Dear Sir,–In reply to “Natural Figure,” I should like to point out that it is quite possible to enjoy tight-lacing, and while I agree with “Mandelay” that lifelong injury can be caused to tight-lacers if they follow the practice of “tugging in” their waists without a thought to what is happening to their insides, normal healthy people need have no fears on this score if they will only follow advice and train their figures sensibly.
“Natural Figure” gave up tight-lacing after a few days. She appears to have gone at it too rapidly. When imbued with the desire to improve her figure, she should have accustomed herself to firm high corsets for some weeks before tightening the laces and would thereby have lost that very stiff ramrod feeling that stays give to those who are not used to them.
Having got accustomed to her new stays, she could have started drawing in at the rate of about half-an-inch a week – certainly not more – when she would probably have found pleasure in so doing, and would not have harmed herself, provided that her stays had been made by a good maker who allowed room for her chest to enlarge under the pressure of her waist.
The experiment, suggested by “Natural Figure,” of drawing in a belt as tightly as possible for an hour, is very unpleasant and painful, but there is a tremendous difference between a narrow band drawn in suddenly and the firm, even clasp of a well-made corset round a thoroughly accustomed figure.
It is difficult to understand why “Mandelay” persisted in tight-lacing for 12 years, during which fashion demanded normal waists, in spite of the fact that she was very uncomfortable, in bad health, wore a strained, anxious expression, and even realised that her husband and friends did not like pinched waists! Small waist need not look pinched and a stiff busk will prevent indigestion even when very tightly laced, provided that one does not gobble one’s food or eat too much.
“J.W.V.H.” probably does not realise that deformed ribs and diseased lungs are only caused by very tight lacing, persisted in, in spite of warnings like failing health, and that most of the figures one sees now are not given by Nature, since flat breasts and narrow hops are as much the result of systematic training as an 18 in waist and alluring curves.
In spite of all that is said against it Tight-lacing is like many other pleasures of life. Excessive drinking will ruin the average person’s health, while most people will agree that moderate indulgence is pleasant and has its uses.
Athletic excesses result in strained hearts, but moderation produces physical fitness. It is the same with tight-lacing, which, after all, can always be given up if it is found to upset one’s health or the susceptibilities of those whom he wishes to impress.
Thirteen inch waists are for the very few, as not many of us are cut out to be record breakers in any sphere; but there is no harm in trying to achieve a small waist and graceful carriage by means of the poor old much maligned corset, if it is done with
MODERATION.