I had no idea children wore corsets too! It makes sense though, considering the role of corsets as a type of underwear rather than purely fashion, the way it is used today.
Yes! My Weldon Book of Victorian Crochet includes many patterns for such children's garments presumably mainly for added warmth given the material/method of construction.
In the movie The Piano Lesson, Anna Paquin’s character, a child in the film, is seen wearing a corset (or a pair of stays, I can’t remember which) in one scene, and I remember being shocked by it at the time, I was sure it was some kind of aesthetic choice or something 😂
And each time a new generation watches a movie, like Gone With The Wind or Pirates of the Caribbean when Elizabeth faints from wearing a too tight corset, they will be indoctrinated into thinking tightlacing was a widespread thing. Rinse and repeat forever.
I literally just started wearing corsets, girdles ( 1940-60s) and 18th century style stays as I historically reinact at my local museum and I’m having a blast. I will never forget the feeling of breaking into my first Edwardian-style corset and feeling completely comfortable as I actually took the time for two months on and to break it in and get my body used to wearing one.
Same, I'm 3 weeks in with my corset and it's already feeling much more comfortable than the first few days. When I look at stays I imagine they are so comfortable.
Proud memeber fo Catherine de' Medici time trallers soicety here. Been through many corset talks and videos. Just wanted to add my own two bits here. I fell and broke a rib just after the new year. A couple days later the same rib popped out. To make things worse the rib triggered muscle spasms which made it difficult to breathe. I put on a corset to help support averting. During one of the spasms I thought I was going to black out. The corset help me up while I breathed through the near fainting spell. It was amazing. I was once told by someone who had a fainting disorder thanks to a car accident that corsets can help with that. Wow what a life saver. Now that I'm fully healed and switched back to my modern bra I'm wondering why we ever stopped wearing them. (I switched back becuase I have been doing a lot of sewing lately and it's easier to wear a bra instead of climbing in and out of the corset for garment fitting. I may switch back when I'm done with my garments)
I think they look so much more comfortable that a bra - especially with a larger figure - they are more robust and structured to hold in place - I know I'm among many woman who are having to tug a bra back into place fairly regularly - it digs in unattractively sometimes - and they just don't always fit right. I look at a properly fitted corset and they do look both beautiful and comfy.
I threw my back out 3 weeks ago. I’m lucky. I’m a seamstress and have gotten into corset and had made one that fits me perfectly. I wore it for two weeks to help support my back while I healed. It was amazing… when I sneezed or coughed it gave my back strength to push against where as if I didn’t have it on I would have torn more ligaments. I also have a daughter who has slight scoliosis and sloped shoulders. We made her one and her posture is gaining strength when she’s not wearing it. They are amazing… I wish people accepted them as normal because we have to hide them under our cloths… but they are really pretty. 🤷♀️
Straightness of backs was definitely a priority. My husband's grandmother was born in 1898. She was made to sleep without a pillow and did so her entire life, flat on her back. I loved seeing Bernadette teaching this segment. Well done!
Bernadette is always ready to give you a few crumbs of her vast knowledge. On her own page...she doses her fans with humour, story telling, and KNOWLEDGE ❤
It's funny how the video starts with a disclaimer that can be roughly translated to: "this is definitely NOT everything you need to know about corsets", we stan some healthy academic shade from Ms. Bernadette.
Ironic that they believed corsets caused dyspepsia, since a corset was the only thing that kept the pain in check when I had an ovarian cyst burst. No medicine would touch it, and nothing else caused the right pressure in the right places. Now I make sure to have my corsets on hand and seasoned.
As someone who wear corsets regularly: It's a HUGE relief for my back and shoulders, that usually have to carry a large bosom. A good bra is essential, but it can't beat a well-fitting corset.
