Corsets and Crinolines

Norah Waugh. Corsets and Crinolines. New York: Routledge/Theatre Arts Books, 2000.

Both corsets and crinolines have been worn by women for centuries. The corset dates back to the middle of the 16th century, and its use has continued through present day. Crinolines made their entrance into high fashion in the beginning of the 19th century after replacing panniers and a series of devices intended to accentuate the female form. While both were intended to change the appearance of a woman’s shape, the corset often reshaped the wearer’s ribcage, as x-rays have shown.