Tuesday, 3 June 2014

Week 7: Corset - a struggle for beauty!


Is it worth it ?

Corsets shape the body, shape the figure . Women from the moment of liberation, have worn them. Many people reach for it to eliminate the imperfections of their own body .

I will try to show you the pros and cons of wearing corsets.
1 Only a well- tailored corset is able to provide comfort. Low-quality corsets often wrinkled hurti and interferi with daily activities (That will be bad for our health).
2 whalebone ( stiffening parts ) . That is part of the biggest torture. Currently there is a trend to buy  steel underwire that hurts the body and is only for people already wearing a corset. In my opinion, it is better to invest in a softer one, which does not restrict too much movement. Of course there should be rules - the corset has to fit the body, not the other way round.
3 where is the boundary between the attractiveness and the disease ? Is the creation of an artificial waist is healthy? For me, a corset should model the body, not torture it.

In the world live women who tryi to break the record in the size of the waist. Two of them very intensively publish their achievements on the internet. This is Cathie Jung and Michele Koebke. Both of them wear a corset everyday restricting their movements, damaging their health just for the good looks. Is it worth it?
For both it is hard work and sacrifice. Both decided to change their  lifestyle. Michele and Cathie decided to adapt to the new body and accept its new requirements. Both Michele and Cathie have problems with their health, both of them have strongly deformed bodies. These women say that in this state they look more attractive.



Corsets add femininity. They add a sense of self-respect. They emphasize the silhouette and reduce waist. Often I just wonder whether it is worthwhile to interfere our own body at any price? Is it worth going back?
To sum . In the 18th and 19th centuries no one was interested in negative effects of wearing corsets. Now, in spite of medical knowledge and choice of comfortable clothes you can find people who choose this type of corsets deforming their body

What do you think about that ?
Do you think that reducing the waistline is attractive?
What do people do to improve their appearance and boost self-esteem?

43 comments:

  1. I'm a man, so I can say nothing particular about corsets. Only maybe that when I look at the videos that you put into your presentation, I find women wearing corsets as unattractive. I believe that beautiful appearance is not everything and things that really count are inside the person. That's why everyone should think twice when making decision of changing their bodies so significantly. Especially, since many beauty treatments bring irreversible and damaging results.

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    1. I completely agree. For me corsets makes woman look like an ant or something else what I cannot describe as "attractive". Destroying the body for any type of semi-higher aesthetic experience is sick and silly. I can understand some kind of body modifications that for sure doesn't change the one's health state. Any piercings, tatoos, hole in strange places etc. - they all are not as gory as a corset for me.

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  2. I think I could use one of these Corsets when I get fat (if it fits). In my opinion we should reduce our waistline by systematic workout instead of corsets but if someone feels better with it I see nothing wrong with wearing corsets.

    "I believe that beautiful appearance is not everything and things that really count are inside the person." - things men don't say

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    1. Well...I am a man and I just said that. Accept it.

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    2. Piotr, do not start, because you may hear that you're not a real men ;) I must agree with Piotr (with both his statements: about inner beauty and corsets). I do not find very small corset attractive. Not only it harms the body, while using it for the longer period of time, but it looks unnatural, Normal corset to present the body, sometimes to spice up the sexlife is OK, but those ladied, shown in the videos... That's too much.

      I think it's the same problem as foot binding (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnmOqpoDFEw)

      Watch out! Viewer discretion is advised!

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  3. Corset? I just learned a new word in English. The first sentences of your presentation surprised me – I didn’t know women worn corsets from the moment of liberation. From their structure and purpose (and probably stereotypic movies) corsets bring to my mind: sexy female salves, wild west and western movies and for some reasons (of course sexy) female pirates :)
    I had no idea they are fashionable aging, butI have no TV so there’s lot’s of things I don’t know :)

    The one thing I know for sure is that one of the corsets is irreplaceable in history of photography :) Here’s the picture of one of the famous classic photographers I really like:

    Horst P. Horst: Mainbocher Corset, 1939
    http://onlyoldphotography.tumblr.com/post/24889656899/horst-p-horst-mainbocher-corset-1939-in

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  4. Corsets are cool! That's a shame they disappear from women wardrobes.

    btw, did you know that there were and still are corsets for men ? weird things, really weird: http://afflictor.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/mencorset676767.jpg

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  5. Tiny waist always looks good, but women's body in extremely tight corsets looks ridiculous. For sure, this way for shaping body is a disaster for health. These girls should know, that stomach is not a plasticine, we have the muscles inside, so we must activate them - not squeeze :)
    From a fashion design point of view, historical corsets forms are the little masterpieces. Adornments, laces and original textiles makes them glamorous and unique. Throughout history, forms of corset were evaluating. And I noticed, that actual designers refers to this fashion.