I stumbled over a framed ad for the Harness Electrical Corset in a vintage and antique shop the other month, and picked it up as a fun decoration with connections both to medical misinformation and quackery, dress history, and the not-tightlaced nature of most corset wearing. And then it crops up here! 😂
Bernadette, you look absolutely stunning, as always! ♥ I love watching these types of videos to school what I already know and what I don't... being a regular Banner watcher, I already knew most ;)
Simply wonderful pithy overview!😀👍🌟🏅 And, as always, such a Fantastic Video! I so greatly admire your work, and enjoy the cinematography & other imagery & presentation(s) as much as your lecture style and content! (I am *thus far* always delighted with your videos, regardless of how formal or informal the presentation)
I wear corsets when I go to school since I sometimes wear full 1890s style attire and my skirt is rather snug in the waist plus the bulk of the blouse tucked into my waistband needs a corset to provide modesty and comfort since the bunched up fabric leaves marks on a bare tummy.
"5 things you (probably*) won't know about corsets, with Bernadette Banner." * (unwritten part of title) Unless you are one who has watched Bernadette Banner's channel for _years._ 🙋🏼♀️
Though corsets and stays are not harmful in a direct way, I believe that it might weaken the muscles long-term when overused, as it helps with straighter posture while worn, so the muscles don’t need to work as much. Which might ultimately lead to bad posture as well. Bad posture is also linked to bad blood flow for example, so indirectly, wearing stays and corsets still might lead to health issues. Though I am a huge fan of them and plan on wearing them.
When I had pertussis (AKA whooping cough) at age 34, I coughed so much for half a year, that I ended up straining or even tearing the muscles between my ribs. I didn't have a corset, but I started wearing bandages around my ribs, so my ribcage couldn't expand (and consequently collapse) as much during the many coughing spells I went through. I would love a good corset. Where can I get a good one?
Fact is, sensational 'facts' and images related to tight lacing will always be more memorable to your average person not interested in history than well-researched facts. It's sad, but the myths will always persist...it's just human psychology.
"When I was young" LOL from my perspective.....sigh.:) Incidentally, army officers often wore corsets in Europe anyway - due to having to fit into very tight uniforms.
Hmm. I was under the impression we don’t have any extant examples nor primary evidence of men’s corsets, only “power belts” and long breeches. The caricatures certainly suggest waist reduction, but who knows. Great content as always, Bernadette is always a gem.
Caricaturists then as now tended to mock the far extremes of fashion. Did SOME people tight-lace for vanity? Undoubtedly. But they were probably few and far between. It's like using the Kim Kardashian "look" and thinking MOST women are so phony and weird.
-Question 1: What's wrong with the framerate?- Never mind, my video playback was set to -75. Question 2: What's with the messy hair? Don't get me wrong, I like it, but I'm still curious. 😁
My supervisor mentioned all the pain her generous assets cause. Suddenly my office transformed into a classroom for women's health and fashion history... And for once I wasn't doing all the talking. It was wonderful.
All I can say from working on costume dramas is fainting is real. Especially going up and downstairs. Wether that is down to overtightening or not is something I defer to the experts. On one shoot we had 5 different ladies collapse. For gentlemen the combination of tight braces and tight waistcoats acted very much the same way though we didn't lose any of the gentlemen to fainting. Though there was a lot of back pain.
To my ears it sounds like most all of them were wearing corsets or outfits that were too small, tight and poorly fitting. A good corset is made for your measurements and fits well without restricting
Bernadette and other historical costuming TH-camrs did a huge livestream on this. If the corset was a problem then IT WAS DONE WRONG. (Seriously why would women wear them for 300 years if they weren't comfortable and supportive?)
My question here would be: did the actors / models get time to get used to wearing a corset? Since we don't use them in modern times, it might take a few days to get used to it. I started wearing mine pretty loose and tightening a bit more as I went along. The backpain occured at first but was gone after I got used to it. Of course it only works if the corset is properly fitted, like others suggested already. If the measurements are right and it is not laced too tight, they should be quite OK I'd think. At least that's my own experience with corsets. Hope our tips are helpful to you and your team. I love costume drama's, so keep making them please 🥰
Thank you so much for having me! It was a delight to chat corsetry!
