Corset or constriction device? Padded petticoat or prison? In truth, 19thc underpinnings are a little bit of both. Coming from someone who wears these two items eight months a year, five days a week, I think this is one thing that I do qualify as an expert on. In truth, until women lost their minds and began shooting for 12 inch waists, a corset was nothing more than an elegant back brace. And if you consider the back-breaking labor, the cast iron kettles that weighed in at app. 10 lbs each empty, and the endless babies coming about every 18 months, bracing your back came in very handy! As to the corded petticoat (padded or quilted) rather than being a prison, it actually gives a woman a real good grip on those multiple layers of petticoats or slips they wore under their dresses in the mid 19thc, and makes stair climbing a safer venture (just grab a cord and lift!) So you see it's not so bad....if it wasn't for our 21st century steel stays. (Now those hurt!)
Ok. So the corset poll has ended. Lacing in the back and wanting to breathe came in at a dead heat. So we'll settle for both. Ladies, I lace mine in the back and still manage to draw a breath!
A new poll follows....
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