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Posted by Kate XXXXXX on July 3, 2007, 2:38 am
WZ wrote:
> gjones2938@yahoo.com wrote:
> It might be fun
>> for a day at a Ren Faire, but everyday? Forget it!!
>
>
> Well, I've performed at RenFaires for more than 25 years, so I often DO
> dress like that every day (2-3 days a week for 7-9 weeks in a row).
> You've hit on one of my pet peeves - "a corset is a corset, and they are
> uncomfy and they hurt". NO WAY!
>
> Corsets worn during the Tudor and Elizabethan periods are NOT
> hourglass-shaped like Victorian ones. They are more cone-shaped,
> compressing the bosom. Even the extremely fashionable ones worn by
> noble ladies were straight up the front, and had a stiffener up the
> front. Queen Elizabeth was skinny as a rail and flat as a board, and
> EVERYONE wanted to look like her. In-period, a large bosom was seen as
> maternal, not attractive or sexy.
>
> People who had to actually work for a living wore what we would call
> 'corsets' (pairs of bodies) stiffened with broomstraws or even rope.
> More like a snug-fitting vest than a "Merry Widow". Bodies "boned" with
> hemp cord are surprisingly comfortable and give a gentle rounded shape
> to the bosom. Many working-class women wore a combination of a kirtle
> or underdress that suppressed the bosom and an open-fronted gown that
> laced up the front with a single spiral-lace. This provides quite a bit
> of support and is very comfortable - and I'm a 36DD! I dress like a
> Breugel painting (leaving off the over-partlet because I'm an improper
> tavern musician) and I can move furniture and swordfight with no trouble.
>
> I do have two "noblewoman's" corsets that go with my court-style gowns.
> They are more restrictive than the workingwoman's outfits, but by no
> means uncomfortable or painful. If it hurts, it doesn't fit you
> properly! True, there are things I can't do in those gowns (like tie my
> own shoes!) but there are things you can't do in a miniskirt or
> strapless ball gown either. You learn to adjust.
>
> I have made bodices for quite a few larger women, and they often say
> that they are more comfortable than a modern bra. No poky underwires,
> chafing, sags, pinched shoulders, or anything else. Your boobs stay
> where they are, don't move, and you have back support.
>
> Wendy Z
> Chicago, IL
> www.merrymeasure.com
Hi there Wendy! How's it going?
I have to agree about the corsets. The black velvet Wench Bodice on my
web site is based on a pattern drafted from the Effigy Corset that
Elizabeth wore, and I can do all sorts in it, from climbing ladders and
dancing a jig to touching my toes (mind you, I have short legs and the
corset doesn't have tabs over the hips! ;)). Very comfy for this 32DD
figure.
Even a Victorian corset will gently mould the figure and support the
bust rather than squishing you into a fainting fit if properly made and
fitted.
The only time I tried a more modern elasticated 'corset' (this sort of
thing: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2n9nhw and one of these:
http://tinyurl.com/2nw98w) they were so uncomfortable they were
instruments of torture!
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!
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