Corsets

[Elizaboo]

I am a novice female reenactor, and I have read over and over that to be authentic I have to wear a corset. First of all, do women really wear them at events, and secondly, does anyone have any suggestions for where to get one? They seem to vary widely in price, and I am assuming that the quality varies as well....any info you have will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Corsets

Quick Moderator Bonnet Moment:

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Mod-Bonnet Off.

To your question--yes, women really do wear them at events, and yes, you really do need a good corset to get the lines of the mid-century. There's actually no point to getting anything beyond a chemise until you have a well-fitted corset.

Since you'll want the corset custom-cut and preferably, custom-fitted to you in person as well, plan to spend some money on this investment item. Most good corsets run upwards of $120 for labor.

Do you sew? If you sew, and are willing to learn a few new skills, you can actually make corsets at home for about $60 in materials, and some sewing time.

[Swag]

Re: Corsets

I suggest using the search function... I'm sure you will be able to find something.

[TMAN]

Re: Corsets

I would suggest this book: Who Wore What?: Women's Wear, 1861-1865 by Juanita Leisch.

Tim Fretwell
10 LA Co.C

[GarrettG1993]

Re: Corsets

I would contact Mrs. Murphy, or Mrs. Lawson. They should be able to help you out.
You should also sign your full name to your posts, or the Mods will bust you.


Regards,
Garrett Glover

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Corsets

Yes, some of us really do wear them; they give you the proper shape. If you are not an experienced seamstress and/or don't have someone around to help you properly fit a corset, I suggest getting one made rather than trying to do it yourself. Carolann Schmitt offers a corset workshop in Pennsylvania that you might want to look into, www.genteelarts.com

[xamier]

Re: Corsets

Greetings,
I have had very good luck with corsets made my Kay Gnagey. Do a search for original by Kay and you will find her. The underpinnings she makes are comfortable, fit well, and are reasonably priced. To answer your question, yes many woman do wear corsets at events and if well fitted they are very comfortable and provide the period look. Be very careful with corsetry. It must fit well and be made of period materials. If not it will be very uncomfortable.
Betty Morgan

[Spinster]

Re: Corsets

Corsets!!

Oh my yes--would not be without one--and in fact have worn a well made period corset under modern clothes when I had heavy lifting to do.

First, get past any foolishness about them being particularly confining. Mrs. Morgan won't say so herself, but she can bend from the waist and put the palms of her hands flat on the floor with hers on. I cannot--but then, I can't even touch my own ankles without bending my knees.

What I can do is lift a iron pot filled with water and move it some distance--something I cannot do without a corset. With my particular period trade, this ability is vital. And during the period, this garment supplied essential back support for women's work

The key here is the right corset, with the right fit and the right lacing method. This is not something you can get by buying a floocy corset from a modern underwear store. Various period makers do various styles of corsets.

The following commentary is strictly my own, and is not a reflection on the ability or documentation of the makers. Your mileage may vary.

Heavy corsets:
Carol Ann Schmidt www.genteelarts.com
Joy Melcher http://www.civilwarlady.com
These are two layer corsets with the boning in channels between the two layers, with both metal boning and cording. They tend to be long-lined (but that could be just my experience with them), and are the sort of corset I put on for very heavy work. These corsets are made from custom measurements (see website) but the vendor may occassionally have some on the shelf.

Light corsets:
Originals by Kay http://www.originals-by-kay.com/
These corsets consist of one layer, with twill channels for the boning. For much of the year in the Deep South, I cannot abide a two layer corset, and I wear wool dresses year around. Custom measured, with instructions on website. Funny body types fitted well.
My long term favorite for daily wear.
Kay will also make heavy and specialty corsets--she made my 18th century corset of two layers of heavy brown linen. The best recommendation for these comes from our experience in planning a corset with her. "Sister" undertook to loose nearly 200 pounds, but did not want to stop reenacting for lack of clothing. Kay planned a corset with her, with special consideration for the alterations that would be needed. As a result, Sister wore the same corset throughout this massive weight loss, had instructions for easy alterations, and then purchased her final corset when she reached her goal. Four years later, she is still wearing that new slim corset.

