Corsets In The 19th Century

19th century was known for its beauty and intricate designs. From corsets, to top hats to bustles and petticoats, fashion was layered and elegant. But such beauty was not without peril. Under the fine layer of silk and striking colour, were the risks that took a toll on the wearer. For their fashion was not as advanced as it is today, they had many dangers brought about their clothing. Deformity, flammable materials and arsenic dyes are among the most common problems they had lived with. Even back in the 19th century, women had a figure of beauty to conform to. The mostly commonly known piece was the corset. A corset was a vital piece in achieving the desired look of beauty. Women wore this piece to extenuate their hips and waist, and to mould their body. “To increase rigidity they were reinforced with many strips of whalebone, or cording or even pieces of leather.” [3] Though women adapted the tightness for the occasion, there were some who tight laced. This is where most problems would arise. Tight corsets

There has been a case of a death brought about my corset steel embedded into a mother’s heart. Corsets, however harsh they may have been, were not the most common death bringer. Crinolines were quite the dangerous piece for women’s clothing. A crinoline is a structured petticoat designed to hold out a women’s skirt. They were composed of hoops, sometimes lacing, and made of flammable material. Of course, large skirts did not mix well with open fireplaces. Women have passed from the burns they suffered, when their dress caught flame. Though the men did not wear skirts, they had collars. If the stiff collar was tight enough, it could cut off the blood supply to the carotid artery. Alternatively, if a man where to pass out after a night of drinks, and his head were to fall forward, the collar could cut off the air supply, suffocating the