corsets aren't as innocent as you might think

[@strawberrymaple]

I seriously appreciate a corset video that ACTUALLY cites sources. All dress historians should support their claims with primary, secondary or tertiary sources.

[@joannaalston469]

love the nuance in this video! i feel like the costume community is so used to anti-corset takes from uninformed laymen that they swing wildly in the other direction. i wear an 1830s corset a few times a week, and although it’s custom made to a historical standard, it’s still restrictive just by design. corsets aren’t loungewear! a language note: the word squ*w (7:32) is generally considered a racial slur. i know you’re reading aloud from a historical document, but you might want to beep it out or warn for it.

[@analuciaurenabaena7222]

Thank you for this video, as well as the cited sources! I am currently working in an investigation for a final exam next week, and my theme is corset's significance through the last decades of the 19th century and the first years of the 20th century. I struggled to find information since I'm new to the historical dress studies world and my first language is Spanish. I love to learn about dress history, but I always encounter the obstacle of not knowing how to search for information or where to look at, which sources are available online, how to access primary sources, etc. I'm really grateful to you for introducing me to JSTOR! I made an account immediately and now I feel I'm really into the corset rabbit-hole. Thank you so so so much!

[@CarolineElizabethMartin]

Hi Ana, what a lovely comment. Good luck on your exam! I’m so glad I could help 😊 JSTOR is such a great resource!

[@analuciaurenabaena7222]

@@CarolineElizabethMartin Thank you so much! 🌷🌼❤️

[@nunyabusiness164]

This is fantastic! I often feel that costubers go too far defending the corset and end up portraying it as a morally neutral/good practice. When... Well. Shit's complicated.

[@CarolineElizabethMartin]

Everything is more complicated than it seems, that’s why I believe nuance is so important with even the most basic issues

[@LualaDy]

This might be the best corset video on youtube!!!! Now I'm wondering, you mentioned wearing one for your back pain, and it is a thought I've been toying with recently. My back pain is so bad, can't fall asleep because of it, can't sit straight, etc. I do however have digestive issues, I am not squishy AT ALL! no belly, very little breasts, no fat to work with at all. How would that even work?

[@CarolineElizabethMartin]

Thank you Luala! Oh wow I am sorry to hear about your back pain. So my back pain results from standing all day, so while I am standing I make sure to wear it. There are modern versions like back braces that might not impede digestion. I really hope you find some relief soon 🙂

[@LualaDy]

@@CarolineElizabethMartin yup same here, I cannot stand up straight or sit straight for more than a few minutes. Back collapses and starts to hurt.

[@sirenelectric143]

@@LualaDy i actually had the same issue. Couldn’t stand up straight because it hurt my back and immediately made my back muscles feel tired. Was getting a lot of shoulder and neck pain and I’m very active, lots of yoga and gymnastics but the one thing I could never get was a flexible back or shoulders. Like if I tried to do any back bends or any yoga pose with my arms up and you have to bend back or side ways I immediately felt like I couldn’t breathe. I luckily have no underlying condition, so I decided to go to a chiropractor. At first he thought it would be too bad but after my first adjustment had me come twice a week for a month, then once a week after that. After the first 2 weeks I couldn’t believe how much it helped and how much straighter I was standing with hardly any of the symptoms I had before. I also have to do a lot of fascia work stilll to break down old scar tissue from old injuries around my back and ribs. I would highly recommend deep tissue massages and chiropractic adjustments with a trusted chiropractor…from my personal experience they have made a world of difference

[@LualaDy]

@@sirenelectric143 thank you for sharing! I do have a physiotherapist taking care of me, I see her once a month!

[@loisruthstrom8143]

@ Caroline Martin @ Luala Dy @ Siren Electric My husband went to a chiropractor (bad idea) and later had a neurosurgeon perform a fusion (another bad idea). His back just kept getting worse. What does help him, is the book "Pain Free" by Pete Egoscue. He says that he wishes he could've been able to do these re-alignment excersises in the first place. Another thing that helps him, is walking laps in a swimming pool with the water chest high. The body doesn't weigh as much in water, so this allows him more excercise without the painful pressure. Unfortunately, the indoor pool is closed indefinitely for repairs. Ugh! Hope this helps! 😀🌼🌼🌼

[@vittorioballeriocastoldi6171]

