The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-11
men MUST WEAR CORSETS
THAT is THE LATEST DECREE OF
THE FASHION AUTHORITIES.
Ridfculed for Years, They Are Now
Declared to Be Essential to
Grace and Health.

other foreign makers of fashions have at
last decreed that corsets for men shall be-
come a reality. They are being made and
are being worn and while the adoption will
10 doubt be made with some trepidation on
the part of men. they are. nevertheless, be-
ing called a blessing by those who are dar-
ing 10 become the pioneers in making cor
sets regular part of their attire.
These mems corsets are the product of an
American lady corset company located at
Detroit This concern, whose name is known
wherever corsets are by either sex.
has set about the task of popularizing
mems corsets. knowing fun we'll the ex-
istence of the false prejudice and of the
ridicule they are counting and must over
come.
The promoters of this innovat ton do not
expect the immediate arrival of a masculine
corset craze. Realizing they are offering
an article that for generations has been
held up to scorn. there is something more
than sentiment in their intention. They be-
lieve that corsets for men are absolutely
practical and essential. They know that
campaign in favor of mems corsets must be
a campaign of education, and that is what
they are inaugurating.
ton: would you wear a corset?" he
would throw up his hands and quickly an
swer "No." But that would probably be
because he knows nothing of the article. of
it's uses or of it's value Many men who
said six months ago they would not wear
corsets are wearing them to-day and swear
ing by them, declaring the one great mis-
take the arbiters of fashion have made has
been in not decreeing long, long ago that
men should be corset Clad
But it is not merely for fashion that
this new article of wear has been devised.
The health and comfort of the wearers
formed the first consideration. The same
rule applies 10 mems corsets that applies
to women's corsets Women accept cor
sets as ordinary articles of attire. Though
they sometimes misappropriate them by
tight lacing, yet any woman who wears a
well-fitting corset will say it never bothers
her, but that it does, the contrary, pro-
duce agility of movement I'm walking, and
is really exhilarating brace. For the
new mems corsets no more than that is
claimed. but just that much is claimed.
Now these mems corsets are not aimed
to give men any ridiculous shape or to
make them appear effeminate. Yet it is pos
sible to give shape to the figure, but
whether not the form is given a curve
at the sides and back remains wholly at
the will of the wearer.
The other day the writer met a we'll
built man who is a wearer of the new cor
set. He unblushingly confessed to wear
ing it,
eff there is any ridicule to be pointed
at any one it is at the man who does not
wear corset" he said ct feel more COM
fortably dressed than ever did in the days
when 1 was a scoffer like others. Now
unconsciously stand erect, my chest, you
will see, is thrown out and feel perfectly
at rest. Were there nothing else to recon-
mend these corsets this alone would insure
their permanent acceptance
This man is a corset enthusiast, and yet
run to fads or to ridiculous things. He
wants and gets what gives him comfort,
and that is why he is wearing a mans cor
set. He says it is rsstful to the spine that
it makes him stand erect, step more lightly,
and breathe deeper.
Corsets for men not altogether a new
thing. In Europe, and especially in Ger
many and France, the men in the armies
the European soldier can, in a great meas
ure, be attributed to the wearing of a cor
SET Following the lead of the soldiers,
many of the best dressed and most highly
cultured gentlemen of Europe have found
them comfortable and essential. They have
learned what American men will in time
learn, that they are a great aid to correct
poise and splendid appearance.
x@t1
proper lines by the use of a proper corset.
This would at first, be a virtual disguise
for the figure, but what at first will be
disguise will become a natural form, and
instead Of being round-shouldered, flat
chested. and with prominently protruding
stomach, the corset-wearer will possess the
form of a real man. more like the Romans
or Greeks of old than like our slovenly ap-
pearing, STOPPING men of to-day.
Corset-wearing men have always been
ridiculed because a few tops have at times
affected the article and have taken pains to
make the fact known. In the time of Queen
Elizabeth there was a fOp at court who
wore corset, the purpose of which was to
compress the waist and give the man an
effeminfte appearance. The corset was more
like a coat of armor than anything else
The new American Gentleman corset in no
way resembles that old atrocty.
OF course, the corset custom would fur
nish the masses with new food for ridi-
cule, and especially would this be true If
the corset impaired the health OF the
wearer. But it does not do this, nor will
IL ever
The introduction of mems corsets will be
attended with many difficulties That much
is to be expected There is prejudice
against il, deep-rooted. long-lived prejudice,
but its champions are certain this prejudice
will pass away.