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  6. Damn, it's okay, I didn't know they were used to reduce waist but if that makes that sexy woman shape, I love it anyway.

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  7. Going on gym is better than any corset woman can wear. I think that for a really big occasion yes it can be worn as any dress or jewelry but not all the time. I had seen one program on Discovery when a woman worn that thing for more than 20 years. She had her dreamed waist like wasp, but also she had a lot of issues with her back, stomach, pancreas and other things… This is not worth for me.
    Girls if you want to look good, go to gym and practice a little. Good looking woman is not the one that is skinny – without any muscles. A good looking rear is the one consist of muscles and a little dose of fat… Not flat and not fat.

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  8. Oh my God! How it is possible to wear it?! How is it possible to eat, sit or eaven breath in this thing?!
    No, I don't think it is worth. It looks ridiculous and unreal. I belive the form of corset look nice as a part of a dress for example but without squeezing a woman like a lemon... And as Sławek said - it is not healthy. I can't even imagine how anybody could do something like that to himself.

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  9. I'm a man, so my knowledge about corsets was quite scarce. Now I know much more, thanks. :-)
    To be honest, after reading your presentation I have the impression that wearing it must be a real torture. I think wearing so tight corsets is nothing but stupid. I'm of the opinion that women may look as good in T-shirts.

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  10. Probably most women (if not all of them) dream about a beautiful and proportional figure. But no extremity is good – most often they lead to degeneration or caricature. I see no reason to cause myself such an amount of suffering, because there is no result that would give a reason to it. But it is known, that demand creates supply, so surely these aesthetics are also addressed to someone.

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  11. For me, women from the videos do not look attractive.
    I think that they cut their own throat and that abnormal is to clench body in such way.
    I do not understand these people and their way of thinking.
    I'm curious what approach do their boyfriends and family have?
    Using corsets can give women a greater sense of value but everything should be done within the framework of common sense.

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  12. I don't like going to extremes, so in my opinion women with so tiny waists look riddiculous. Generally I can't say anything bad abut corsets because from time to time it is not bad to wear one if somebody has the right ocasion for it.But 24 hours a day is an exaggeration and waists should be normal, not as small as seen in the films. It is really dangerous as it goes for health. When people are not glad about their appearance they should change something with it of course, but they shouldn't play with their health.

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  13. I’m a woman and of course I dream about a beautiful figure but this way is extreme. If I have a good occasion (for exemple a costume party) I will wear a corset. But 24 hours per day is abnormal for me. I agree with Kasia that women with so tiny waists look absudly.

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  14. I think everyone can look as they want to. If you're damaging your health and you're doing it intentionally, with full awareness and responsibility - it's ok. Just don't have any regrets and don't be mad at world when something bad happens to you and I'm completely fine with corsets, platical surgeries and so on.

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  15. Corsets look impressive, I admit that. Everything is cool when it's good for own health, but according to this blog they've got a lot of disadvantages and I agree with them. There are better ways to become fit and slim, which hurting oneself is not necessary. You can start jogging, swimming, etc. and I'm sure, effects will be much longer and what is important, painless.

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  16. Corsets look impressive, I admit that. Everything is cool when it's good for own health, but according to this blog they've got a lot of disadvantages and I agree with them. There are better ways to become fit and slim, which hurting oneself is not necessary. You can start jogging, swimming, etc. and I'm sure, effects will be much longer and what is important, painless.

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  17. In my opinion corsets look terrifying. I would never wear it, I wouldn't even try to know how it feels like. After I watched those videos I can honestly tell that I think it is some kind of mental disease. There are a lot of ways to look pretty and atractive but corstes? Please... We can keep ourselfs beautiful without pain like that.

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  18. According to this presentation it cannot be denied that wearing corset is so unhealthy. Side effects are so danger: it deforms body, you can have some problems with breathing, bruises… Moreover, it looks really unpleasant. Too thin waist is not only disgusting but is also disproportionate to body. I hate it. There is some exercises to improve waist. It requires lots of self-sacrifice but it works! However, some women choose wearing corsets because they don’t have to do more – just wear and admire their new body.
    What do people do to improve their body? The best way to enjoy great body are exercises. Taking up sport is really exciting because you can see fast first effect.
    Using diet is also very popular these days. But there is a little probability that you lose weight and achieve satisfaction.

