Dressing for Dinner in 1912
Hooks and eyes text & pictures Beatrice Behlen L
How long does it take you to get ready
mould your body into ‘the correct line’
for a big night out? I am not talking
is the function of your next layer: the
about the days, or even weeks, you
corset.
might have spent deciding what to
Predominantly functional, corsets
wear, but about your preparations on the actual day. Maybe 20 minutes to put on your clothes – assuming you might have to squeeze into some tricky shape-wear, 30 minutes for your make up – particularly if false eye lashes are involvedvand 15-30 minutes for your hair? Now imagine you are an upperclass woman dressing for dinner (maybe at Downton Abbey?) in 1912.
were usually made of light-coloured, densely woven and often subtly patterned fabrics, with few decorative features. They were stiffened through ‘boning’: the insertion of long, narrow strips originally of so-called whalebone but now more commonly of celluloid or steel. Encasing your body from below your breasts to your upper thighs, the corset is responsible for shaping you
si st er
Assuming you start off in the nude,
into a high-waisted and slim-hipped
you will probably first put on a pair of
being in preparation for your outer
drawers and a sleeveless chemise,
layer. A split metal strip or busk, at
both reaching to around your knees.
the centre front holds hooks and eyes
Or you might wear ‘combinations’:
for fastening and also helps to make
a camisole with knickers attached –
your belly disappear. The laces at the
very modern! These garments, made
back of our ready-to-wear corset can
of cotton or silk, might be decorated
be used for minor adjustments. Now
with embroidery, lace and ribbons but
attach your silk stockings to the two
are relatively loose and shapeless. To
or more long, elastic suspenders or
M AG
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