Corsetry
Corsetry has been popular in western fashion for centuries, as a way to mold the body into a shape to fit fashions of the era, to give the upper body support for medical purposes, and to accentuate certain body features (perhaps, a slim waist and bigger hips). While much more common before the early 1900s, corsetry continued to be worn throughout the 20th century. From advertising “health belts” to figure-slimming girdles, Sears catalogs from the 1930s to the 1960s are indicative of the persistent use of corsetry in mainstream fashion.