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  19. It's a strange topic for me - I am a men. But I try to write something about it. First of all, sorry ladies but I need to say that I like you in corsets. I love sophisticated parties with beatiful and elegant creations, often with corsets. But of course, I understand your point of view, and it is obvious that corset is very often not necessary. We love you just the way you are. And sometimes, when it becomes a paranoia, women in corsets look disgustingly.

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  20. I see corsets as a symbol of what was seen as beautiful in say, Victorian times. Things change, and these days,most women would refuse to wear something that cramps their movements to such a degree.
    I don't think it's too terribly weird. In fact, why are corsets so much different from uncomfortable high heels? Both cause discomfort and can damage your body, yet somehow the second is seen as alright. If someone feels better wearing them and thinks their more attractive, then bless them. I have more respect for women who have to work hard to have an appearance they are satisfied with (by having surgery or using make up) then those who are just born pretty and shrug everything off.

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  21. Honestly? I think it is at least not too smart to change your body proportions by crushing it with corset. Especialy for world record, i mean why? In what purpose? Exposing yourself for many possible health problems for being famous? What is wrong with people like that?
    Well, i think reducing waistline - A little! - to highlight hips and waist can look really nice, but only without exaggeration.
    What people do to improve thei appearance? Sometimes they do smart things - exercises, healthy food, more sleep, reducing stress and such, but in the other hand there are some amount of people who are just doing it wrong - plastic surgery, starving thmeselves to lose weight, exercising too much, and sometimes using suspicious substances with exercising at the gym, and then they look like bunch od baloons of weak muscles.

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  22. Personally I like corsets, I think that we (women) look at them incredible and it is very comfortable underwear for me. Of course I don't speak about corsets that don't give us breathe. I mean usual piece of clothing. I don't understand women who self-harm in this way. Waists as in women with videos don't look attractively, this looks ridiculously. If you wanna look fit, go to the gym- this is my rule.
    Generally people do a lot of strange things that look good. Unfortunately, sometimes the effect is the opposite. I don't support plastic surgery. But we all have free will and we do what we like.

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  23. As a man I have honestly no knowledge about female fashion, but corset (new word in my English dictionary, thanks!) reminds me the history lessons and France under power of kings with name of Louis. I think that it really helps the women to have awesome figure, but I'm not sure if this is healthy way.

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  24. Women wearing corsets look really beautiful and attractive. But it is really disgusting when they remove several ribs for their waist looking thinner. It is looking unpropotional and unnatural. Only an idea of removing a rib is disgusting. Maybe in some cases it is just psychological illness, when women can't stop making their waists thinner. It is close to anorexia.

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  25. Women wearing corsets look very feminine. However, I do not understand how you can spend so only for the appearance ?! How do they breathe? How do they move? It's terrible. I can not understand how they can do it yourself ... I wonder if it hurts them and for whom they do it ...

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  26. I like to watch women wearing corsets - then they look beautiful, but now everyone should try this. I've always wanted to buyt one good corset, but after reading some articles I decided not to.
    We also need to notice that not all of corsets have got so bad influence on our body. There are different kinds of corsets!

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  27. I really like corsets. I even have one! It’s not true, that corsets must be uncomfortable. It’s sometimes hard to buy corsets in online shop, but if somebody go to brafitter to make custom corset there’s no way it will be uncomfortable. Corsets have some disadvantages but they also can help people with scoliosis and woman after pregnancy to place their stomach muscles in right places.
    I think that most attractive are good proportions ;) And waist is important part of them.
    Simpliest way to improve appearance and self-estim is wearing make-up and comfortable clothes which hide your defects and highlight your beauty.

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  28. Personally, I would never like to wear such a corset. I prefer to wear my comfortable clothes. Corsets are impractical and painful. It seems to me that people do not change their appearance in such a way. When it comes to the waistline, we can achieve them in a more natural way through exercises. Maybe it will not be that spectacular, but does it look nice like Cathie Jung and Michele Koebke? In my opinion no. I prefer a more natural appearance, that's why I do not like stuck eyelashes, eye corrective lenses or different aesthetic surgery treatments.

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  29. Oh my God. I’ve just seen more pictures of these ladies on the internet. I'm terrified that they can look like that. In my opinion they are ugly and unattractive. I prefer the natural look of women. Reducing the waistline is a stupid idea because it affects health badly. Despite this, I admire these women that they’re confident and want to be different for other people. It's easy to criticize for us. But they must have endured a lot of pain and be very patient to achieve their goal.

