Corsets

Corselettes

Bras

Girdles

Pantygirdles

Sundries

Accessories

  

Laced girdle (and most attractive girl) from the 30's.

Colmer: Whalebone to See-Through

In this section I will attempt to classify the wide range of garments which fall under the heading of Corsetry, and which are now commonly known as Foundation Garments. This can never be done with any accuracy, because the names used for different garments vary with time and place, and between generations and social classes. In the individual definitions I have attempted to give the generic names, or the names used in the US and in the UK if they are different, together with any commonly used variants. The names used in Australia are generally the same as those used in the UK.

A Corset is designed primarily to reduce the size of the wearer’s waist. It is a rigid garment, and usually extends from the breasts to the top of the hips.

A Corselette covers the whole of the body, from above the breasts at least to the bottom of the buttocks. In this section we will consider both open and closed bottom garments.

A Bra is designed to support and shape the breasts. It may just cover the breasts, or it may extend down to the top of the hips.

A Girdle is designed to smooth and firm the tummy and the buttocks. It normally covers the whole of the buttocks, and the top will be somewhere between the waist and the bottom of the breasts. It may either be open at the bottom (Open bottom girdle: OBG) or closed at the bottom (Pantygirdle).

Sundries covers a range of garments which don't fit comfortably under any of the main headings.

Accessories covers the odds and ends attached to, or used in the construction of, any of these garments.

 

 

Home