Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1894-09-13
TIGHT LAClNG IN ENGLAND.
what Some Women Undergo In Order t,
Have Small Waists,

What Some Women Undergo In Order to
Have Small Waists,
A representative was sent to interview
the most prominent corset makers.
81 am reputed," one of them said, "to
have the t. yhtest lacing customers in
London, and | think that some of the
waists my corsets encircle would be hard
to beat. Do you know" she continued,
u think that some of my customers
positively like the sensations produced
by tight lacing, or they would never
take all the pains they do to get thin,
such as dieting and sleeping in corsets,
as some of them do"
sleeping in corsets?" / exclaimed.
"Oh, yes; a good many, and especially
young ladies, do; an opera stay or riding
one is favorite make for the purpose.
Let me think. Yes! The largest pair
OF corsets 1have made had waist meas
urement of 35 inches. The smallest
well, you won't believe me, perhaps, but
12t inches was the size. No. l don't
think she'll be able to get them close.
Every inch under 10 with most ladies
means tremendous lot of lacing in.
I've known young lady to break five OF
six silk laces as strong ones as are made,
in getting pair of new stays close"
"How small is your pretty assistants
waist?" l asked.
Generally about IA to 14t inches"
"She scarcely seems to mind it at all, -
remarked.
"Oh, no. She is used to it. | find it
best for all my assistants to have trim
figures, but she has tight laced to that
extent entirely Of her own free will.
Lots of my customers lace to II, 16 and
even 10 inches. l suppose you haven't
seen smaller waist than Miss -'s?
mo"
"Would you like to-"
"Yes," l replied, "if such a thing is
practicable.
Mrs. - rang small bell.
"Ask Miss - to come to me-"
In few minutes the young lady ap.
peared, and Mrs. - and she went into
an alcove. Another assistant was sum.
moned, and then whispered consulta.
ton took place. After another minute
we heard Mrs. - ask, Can you beal
it?" and the answer, "Quite, madam"
Mrs. IS voice again: There, Miss
-! l think the laces are close; tie
them tightly"
Two or three minutes later Mrs. -
and Miss came out from the alcove
the latter incased in long wasted black
satin corset, which made her waist look
scarcely larger than her throat. II
seemed incredible that any girl-for sht
was little more could breathe and
move, let alone move about, without
much apparent discomfort, when tight
laced to such an extent.
81 suppose" said Mrs. -, smiling a
my look of astonishment, that you vii
now believe what | told you before
namely, that a well cut corset and strong
arms will make woman's waist almost
any size she may wish. See" she ex
claimed, taking up measuring tape of
q chair, "Miss IS waist is only 13!
inches"
"How long could you bear being laced
up like thaty" asked.
Miss - smiled. "Not very long
it is rather painful-half an hour; per
haps an hour"
Mrs. - said, just as we were leav'
ing: "You know, l think tight lacing
becomes a positive mania with some
women. There are two of my custom
ers, for instance-theatrical people-whc
usually wear their waists about II
inches. Well, when at home they botf
lace themselves as tightly as their maids
can do it,"
Another states that at some schoolsth thu
girls are not only encouraged but forced
to lace. Five different women said that
they made corsets for girls of sixteer
and under with waist measurements Of
10 inches, and all agreed that girls are
put into corsets much earlier than for
merly.
In France, on the contrary, tight lac
ing is by no means SO prevalent as for
merly.-Gentlewomen.