Sir, – The following hints may be of value to many who may be contemplating a return to the corset; in view of the suggested figure fashions which are in the air. Never buy reach-me-down corsets, they are like ready-made frocks, only more so. Study your figure carefully, and insist on your corsetiere doing likewise. You will find that a little attention to corset details will mean a great difference to your personal comfort and appearance.
Keep the hip bone clear of steels – you can have an efficient steeled corset without also having a chaffed hip bone.
See that the eyelet holes for your corset waist are quite close together. This gives a sense of firmness and support, which is lacking in the ordinary corset. The spacing of eyelet holes above and below the waist can be as usual.
Have your corset comfortable, but not tight at the busk; and see that a tape is inserted a long the bust line for adjustment after lacing. The bust should be carefully considered, a half-inch more or less in length make all the difference between comfort and discomfort.
A corset, to get maximum value for your outlay, should not be ill used. Nothing so much shortens the life of a corset as a gaping open back. The corset is not firm and therefore gets pulled out of shape. A new corset will “give” usually about an inch before settling down. This should be allowed for when making and when the corset is finally stretched to the figure it should be laced close, top to bottom, whether tight-lacing is indulged in or not. When the corset is put on, the laces, which by the way should be flat not round, should be loose. There should be no exertion required to clasp the corset, the adjustment is provided for by the laces.
When removing, the corset should be first unlaced, then unclasped. A different corset should be worn on alternative days. By this method the strain on the corset is relaxed. On the “off” day it should be hung over a rail or chair. It is a mistake to roll the corset tightly and put away. Where whalebone is used for boning it will be found that by hanging the corset loosely it will revert to its original shape and therefore feel fresh and new when worn again, without the uncomfortability of newness.
A night corset, usually of the reducing type, is worn by some, in some cases regularly, and in others only after a day’s strenuous exertion, as a help to the day corset. Night corsets are soon accustomed to and sleep is not interfered with.
If these hints are noted – they are by no means wordly – and especially if the wearer will wear her chemise or vest tailored to her figure, the best practise in this matter is to have the upper part of the garment open to the waist in front, and then fastened by two or three small buttons at the top after putting on, she will find that her waist will be inches smaller than by choosing her corset haphazard. She will have both a neat waist and comfort too.
Afterwards, is she is inclined to tight-lace, well, that is a matter for her own vanity. I hope that these hints may serve to bring back many to their allegiance to that most exquisitely feminine of all garments – the corset.
Yours very truly,
“MEMSAHIE.”