As a corset fan and owner of many, I can tell you that they are easy to put on by yourself, so the piece on each side is a little puzzling.
I am a member of a number of corset makers and enthusiasts groups so I can relay this on for you if you like. Sidney On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 10:17 AM, Claire Clarke <[email protected]>wrote: > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 02:27:02 -0700 (PDT) > From: Anne Foote <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Subject: [h-cost] 20 century corsets with underbelt > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > I am looking for help with corsetry 1900 to 1950. I am sure that we all > know that 18 and 19 century corsets or stays were made in one or two parts, > usually with the busk fastening at the front and laced together at the > back. > > In the early 20 century things got more complicated, an underbelt was added > - see the following link > > http://museums.leics.gov.uk/collections-on-line/GetObjectAction.do?objectKey > =272581<http://museums.leics.gov.uk/collections-on-line/GetObjectAction.do?objectKey%0A=272581> > > I can remember my grandmother wearing a pink (tea rose was the polite > name!) corset with an underbelt, around 1960. > > Can anyone help with the purpose of the this underbelt? I've seen examples > where they are rigidly boned, but so too was the corset, so I am not sure > why the need for extra support. > > .....Annie > > ***************************************** > My guess is that the underbelt is not so much for support as to help you > put > the corset on by yourself - ie to hold it in place while you do up the busk > or laces. Much the same principle as the little inside facing button on the > top of many modern pairs of trousers (ie it holds the waist closed while > you > do up the zip/slide fastener). > > Clair > _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
