tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807469356676934317.post2446166455715888567..comments2024-03-25T10:50:11.187-07:00Comments on Gods and Foolish Grandeur: The simplest claret-colored velvet - Edith Kingdon Gould in a Worth gown, portrait by Théobald Chartran, 1898Stephiliushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562830870365561419noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807469356676934317.post-35586741483077132232021-11-22T14:32:44.705-08:002021-11-22T14:32:44.705-08:00Like most things that come down to a sort of body ...Like most things that come down to a sort of body modification, it's personal choice - now, at least; not really so in the past when one wasn't "properly" dressed sans corset. And wearing a corset - can - be a pleasant thing for many people. I have a very tricky lower back, and very occasionally have to wear a back brace. I usually don't find it uncomfortable at all, and the - psychological - effect I've noticed is very interesting. I feel both stronger and somehow protected. I also look slightly slimmer, so I feel just a bit more confident. Unless one indulges in - extreme - tight-lacing, the adverse health claims have been greatly exaggerated.<br /><br />And, yes, almost at the advent of photography, the retouching of ladies' waists commenced. I can almost always tell when this is the case; the tell-tale signs are usually fairly obvious. Not hard to tell that Mrs. Gould has been "improved" in the first photograph. But in the last two, I think it unlikely.Stephiliushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08562830870365561419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807469356676934317.post-3695747379721169262021-11-22T11:58:27.890-08:002021-11-22T11:58:27.890-08:00On another note, antique photos were edited by scr...On another note, antique photos were edited by scratching or painting over the waist area to make it look smaller. <br />Finally, corsets aren't restrictive as one might think, because if worn PROPERLY and CORRECTLY, you can do almost anything in them, because let's remember that these women lived in their corsets most of the time, so it would make sense for them to pick comfortable, snug and perfectly fitting corset even if the tight laced (which didn't happen as often, and only a small portion of the upper class did it). <br />Many corset wearers enjoy wearing it, because they feel nice, beautiful and confident in them, so why do we assume that women of the past didn't enjoy wearing their corsets ( I know that ALL enjoyed wearing it, but my point still stands). For many people it's a ritual and they like it. There is a playlist on YouTube called Corsetry in motion, which busts all the myths we constantly hear about regarding corsetry. Hope you check it out and that what I wrote helps you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14487419894182017876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807469356676934317.post-80136243073100831822021-11-22T11:49:40.964-08:002021-11-22T11:49:40.964-08:00And also, antique photos were edited sometimes by ...And also, antique photos were edited sometimes by scratching or painting over the waist area to make it look smaller. <br />Finally, women were able to do many things in their corsets because they lived in them from day to evening, so it seems only logical for them to wear ones that are comfortable, snug and beautiful. Don't believe Hollywood and its corset myths, they are absolutely FINE to wear if worn CORRECTLY and PROPERLY. Have a nice day/night.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14487419894182017876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807469356676934317.post-29592758303806618432021-11-22T11:44:23.250-08:002021-11-22T11:44:23.250-08:00In the 19th and early 20th century, they had speci...In the 19th and early 20th century, they had special corsets for every activity they had (riding, swimming, morning, evening, house corset ...). Since she was a stout woman, I would say that she enough squish factor to play with when she wears her corset, meaning she can lace down several inches easily. <br />A corset if 1/ Made properly (the best one is custom made, although you can buy good quality corset), 2/ Worn properly and this is the most IMPORTANT part, because if you over lace it will feel uncomfortable, so find your level of comfort. the more you wear it, the more it feels like second skin. <br />And They aren't painful as much as you think, many historical costumers wear corsets and they like them, the key is they have to fit nicely and snugly. V. Birchwood wears historical corsets and clothes everyday, so check her YouTube channel.<br />Hope that helps you.<br />https://youtu.be/oKKa2MR4NV8Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14487419894182017876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807469356676934317.post-17469252816461726582016-12-15T12:11:44.436-08:002016-12-15T12:11:44.436-08:00Maybe by 1921 she'd - loosened - up a bit...?Maybe by 1921 she'd - loosened - up a bit...?Stephiliushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08562830870365561419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807469356676934317.post-7094401063400352272016-12-15T09:43:36.571-08:002016-12-15T09:43:36.571-08:00I can't believe she could golf, let alone walk...I can't believe she could golf, let alone walk, in corsets that would allow her to maintain that figure.Grace | Fashion Plantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00874880027878443221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807469356676934317.post-30495039157273064092016-12-12T10:24:27.278-08:002016-12-12T10:24:27.278-08:00Lovely that Georgian Court survives; so much from ...Lovely that Georgian Court survives; so much from that time has been lost.Stephiliushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08562830870365561419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807469356676934317.post-57930018075460514802016-12-12T10:20:28.657-08:002016-12-12T10:20:28.657-08:00She was a fascinating character. The Goulds lived...She was a fascinating character. The Goulds lived on Fifth Avenue, naturally; their first home, a rather Victorian Gothic-style pile proved too small as their family expanded, so it was torn down in 1907 and replaced by a stately Horace Trumbauer-designed neoclassical palace. Sadly, this house was demolished in 1962 to make way for a high rise apartment building. Mrs. Gould's lavish, antique Louis XVI bed is now on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Georgian Court, their estate in Lakewood, NJ, is today a college. Parts of the main house and extensive gardens have been restored to their original condition.Shawn Cullenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18270423231633162242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807469356676934317.post-1449931777442916452016-12-09T09:05:46.553-08:002016-12-09T09:05:46.553-08:00Yeah, I find that break at the waist unfortunate; ...Yeah, I find that break at the waist unfortunate; rather spoils the "line", eh? : )Stephiliushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08562830870365561419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807469356676934317.post-73734349789798455742016-12-09T08:33:40.774-08:002016-12-09T08:33:40.774-08:00Fashions were so amazing -and that tiny waist on a...Fashions were so amazing -and that tiny waist on a rather large woman! I find it fascinating how ideas of beauty change over time.ArchitectDesign™https://www.blogger.com/profile/01481754380363676771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807469356676934317.post-38971014582418282322016-12-09T08:32:19.458-08:002016-12-09T08:32:19.458-08:00Glorious portrait, and a stunning dress. It's ...Glorious portrait, and a stunning dress. It's wonderfully clean lined and unadorned for Worth, but Jean Phillipe, who took over after his father died did occasionally produce work that was this simplified. Also, I noted that the painter chose to edit out the waistline break, and narrowed Mrs Gould's waist even more than its already small size. Thanks so much for this!Paul G. Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134358778441543921noreply@blogger.com