In that era all medical related stuff were unregulated and shameless. Here in Milan we still call the illustrative paper in the medicines bugiardino that literally means little lier

[@CarolineElizabethMartin]

sì, è vero, la maggior parte della medicina prima del 1950 era discutibile. tra 100 anni mi chiedo cosa dice la gente della medicina di oggi lol

[@vittorioballeriocastoldi6171]

@@CarolineElizabethMartin almeno oggi abbiamo una conoscenza decente della chimica

[@CarolineElizabethMartin]

@@vittorioballeriocastoldi6171 si e il metodo scientifico

[@davriecaro3036]

Thank you for giving another video people may use in this very nuanced discussion, which is the corset ( and other garments like stays and pairs of bodies). I do find it interesting how similar the discourse of the corset is to the discussion in bra wearing. This makes me wonder about how in the future. People may talk about wearing bras similarly to how people have talked about the corset. Actually I think Karolina Zebrowska made a funny video doing that exact thing actually... Though I am not hundred percent sure

[@CarolineElizabethMartin]

You’re so welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊 yes many of these points can be applied to the bra, which is super interesting. It’s such a nuanced subject

[@timemeddlertardis5343]

I don't know, I wear one regularly, and the breath issue was never a problem loading the robotic welding machine lifting bulky steel parts in and out.

[@justinpaglia616]

Very informative video. Great job! 👍🏻

[@CarolineElizabethMartin]

Thanks Justin 🥰

[@stevezytveld6585]

It's amazing to me just how much of the current social structure gets tied up in our knickers. So to speak. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[@CarolineElizabethMartin]

It really is wild!

[@saralist1200]

I enjoyed your take on the corset discourse and it’s especially interesting seeing an opinion from someone who wears corsets. Thank you for a thought provoking and interesting video!

[@CarolineElizabethMartin]

You’re so welcome! Appreciate the feedback 😊

[@sarahrosen4985]

When your list of People to Pay Special Visits When You Get Your Time Machine Working just got longer. Very very special visits.

[@brandyloutherback9288]

It all depends on how you wear a corset. If you tight lace or wear your corset incorrectly, then of course it would be uncomfortable.

[@CarolineElizabethMartin]

I think it depends on each person’s definition of comfort. I wear my corset for support. In order to receive that support I sacrifice a bit of comfort and breathing room. Some people would say not being able to bend at the waist is cumbersome and uncomfortable and some wouldn’t. It’s all about perspective. I appreciate the feedback!

[@jennifermoriarty2188]

@@CarolineElizabethMartin i can bend and have full motion in my corset...my are historical and custom to my body

[@tokyocooney]

Fascinating!

[@CarolineElizabethMartin]

Thanks Kevin! Give ga a big hug for me 😊

[@daniellevaljean6690]

I would really like to see an actual scientific study that does medical imaging on modern tight lacers. That would settle a lot of questions. It can’t be healthy, but I don’t see any good reason to trust the anecdotal evidence of about a 100 years ago. I really enjoyed your exploration of the grey area! I had always wondered about this since I was little. I could never figure out what alternatives a busty woman would have before the invention of bras. I have looked into it several times over the years and have only very recently found satisfying answers. I am thankful that fashion historians have access to so much more information recently, but I agree that some reinterpretation of history I have heard is not very nuanced.

[@CarolineElizabethMartin]

Thanks for your feedback Danielle! I’m so glad you enjoyed the video. The history of foundations is super interesting and needs to be explored further imo. I actually have a 1998 study authored by Gau from the University of Iowa linked in the description that does conduct medical imaging! Although I’m not entirely sure if they were tight lacing.

[@LixiaWinter]

Caroline: let's see who this evil corset really is Rips off mask, revealing capitalism, patriarchy, sexism and racism Capitalism, patriarchy, sexism and racism: I could have gotten away with it, if not you meddling costubers!

[@CarolineElizabethMartin]

Haha love this!

[@benrex7775]

History is complicated and they thought differently than us. Got it. I'm curious how people in a hundred years view our culture. Which seemingly normal thing now is actually absurd and which of the many though movements right now will win out in the end.

[@Richardsonprincess00]

Thinking of a historically accurate Titanic on Edwardian outfits?

[@CarolineElizabethMartin]

Yes 🙌🏻 I am making Rose’s corset and the jump dress

[@Richardsonprincess00]

@@CarolineElizabethMartin 👌👍