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'''Wasp waist''' is a women's fashion silhouette, produced by a style of [[corset]] and [[girdle]], that has experienced various periods of popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its primary feature is the abrupt transition from a natural-width [[human rib cage|rib cage]] to an exceedingly small waist, with the hips curving out below. It takes its name from its similarity to a [[wasp]]'s segmented body. The sharply cinched [[Waistline (clothing)|waistline]] also exaggerates the [[hip]]s and [[Breast|bust]]. |
'''Wasp waist''' is a women's fashion silhouette, produced by a style of [[corset]] and [[girdle]], that has experienced various periods of popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its primary feature is the abrupt transition from a natural-width [[human rib cage|rib cage]] to an exceedingly small waist, with the hips curving out below. It takes its name from its similarity to a [[wasp]]'s segmented body. The sharply cinched [[Waistline (clothing)|waistline]] also exaggerates the [[hip]]s and [[Breast|bust]]. |
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In the 19th century, while average corseted waist measurements varied between 23 |
In the 19th century, while average corseted waist measurements varied between {{convert|23|to|31|in|cm}}, wasp waist measurements of {{convert|16|to|18|in|cm|}} were uncommon and were not considered attractive. Ladies' magazines told of the side effects of tight lacing, proclaiming that "if a lady binds and girds herself in, until she be only twenty-three inches, and, in some cases, until she be only twenty-one inches, it must be done at the expense of comfort, health, and happiness."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Chavasse|first1=Pye Henry|title=Advice to a Wife on the Management of Her Own Health, and on the Treatment of Some of the Complaints Incidental to Pregnancy, Labour, and Suckling; with an Introductory Chapter Especially Addressed to a Young Wife|date=1863|publisher=John Churchill and Sons|location=London: New Burlington Street|page=19|edition=5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0hQDAAAAQAAJ&dq=tightlacing&q=size+of+the+waist#v=onepage&q&f=false|accessdate=29 January 2018}}</ref> Instead, fashions created the illusion of a small waist, using proportion, stripe placement, and color. Extreme tight lacing ({{convert|15|-|18|in|cm|abbr=on|disp=or}}) was a [[:wikt:fad#English|fad]] during the late 1870s/'80s, ending in around 1887.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kunzle |first=D. |url=http://www.corsets.de/Data_from_paper_patterns_advertisem.php |title=Fashion and Fetishism |accessdate=June 20, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite thesis |last=Klingerman |first=K. M. |url=https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/3732 |title=Binding Femininity: The Effects of Tightlacing on the Female Pelvis |type=Master's thesis |publisher=Louisiana State University |year=2006 |accessdate=June 20, 2007 }}</ref> |
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Among the multitude of [[medical]] problems women suffered to achieve these drastic measurements were deformed [[ribs]], weakened [[abdominal muscles]], deformed and dislocated [[internal organs]], and [[respiratory]] ailments. Displacement and disfigurement of the [[reproductive organs]] greatly increased the risk of [[miscarriage]] and [[maternal death]].<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Connor |first=E. |url=http://yjhm.yale.edu/essays/eoconnor20070608.htm |title=Medicine and Women's Clothing and Leisure Activities in Victorian Canada |accessdate=June 20, 2007 }}</ref> |
Among the multitude of [[medical]] problems women suffered to achieve these drastic measurements were deformed [[ribs]], weakened [[abdominal muscles]], deformed and dislocated [[internal organs]], and [[respiratory]] ailments. Displacement and disfigurement of the [[reproductive organs]] greatly increased the risk of [[miscarriage]] and [[maternal death]].<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Connor |first=E. |url=http://yjhm.yale.edu/essays/eoconnor20070608.htm |title=Medicine and Women's Clothing and Leisure Activities in Victorian Canada |accessdate=June 20, 2007 }}</ref> |
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Revision as of 19:51, 24 August 2019
Wasp waist is a women's fashion silhouette, produced by a style of corset and girdle, that has experienced various periods of popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its primary feature is the abrupt transition from a natural-width rib cage to an exceedingly small waist, with the hips curving out below. It takes its name from its similarity to a wasp's segmented body. The sharply cinched waistline also exaggerates the hips and bust.
In the 19th century, while average corseted waist measurements varied between 23 to 31 inches (58 to 79 cm), wasp waist measurements of 16 to 18 inches (41 to 46 cm) were uncommon and were not considered attractive. Ladies' magazines told of the side effects of tight lacing, proclaiming that "if a lady binds and girds herself in, until she be only twenty-three inches, and, in some cases, until she be only twenty-one inches, it must be done at the expense of comfort, health, and happiness."[1] Instead, fashions created the illusion of a small waist, using proportion, stripe placement, and color. Extreme tight lacing (15–18 in or 38–46 cm) was a fad during the late 1870s/'80s, ending in around 1887.[2][3]
Among the multitude of medical problems women suffered to achieve these drastic measurements were deformed ribs, weakened abdominal muscles, deformed and dislocated internal organs, and respiratory ailments. Displacement and disfigurement of the reproductive organs greatly increased the risk of miscarriage and maternal death.[4]
See also
Notes
- ^ Chavasse, Pye Henry (1863). Advice to a Wife on the Management of Her Own Health, and on the Treatment of Some of the Complaints Incidental to Pregnancy, Labour, and Suckling; with an Introductory Chapter Especially Addressed to a Young Wife (5 ed.). London: New Burlington Street: John Churchill and Sons. p. 19. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
- ^ Kunzle, D. "Fashion and Fetishism". Retrieved June 20, 2007.
- ^ Klingerman, K. M. (2006). Binding Femininity: The Effects of Tightlacing on the Female Pelvis (Master's thesis). Louisiana State University. Retrieved June 20, 2007.
- ^ O'Connor, E. "Medicine and Women's Clothing and Leisure Activities in Victorian Canada". Retrieved June 20, 2007.
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