Dear Sir,–Although I am a male corset-wearer and am in the habit of reducing my waist by this means to three-fifths of my chest measurement I venture to express my doubts as to the veracity of your correspondents on the subject of the so-called “pope stem waist.” For instance, in your issue of August 18th, … Continue reading Is The “Pipe-Stem” Waist Possible?
Dear Sir,–I have been deeply interested in the correspondence which has been going on for some time in your interesting paper regarding tight-lacing and the wearing of high heels. As a student of anatomy and physiology and an ambulance man of many years’ standing, may I be allowed a little of your valuable space in … Continue reading Is Tight-Lacing Injurious?
Dear Sir,–I notice in your jolly paper that there has been considerable reference lately to “pipe waists,” and at one time I had almost made up my mind to train for one. It was some years ago now, before the war and I was sickened by an exhibition I saw at Marseilles at a second-rate … Continue reading Tight-Waist Monstrosities
Dear Sir,–The fashion page of a recent issue of “London Life “ contains a note from “P. R.,” who jokingly says that his fiancée is so fond of gloves that he fully expects her to wear them for bathing before long. ”P. R.” may be interested, and “Miss 1828” highly amused, to hear of my … Continue reading My First Bathe In 1890
Dear Sir,–Your correspondents on the subject of tight-lacing seem to have entirely neglected the moral of the whole system, which is briefly this: Perfection is only attained by great pain and tribulation. Bodily pain was considered nothing as long as a satisfactory result was obtained, and the pain was a necessary incident to the achievement … Continue reading Victorian Victims of Corset Tyranny
Dear Sir,–There would appear to be a popular prejudice against, the adoption by men of the garment the wearing of which has for its object the training of the figure to retain and accentuate its outline and at the same time to repress certain tendencies which mar the acknowledged natural beauty of the human male … Continue reading Corsets for Men
Dear Sir,–Some time ago I wrote to you explaining how, one evening at an hotel in London, my mother caught me just after I had secretly put on my first corsets, and how she was delighted, and made me go down to the lounge again. I told you how self-conscious I felt, although my frock … Continue reading Corsets Cure Self-consciousness
Dear Sir,–I have been greatly intrigued by some of the recent correspondence on the subject of tight lacing, and I can assure your readers that while it was very prevalent some years ago, it was no joking matter. With several others, I was engaged in a drapery store, and we were all tight-laced to a … Continue reading When Shop Assistants Were Tight-Laced
Dear Sir,–I have been very interested in the recent letters published in your topping paper about very tight lacing, and I would like to add my experiences to those others who are interested in the most fascinating subject in the world. I was first attracted to tiny waists when I came to live with my … Continue reading Tortured to Obtain a Tiny Waist
Dear Sir,–I enjoyed reading Ann Penstone’s contribution on “Cultivating the Stove Pipe Waist,” in your issue of June 30th. I, too, would be delighted to hear of other readers’ experience in developing this remarkable attenuated figure. Miss Penstone refers to an illustrated magazine article on the elongated or pipe waist, which she had read some … Continue reading Cultivating the Stove-Pipe Waist