Wasp waist

History

In the 19th century, while average corseted waist measurements varied between 23 and, wasp waist measurements of 16 to were uncommon and were not considered attractive. Ladies' magazines told of the side effects of tight lacing, proclaiming that "if a lady binds and girds herself in, until she be only twenty-three inches, and, in some cases, until she be only twenty-one inches, it must be done at the expense of comfort, health, and happiness." Fashions instead created the illusion of a small waist, using proportion, stripe placement, and color. Retouching photographs was sometimes used to create the illusion of a wasp waist.

Extreme tight lacing (15 -) was a fad during the late 1870s and 1880s, lasting until around 1887.

Health effects

Among the multitude of medical problems women suffered to achieve these drastic measurements were deformed ribs, weakened abdominal muscles, deformed and dislocated internal organs, and respiratory ailments. The displacement and disfigurement of the reproductive organs greatly increased the risk of miscarriage and maternal death.

Notes

References

1. (1863). "Advice to a Wife on the Management of Her Own Health, and on the Treatment of Some of the Complaints Incidental to Pregnancy, Labour, and Suckling; with an Introductory Chapter Especially Addressed to a Young Wife". John Churchill and Sons.
2. (2016-07-28). "How Photo Retouching Worked Before Photoshop".
3. Kunzle, D.. "Fashion and Fetishism".
4. Klingerman, K. M.. (2006). "Binding Femininity: The Effects of Tightlacing on the Female Pelvis". Louisiana State University.
5. O'Connor, E.. "Medicine and Women's Clothing and Leisure Activities in Victorian Canada".