The Paper Lady (no website, available at larger events and from some other mainstream vendors as well.
This is an even lighter weight corset with a very flexible boning---ideal for summer on the Gulf Coast. Its drawback is that anything over a C cup is not properly supported throughout the life of the corset. These are an 'off the rack' corset, but Mary makes roughly 30 stock sizes, and will do a custom order if she cannot fit you.

Even lighter: Work Waists
Past Patterns http://www.pastpatterns.com/
carries one pattern with several soft corsets made for maternity or work. These have little or no boning and gain support from cording or darts. The largest cup I've fitted sucessfully was a C cup.

Finally let me say that you'll be surprised--with the right corset, your clothes will fit better and you will be more comfortable. Petticoats are supported on the corset and no long cut into your waist.

[Virginia Mescher]

Re: Corsets

If I could offer my two cents on corsets, even though I've never worn one.

In my booth at events, it is easily obvious to see which ladies are wearing corsets and which aren't -- the ones whose clothes are attractive and look like they are really from the nineteenth century are wearing corsets.

The only problem my wife has had with a well-fitting corset was when the heat index hit 115 at an event -- but everyone was having heat problems that day.

On the dance floor, I can dance much better with a woman wearing a corset.

But I have also been told that a poorly fitted corset will be uncomfortable so make sure your corset is made for you.

My two cents.

Michael Mescher

[Virginia Mescher]

Re: Corsets

On the previous post, I forgot to mention that I was using my wife's login. Of course, she has worn a corset.

Michael Mescher

[3rd arkansawyer]

Re: Corsets

I am using my husband's login but I will offer my two cents as well. I have gone through 5 corsets in 8 years. Three corsets were mainstream and I was told that was fine. I was very slender but I can tell you that I was never so miserable as I was wearing those corsets. They pinched the ribs, poked my armpits and dug into my hips. Finally I took the plunge and ordered a corset from Kay Gnagey at Originals by Kay. I believe her name was mentioned in an earlier post. First I sent in my measurements and Kay replied with a suggestion of which corset that would be better suited to my frame and size. I loved it! When I gained quite a bit of weight last year, I once again contacted her. I sent in the measurements and after two months received my new corset. Wonderful. The perks about Kay is that she explains everything about the corset such where it should rest, how to tell if it's too small or too large, not to pull it too tight etc. Since then I recommend her to everyone. Oh by the way, I consider myself to be an excellent seamstress but once I discovered all of the materials involved and since I had already wasted my money, I decided to trust someone who has done her research. I even requested for a certain type of lace on it and she quickly replied that she had yet to see an original corset of that era with that type of lace and therefore she would not do it. How's that for accurate!!!

[3rd arkansawyer]

Re: Corsets

oh I failed to answer your other question....yes, many feel it is essential to wear a corset. As stated by another post, the corset supports the weight of the dress, petticoats and even hoop. You can always spot a woman from a mile away who isn't wearing one (yes you even tell if she is wearing a bra) and who is. Even the slender and small chested females need a corset. As I once was..sigh! I have a picture of myself not wearing one ( very early in my reenacting days) and my dress looked like a sack; it just didn't have the smoothness and the look. I live in deep south Louisiana and heat never bothered me while I was wearing my corset. In fact I felt more suffocated by the skirts than the corset. As for confinement, I have a lady friend who is scared of confinement and she now wears one

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Corsets

Wearing a corset or not goes beyond what modern hobbyists "feel", and into what the Original Cast actually did. Mid-century, the vast, vast majority of women wore a supportive undergarment (corset or stays). Those very few who did not occupied circles of society which most of us are not eager to portray.

As others have mentioned, a good fit is absolutely essential. It truly is possible to make corsets at home, but if you're unsure or very new to sewing, then absolutely use a good professional. I do not know if she has room in her schedule, but another name that might do a corset for you is Vivian Murphy (www.themantuamaker.net )--or if she's not taking corset work right now, she does some lovely work on the rest of the clothing for those who don't wish to sew themselves.

(Hmmm... have we all convinced Elizaboo to join the corseted brigade? :) )

[Spinster]

Re: Corsets

. It truly is possible to make corsets at home, but if you're unsure or very new to sewing, then absolutely use a good professional. )

In everything we do, we learn.

What Sister and I learned from making a corset ourselves (and from a fine, well documented corset kit): Some Things Are Best Left To Professionals :D

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Corsets

:)

Which is why I don't often knit. LOL