Dear Sir,–As an old reader of your delightful paper, I wonder if you could spare me a little space in your correspondence columns?
I have along with mamma, followed the correspondence on tight-lacing. With a view to keeping a slim figure, during the time that this has been fashionable. I have been wearing 18in. corsets and a very tight bust bodice, in order to keep the chest flat.
Nothing has pleased me more than the boyish costumes one could wear laced in this manner. My hair, which is jet black, has long been Eton-cropped, and when well oiled, layed out that like a boy’s.
Now, as this fashion is rapidly dying out, mama wishes me to adopt a more girlish figure and style. She has always been a severe tight-lacer, and I have decided to try and cultivate a “stove-pipe” waist of about 14in. At present I always wear a rubber brassiere when sleeping. Can any of your readers tell me if a good rubber corset would help to reduce the waist when sleeping and would they advise me to leave off the brassiere now?
Mamma says she will engage an extra maid to assist in my lacing if I decide to do it. I have not decided yet to let my hair grow. Perhaps your readers could express an opinion on this point also? Do any of them wear girlish dresses with short hair?
Yours sincerely,
MABEL.