I cant get over the evolution of bernadette's hair. From gibson girl to Missy-themed chaotic mob boss. Love both 🩵
I'm absolutely here for Bernadette's Missy era!
I had no idea children wore corsets too! It makes sense though, considering the role of corsets as a type of underwear rather than purely fashion, the way it is used today.
Yes! My Weldon Book of Victorian Crochet includes many patterns for such children's garments presumably mainly for added warmth given the material/method of construction.
In the movie The Piano Lesson, Anna Paquin’s character, a child in the film, is seen wearing a corset (or a pair of stays, I can’t remember which) in one scene, and I remember being shocked by it at the time, I was sure it was some kind of aesthetic choice or something 😂
They also helped support heavier layers of skirts and petticoats by distributing the weight more evenly across the torso and hips.
It likely functioned similar to a Training Bra; to get a young girl accustomed to wearing it (in addition to providing weight support for the skirts)
Loved the Catherine de Medici time travel society reference xd
bernadette serving looks and education as usual!!
Bernadette must continue preaching this, because the misunderstandings and falsities are still too widespread.
And each time a new generation watches a movie, like Gone With The Wind or Pirates of the Caribbean when Elizabeth faints from wearing a too tight corset, they will be indoctrinated into thinking tightlacing was a widespread thing. Rinse and repeat forever.
This is the kind of content that I look forward to: Myth-busting and historical transparency. ☺️ Thank you, Bernadette, it's been a pleasure. *Bows*
I see Bernadette, I click. Excellent video
I'm that way, too! "Bernadette?" Click!
I literally just started wearing corsets, girdles ( 1940-60s) and 18th century style stays as I historically reinact at my local museum and I’m having a blast. I will never forget the feeling of breaking into my first Edwardian-style corset and feeling completely comfortable as I actually took the time for two months on and to break it in and get my body used to wearing one.
Same, I'm 3 weeks in with my corset and it's already feeling much more comfortable than the first few days. When I look at stays I imagine they are so comfortable.
Proud memeber fo Catherine de' Medici time trallers soicety here. Been through many corset talks and videos. Just wanted to add my own two bits here. I fell and broke a rib just after the new year. A couple days later the same rib popped out. To make things worse the rib triggered muscle spasms which made it difficult to breathe. I put on a corset to help support averting. During one of the spasms I thought I was going to black out. The corset help me up while I breathed through the near fainting spell. It was amazing. I was once told by someone who had a fainting disorder thanks to a car accident that corsets can help with that. Wow what a life saver. Now that I'm fully healed and switched back to my modern bra I'm wondering why we ever stopped wearing them. (I switched back becuase I have been doing a lot of sewing lately and it's easier to wear a bra instead of climbing in and out of the corset for garment fitting. I may switch back when I'm done with my garments)
Wow, that sounds like a very painful experience, glad you're healed now!
I think they look so much more comfortable that a bra - especially with a larger figure - they are more robust and structured to hold in place - I know I'm among many woman who are having to tug a bra back into place fairly regularly - it digs in unattractively sometimes - and they just don't always fit right. I look at a properly fitted corset and they do look both beautiful and comfy.
