Chemise, Drawers, Corset, and Cage Crinoline

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Detailed Corset Picture

I thought this was a great up close picture of a corset for those that like making reproduction clothing from period examples. I can't give you an age for it, it was just a public domain photo I found, sorry. It is interesting to see how the gussets are put in and the boning was inserted. The corset in Simplicity pattern # 7215 is constructed similarly to the picture below.

Corset, 1840

Circa 1837 - 1845. A rare set of transitional stays dating from the late Regency- early Victorian period. This set of stays or corset, depending on the wearer's knowledge of fashionable parlance, marks the transitional period between long soft bodied stays and the hourglass corset of the second half of the 19th century.The stays are made from white cotton drill and are lined in plain white cotton. The corset is entirely handmade with neat and even sewing using "back stitching" technique. Triangular gussets, which are typical in mid 19th century corsetry, are seen at the bust and the hips. The corset is not boned but has slots with "button holes" on the inside, in which to insert boning. There is a bone channel on the middle of each breast and in a "V" shape at the back. A wider channel is seen at the front of the corset to allow the wearer to insert a stiff wooden or bone busk. Having bone channels in which the boning could be inserted and removed at will, allowed the wearer to adjust the amount of stiffness in the corset according to the level of activity. It also allowed for easy laundering. Although this corset has a more pronounced hourglass shape than early 19th century long line stays had, it retains elements from the Regency era yet foreshadows the coming curvier Victorian styles. The body of the corset has a semi-elongated shape with the front skirt of the corset coming down below the abdomen, common for early 1800's stays. The actual indentation of the waist ends higher than natural waist level. The waist level on this corset sits just under the "V" points of the bust gussets, a waist level placement typical of late Regency stays, however, the flared bustline and pinched in waist gives the figure a curvier shape than earlier stays had. Measurements: Bust 33", Waist 23", Hips 28", Front busk length 13". ~ http://www.antiquecorsetgallery.com/

Corset, 1868

Circa.1868. A short corset made from lightweight drab batiste, and boned with cane. This wouldn't have been a very expensive corset during it's day and most likely would have been worn during the summer.

Cut short in the body just gently cupping the breasts, high in the hips and high at the lowerback, this style would have been worn during the late 1860's when high "Empire" waists were popular and having a excessively small waist was not important as the crinoline created an illusion of a tiny waist. The busk is slightly curved for comfort and is quite flexible. There are metal grommet holes at the back. The inside stay tape,the inside of the busk are made out of drab canvas as is the backing of the grommet holes. 31" bust 24 1/2" waist. Busk is 8 1/2" long.~ http://corsetsandcrinolines.com/