Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1880-11-04
COMPRESSED WOMEN,

In one large dry goods store counted
among the corsets eleven different kinds
that were warranted to make women's
bodies shapely without pain. That
promise was variously worled, but in
every case it was delusion and snare.
The waist cannotebe squeezed without
hurting. Whether the bones of corset
run perpendicular, horizontal or diago-
nally, they are bound to be uncomiorta-
BILE ii they condense the warer too much,
the assertions of manufacturers to the
contrary Notwithstanding. 1 wear cor
set, bear in mind, and therefore know
what l am talking about. There is no
occasion Just now however, to raise a CRY
on this subject, for too tight corsets are ex-
ceptlOnS. Some women are foolish enough
todangerously compress their vitals forthe
sake OF unnatural slenderness.bu fashion
does not require it. AS they are now
generally worn, corsets are more com
fort than otherwise. Women with much
flesh on their bones would not like to be
without them. The present evil practice
in this direction is that of forcibly fat
tening the bosom. Time was when
roundness there was something to be
proud of, and was artiticially produced
it nature had not been bonteous; now
tiatness Is considered desirable.
and is often attained by wear
ing corsets, high, stiff and binding in
front. That this folly is perilous must
be appraent to every sensible person.
In prosy fact, rs well as in poetry, the fe-
male breast is susceptible, and will not
bear hard usage. There is much inge-
nuity expended on corsets. About no
other article of dress is fashionable wo-
man more tinicky. That is why dealers
are compelled to keep SO many kinds in
stock. But women who can afford ii
have their corsets made to order, often
paying as high as $25 fora plain, though
carefully fitted one. Those who de-
mand of their dressmakers that their
bodies shall tit like glove, without
corsets alwaysof the same size and shape.
Otherwise perfect fit one time will not
be so at another. Many women are SO
soft and plant that they can be shaped
by corset to almost any desired figure:
but having chosen model, they must
stick to it, or altar their dresses with
every change Of stays. Formerly, when
skirts were voluminous, it did not matter
what the corset was like below the waist
line; but now, with skirts lying flat over
the hips and abdomen, the ;outlines of
the entire trunk are OF Importance. This
has led to extension of corsets downward,
until women who are commonly encased
from shoulder to leg. The corsets display
ed in the stores, with their ribs of bone
and metal look like rows of ancient ar
mour. The lengthning is a good thing,
because it equalizes the pressure and
prevent girting in of the waist alone.
Some of the corsets made to order by
really skillful are wonderfully clever pro-
ductions. They are constructed after the
most careful and elaborate measurements
and with q view to improving the wearer's
figure as much as is consistent with com
fort.
There are changes of fashion in corsets,
but these usually relate to col
lorand decorations. Just now a recovery
is being made from last springs range
for bright hues and fine needle-work. and
corsets are setting back into things OF
pure utility. They are again made
wholly of white or light drab, and those
beautiful affairs of satin and en-
broidary are not finding much favor
among reputable women. If the woven
Jersey costumes come into use this fall
(and there is reason to believe that they
will have, however brief,) smooth-tittine
corsets will be more than ever requisite
because the clinging Jersey reveals every
unevcnness in the surface underneath.
The question, how early ought girl
to put on corset was raised in mind on
seeing i'll store one that would not more
than fit child of 4 years. l know
mothers who actually put on their girls
ut that age; but the practice is, happily
nncommon.and their use is not often be
gun under II. BY that time, nine times
out of ten, girls waist is as large as il
ever will be, except for fat, and the or
gans within will not be injured by stays
that do not squeeze severly. If they
could be made to act as shoulder brace.
the prevelance Of bad figures would be
lessened.