I threw my back out 3 weeks ago. I’m lucky. I’m a seamstress and have gotten into corset and had made one that fits me perfectly. I wore it for two weeks to help support my back while I healed. It was amazing… when I sneezed or coughed it gave my back strength to push against where as if I didn’t have it on I would have torn more ligaments. I also have a daughter who has slight scoliosis and sloped shoulders. We made her one and her posture is gaining strength when she’s not wearing it. They are amazing… I wish people accepted them as normal because we have to hide them under our cloths… but they are really pretty. 🤷♀️
when i hurt my back my corset was a lifesaver
Straightness of backs was definitely a priority. My husband's grandmother was born in 1898. She was made to sleep without a pillow and did so her entire life, flat on her back. I loved seeing Bernadette teaching this segment. Well done!
omg yess! love seeing Bernadette talk about corsets and fashion history ❤❤❤
I love the welcome trust and bernadette banner so this is possibly the best video I've ever been given
Bernadette is always ready to give you a few crumbs of her vast knowledge. On her own page...she doses her fans with humour, story telling, and KNOWLEDGE ❤
Engaging, clear, visually appealing, with a compelling narrative. Excellent work!
It's funny how the video starts with a disclaimer that can be roughly translated to: "this is definitely NOT everything you need to know about corsets", we stan some healthy academic shade from Ms. Bernadette.
This was waaaaayyyy too short. I could listen to Bernadette talk for hours
Ironic that they believed corsets caused dyspepsia, since a corset was the only thing that kept the pain in check when I had an ovarian cyst burst. No medicine would touch it, and nothing else caused the right pressure in the right places. Now I make sure to have my corsets on hand and seasoned.
Enjoyed the vid always happy to see Ms. Bernadette 💕
As someone who wear corsets regularly: It's a HUGE relief for my back and shoulders, that usually have to carry a large bosom. A good bra is essential, but it can't beat a well-fitting corset.
The crossover I didn’t know I needed!!
I stumbled over a framed ad for the Harness Electrical Corset in a vintage and antique shop the other month, and picked it up as a fun decoration with connections both to medical misinformation and quackery, dress history, and the not-tightlaced nature of most corset wearing. And then it crops up here! 😂
Would love to explore more of the Wellcome collections, guided by Bernadette.
I usually watch videos about corsets to spread awareness of the misconceptions, but this time, Bernadette taught me ne things!
Being a Dr.Who fan and a Bernadette Banner fan I’m starting to find Bernadette look more and more ‘Mistressy’…disturbing and fascinating
I thought the same thing too! Glad I'm not the only one.
Bernadette, you look absolutely stunning, as always! ♥
I love watching these types of videos to school what I already know and what I don't... being a regular Banner watcher, I already knew most ;)
wow, even for the seasoned dress-history-tube-viewer a truly enthralling video!
Bernadette's hair looks so good here. It's giving 90s/00s Pamela Anderson updo but make it antique.
Simply wonderful pithy overview!😀👍🌟🏅
And, as always, such a Fantastic Video!
I so greatly admire your work, and enjoy the cinematography & other imagery & presentation(s) as much as your lecture style and content!
(I am *thus far* always delighted with your videos, regardless of how formal or informal the presentation)
This was very interesting, even while I already knew most of it. This Video should reach way more people!
Such a well suited crossover, I hope you collaborate more ❤️
Fascinating. Thank you.
Very well done.
I think you did a great job.
I really love this video!
This should have way more than 1,300 likes!
I am such a Bernadette fan. Buy her Book! Even if you don't sew, you will find it beautiful. :)
Great video!
Shoutout to our favourite time-traveler Catherine de Medici ❤
I wear corsets when I go to school since I sometimes wear full 1890s style attire and my skirt is rather snug in the waist plus the bulk of the blouse tucked into my waistband needs a corset to provide modesty and comfort since the bunched up fabric leaves marks on a bare tummy.
"5 things you (probably*) won't know about corsets, with Bernadette Banner."
* (unwritten part of title)
Unless you are one who has watched Bernadette Banner's channel for _years._ 🙋🏼♀️
OMG its Bernadette Banner! ❤❤❤
Though corsets and stays are not harmful in a direct way, I believe that it might weaken the muscles long-term when overused, as it helps with straighter posture while worn, so the muscles don’t need to work as much. Which might ultimately lead to bad posture as well.
Bad posture is also linked to bad blood flow for example, so indirectly, wearing stays and corsets still might lead to health issues.
