was too tight at that time. The spectrum included hysteria to liver failure.

In response to the obvious dangers of wearing a corset with tight laces, but also due to the increasing interest of women in outdoor sports activities, "health corsets" arrived on the market at the end of the 19th century. In 1884, a German doctor named Gustav Jaeger (1832-1917) invented sanitary corsets made of wool, considered by women to be both flexible and elastic. They were especially durable over time, and followed movements better.

Dr. Jaeger claimed that the material of wool had healing properties, but also that it had cured him of his chronic health problems such as overweight and indigestion. Another corset of the same kind was created in 1887, a dermathe corset with a coating made of leather. It was marketed for women who wanted to conscientiously preserve their health and who led a vigorous lifestyle.

Disadvantages of the permanent corset at the time

-Asphyxiation because the intense compression of the rib cage hindered breathing.

-Infertility due to very tight corsets. Repeated miscarriages as well as sterility could occur. A pregnant woman wearing such a corset risked losing her child.

To match the vintage style, you need to find an authentic vintage dress, with a charming cut, a straight and slightly loose style, as in vintage fashion, you can find this type of dress at Madame Vintage.

Corset style Edwardian