forrestbondurant:

historicalfashion:

Royal Worchester Company corset, Met, ca. 1902

This corset was most likely maternity wear, due to its extra adjustability. The corset itself is constructed of four pieces, with extra sets of eyelets and lacing at back, and there are large elastic panels inserted at front. This would allow the wearer to use the corset for a majority of the maternity term, as the corset could easily loosen as the stomach expanded.

YEAH OR JUST NOT WEAR ONE AT ALL BECAUSE YOU’RE FUCKING PREGNANT, YOU DUMBASS.

seriously what the fuck. they made women wear this shit when their bodies were performing their natural functions, like being pregnant?

they’re lucky we don’t have time machines yet because i’d go back there and Feminist-Hulk-out on these fuckers.

Pardon me, but corsets weren’t used during maternity to inhibit the natural functions of the body. Modern people don’t realize that corsets, in their day and age, were used much in the same way that we wear bras and even back braces today - for support. Ever spent a day without a bra? It can hurt, especially if you’re large busted. Yes, some women tight-laced then, but it was about as common in the Victorian age as it is now - meaning it was not common in the least, and certainly not during a woman’s pregnancy. A pregnancy corset was mainly a supportive garment, not a restrictive cage designed to confine a swelling belly and harm the growing child.

Ever seen one of these in modern stores for pregnant women? I introduce you to the function of a maternity corset.