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  30. In my opinion wearing a corsets is uncomfortable and bad for our body and health. Every woman want to have a perfect waistline but wearing corset or slimming underwear is unattractive for me. Nowadays there are a lot of slimming underwear models which makes some woman fell an attractive. In addition modern slimming underwear are soft, cosy for our skin and completely invisible under the clothes. I prefer natural appearance and I think that everyone should accept your looks.

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  31. I don’t understand the phenomenon of wearing corsets . I don’t like them personally, but I understand that other woman does. Maybe it can look attractive as long as a woman don’t overdo with its tightening. I think it looks unhealthy when woman have got too tight waistline. As it was said in the article, it can be dangerous for your health. I think it can be painful, uncomfortable and annoying. I think that wearing a corsets can be addictive. It reminds me of plastic surgery and other body modifications, such as piercings or tattoos.

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  32. I think that wearing corsets is uncomfortable (I'm sure it hurts) has bad influence on our health and I don't think that reducing the waistline is necessery, but I can imagine that for some people it is attractive. People do a lot of things to improve their appearance, but I think it's ok if they like it.

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  33. I believe that using a corset is uncomfortable but if somebody wants to do it, it's OK. However, we should remember that it was a tool of oppression against women and has become one of the symbols of patriarchy. An atractive look is not so important that one should put the health and comfort in danger in order to achieve it. Of course, there are some exceptions, e. g. some women (and men) have problems with their spine so in such cases it could help.

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  34. I always wonder why do people do things knowing how harmful they can be. Is it need to be popular or just simple human stupidity? You will say it's not my business or why do I care so much and why am I so critical. Well, actually because media tend to make a stink of nonsense and absurds. Media look for sensations and drama. Unfortunately, young people follow different media. They subconsciously take what they see as a pattern to follow. So by the by, even the example of a corset which is very harmfull for human body shows the tendency to suggest at what we see on TV. So if somebody wears a corset- fine. But do it rationally.

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  35. I used to wear corsets sometimes in the past. I do not mention it as something pleasant, just the opposite :) It was a very painful (early) experience. I think, however, that corsets look very nice in women and give them femininity and elegance. After all, for health reasons and comfort, I will not wear them again.

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  36. I think that what those women do in this post is ridiculous. I would never sacrifice my health and comfortability for looks. Nothing and no ones attention is worth that. But it's those women choice to do that and it is they decision to take. I didn't know that corsets are still a fashion trend. But apparently it's not only a trend but also a way to make oneself more attractive.

    For me personally reducing waist line is attractive but that doesn't really matter. Everybody is different and have different definitions of word "attractive", so for me it seems like reducing waist make women look better but for some people it not necessarily mean so.

    We live in the day and age of exhibitionism and it seems to me that people are able to do everything to make themselves look better. It is caused by social media and internet. It is common to use photoshop or fancy filters on photos to make oneself look better. Being active and eating healthy is also a trend just for having a better body.

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  37. Oh dear! Little does I realize that women's body can be so deformed... I know that hour-glass as shape of body is very desirable, but I believed that we was thinking about it as a metaphor...
    When I saw bodies of these women, I started wonder how are their internal organs. In our organism every organ have own place. And when somebody is reducing your waist, in some area is too less space. It is certain that it have a gigant influence for our healthy. I understand that everybody (especially women) want to look perfect. But... if is it true beauty?

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  38. Corset was part of women's wardrobe two centuries ago and it should never com back in my opinion. A lot of women dream about slim waist but I don't think that they expect that effect displayed on the picture… This way to embelish feminine body is definetely too radical and too dangerous for the body.

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  39. I do not think that it is cool, but I really like small waists. In my opinion it is really attractive. I am lucky, because I already have a small waist, so I do not need to wear things like that. I suppose it is not comfortable, but girls (especially young) would do A LOT to look like a famous person (for example a favourite model). I was one of them, so I know what I am talking about. For example, some of them are not eating, because they THINK they are fat. It is really sad. It could have a bad influence on their future.

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  40. I simply don't understand why people hurt themselves. I mean, I know that for them, wasp waist might be the most beautiful thing in the world, but I just can't stand, that they are harm their health. For me, it is definitely not worth it. Personally, I like small waists, but I strongly believe, that we can reach this by doing special exercises. I think it would be even prettier (and healthier) , than reached by corset.

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