Though I am a huge fan of them and plan on wearing them.
I love Bernadette she’s awesome
When I had pertussis (AKA whooping cough) at age 34, I coughed so much for half a year, that I ended up straining or even tearing the muscles between my ribs.
I didn't have a corset, but I started wearing bandages around my ribs, so my ribcage couldn't expand (and consequently collapse) as much during the many coughing spells I went through.
I would love a good corset. Where can I get a good one?
Love the curly hair updo! Cute!
Fact is, sensational 'facts' and images related to tight lacing will always be more memorable to your average person not interested in history than well-researched facts. It's sad, but the myths will always persist...it's just human psychology.
"When I was young" LOL from my perspective.....sigh.:) Incidentally, army officers often wore corsets in Europe anyway - due to having to fit into very tight uniforms.
Come now Bernadette, we all know Catherine de Medici forced her court to lace down to 14 inch waists using corsets made of tusks.🤣
First comment on a Bernadette Banner video?
I'm the 11th comment after this being up for 9 days. I guess sewists are more chatty?
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi
Sort of makes you wonder what kinds of claims people a hundred years from now will be making about today's bras.
Hmm. I was under the impression we don’t have any extant examples nor primary evidence of men’s corsets, only “power belts” and long breeches. The caricatures certainly suggest waist reduction, but who knows.
Great content as always, Bernadette is always a gem.
Caricaturists then as now tended to mock the far extremes of fashion. Did SOME people tight-lace for vanity? Undoubtedly. But they were probably few and far between. It's like using the Kim Kardashian "look" and thinking MOST women are so phony and weird.
-Question 1: What's wrong with the framerate?- Never mind, my video playback was set to -75.
Question 2: What's with the messy hair? Don't get me wrong, I like it, but I'm still curious. 😁
If you don't follow Bernadette, you should! Also, she has guinea pigs. Just saying.
I watch her channel I was surprised to se her here
Yay Bernadette!
Corsets have saved my broken back and made heavy boobs more bearable. Hurrah to modern corsetry!! A must for any woman who is a fan of comfort 😂
Cool 😀
My supervisor mentioned all the pain her generous assets cause. Suddenly my office transformed into a classroom for women's health and fashion history... And for once I wasn't doing all the talking. It was wonderful.
❤
BERNADETTE!!!!!!!!
❤❤❤❤😍😍👍👏
Oh those Medicis
I simply let my back atrophy until I started exercising it; I just see corsets as a crutch, even if they are indeed comfortable.
All I can say from working on costume dramas is fainting is real. Especially going up and downstairs. Wether that is down to overtightening or not is something I defer to the experts. On one shoot we had 5 different ladies collapse. For gentlemen the combination of tight braces and tight waistcoats acted very much the same way though we didn't lose any of the gentlemen to fainting. Though there was a lot of back pain.
What if I suggested that the corsets you were provided with were not properly fitted?
To my ears it sounds like most all of them were wearing corsets or outfits that were too small, tight and poorly fitting. A good corset is made for your measurements and fits well without restricting
Bernadette and other historical costuming TH-camrs did a huge livestream on this. If the corset was a problem then IT WAS DONE WRONG. (Seriously why would women wear them for 300 years if they weren't comfortable and supportive?)
My question here would be: did the actors / models get time to get used to wearing a corset? Since we don't use them in modern times, it might take a few days to get used to it. I started wearing mine pretty loose and tightening a bit more as I went along. The backpain occured at first but was gone after I got used to it. Of course it only works if the corset is properly fitted, like others suggested already. If the measurements are right and it is not laced too tight, they should be quite OK I'd think. At least that's my own experience with corsets. Hope our tips are helpful to you and your team. I love costume drama's, so keep making them please 🥰
No, they weren't
Dolly Parton could answer some corset questions. I think she's been wearing them since she was a young teen. For support of the 'twins'.