Antique Corsets

As you probably remember - I do not like to ride aside, even when I practice, without wearing a riding corset.  It helps my back beyond explanation!  I know lots of you feel the same way, so with that in common, I figured you probably also have an interest in corset history.  I could write a long dissertation about the history of corsets... but others have already done that ... and probably done a better job than me.. so without further delay, I just wanted to share these quite unique antique corsets.  Keep in mind, these are NOT riding corsets.

This first beauty is from 1880.

This is a bridal corset...so delicate and feminine!!

This is actually a corset made for a circus performer circa 1870.  You can see that it supported the young lady with her acrobatic act.

...and here is something I truly wish I owned a modern version of... a silk corset cover.  I have something similar - a cotton camisole I wear over mine, but it does not come close to the elegance of this garment!!

Let's Get Dressed!

Before we get started, let me just go ahead and appologize for the 50 year old model I used...

ummm - ME. 

My young and georgous daughters were not available to do this for me.. so just squint and imagine that I am 18 years old, 4 inches taller and a good 20 pounds lighter!

SQUINT HARDER!

Today a friend, Cherryl and I went to a historical event, reenactment of sorts, in Beaumont, TX.  We were asked to come and represent the American Saddlebred, do a couple of demo rides, hand out litature and well... just add to the fun of the event.  I was asked to ride aside and dress the part. 

I wanted to do a post on getting ready for a show.  By doing it today, I am not as steressed as I would be if I were going to a horse show ... so here we go:

Let talk about under garments.  I could not make myself take a picture of my panties.. so although I have my favorites and for good reason, I would suggest that you need to try out different styles and see what works for you.  Make sure they neither bunch, crawl, creep or God forbid - rub anything raw!  There I said it .. now let's move on!

Most women ride in sports bras.  Best invention for this situation as well, but lately, there are several models of sports bras to choose from.  I like the one below best.  My goal is not to just minimize movement, but minimize my size and not wear anything too bulky.            

Now that that is over with, lets talk socks.  I love high tube socks.  You can probably tell these are too large for me, but as long as the elastic is good around the calf and they stay up, I am happy.  I wear my socks inside out so the seam does not rub my toes.  

In the next 6 photographs, I am wearing exercise tights... for modisty sake.  Normally when dawning the next items of clothing, I am not wearing my riding pants.

This is a cotton camisole.  It is so delicate, I hand wash it, even though it is not an antique.  I love it because it is cotton and light weight.  I never wear my riding corset right against my skin.  I either wear this or a very very thin tank top to soak up any oils from my skin and as much sweat as it can.

Once I have this top on, I put my hair up and apply any makeup I might wear.

Every riding corset I own was made for me by Karen Trevor.  Ask, if you need her contact information.  I loosen the strings in the back, wrap it around and fasten it in the front, starting from top and working my way down.

I did not notice that it was not a bit crooked... 

 This is my waist with the corset loose.

And here it is cinched snug, but certainly not tight.  It really does take inches off your waist line and also makes for a nicer finished look beneath your riding top. Let's just say that even though I weigh what I did in High School.. I do not exactly look the same!

                                                     Happy girl!

Okay, so now is when I put on my riding pants, with the top of the pants coming over the corset.

Next I put on my blouse and a nice antique or antique looking pin at the neck.

 Tuck my shirt into my riding pants.

If it is cool outside, I will put on my jacket and boots and this is what I would wear to drive to the event.

If I was getting ready to ride, I would first put on my skirt..

...and then my jacket.

Since this was a fun demo event, I could not decide which hat to wear... this fun driving hat with feathers..

..or my derby.  I decided to take them both with me and let Cherryl tell me which would be more fitting...

..so this is how I get dressed to show.  It is a lot of work, but I just love it!

More Historical Corsets Inside and Out!

A corset from 1870. A bit less colorful but just as unique. It looks almost like leather, but it could just be the color.

1880 corset...exquisite in pale blue!

...and then someone finally figured out that a corset is so beautiful...maybe it should not be hidden underneath a dress!!

You know.. I enjoy the historical fashion side of this blog almost as much as I enjoy the riding... so I might drive you a bit crazy!

Thank you so much to all who have been leaving informational replys recently. I just LOVE to read them.

Leila - the saddle with the broken tree is the Knoud.

The Answer...

I can't fool you guys... both are antique corsets and both were made in 1890! I am not a corset expert, but was so surprised that such vibrant colors were used at a time when most riding suit colors were limited to brown and black!

1886 riding habit.

This one is from 1890.

These 2 are from 1897.

Beautiful...just beautiful!!

Corset Quiz...

Which corset is the antique corset?







Take your time and look at each picture..




Look at the details....



Look at the colors....



Look at the hardware of the garment...



..and tell me which one of these corsets was made in 1890.



I'll tell you the answer tomorrow!

To Corset...

If you are thinking about getting a riding corset, this may be all you need to convince you. Here are 4 pictures of me wearing the same riding suit, the first 2 with the corset...



...and the second 2 are without one...



So ..to wear a corset or not.........

To me ~ THERE IS NO QUESTION!!!

Corset Update!

Not sure if you remember, but the TASHA show was the very first time I showed wearing my corset. I also finally got up the nerve to tell my instructors that I was wearing one. I was so tempted to tell them before, especially when they would comment on how much nicer I was riding the trot. I knew it was the corset helping my lower back! But ~ alas, there was always another customer, student or a groom close by, so I would just smile and thank them for the compliment.

I first told Dora, the assistant trainer. I asked her if she remembered when my riding posture all of a sudden improved even after exhausting rounds of the dreaded "Extended Trot"! She did. That is usually when I would start to fall apart. Even though I post as best as I can, when the extended trot is called for, there is a LOT of motion going on in that saddle and the corset now buffers my lower back from some jarring blows. I never EVER hurt the day following a riding lesson or a show class! What a blessing that is to my (gulp) 49 year old body!

The next person to discover my secret was a lady who used to ride at our barn. She was complimenting my skirt and touched my waist. The hesitation in her voice and her body language begged for an explanation.. so I told her as well. Another gentleman put his arm about my waist for a group photograph... but I just let him guess for himself with a lip biting smirk on my face!

Yesterday I had the most glorious lesson! You see, many of the riders live close by each other and decided to go Christmas Light cruising... and as I hear, alcohol was involved.. so one by one they all called to cancel their lessons! Okay by me.. I received the best sidesaddle lesson I have ever had. It was just Sandy and I.. no other instructors, no other riders, no other grooms... so not only did we talk about my corset and how it has helped me... but I pulled up T-shirt #2 and let her see it. I said T-shirt #2 because I always wear a very thin T-shirt under my corset to try and protect it from any body oils and as much perspiration as I can.

I can cinch it all the way in now from the top to the bottom and I want to get the waist taken in. I know it could be pulled in another inch +. Karen is so sweet too. She offered to take it in for me at no charge. I have a huge dilemma though... I don't want to be without it even for 1 riding session.. so maybe I just "need" to have another one made!

Let me know what your experiences have been with your corsets.

First Corset Riding Experience..

While I tell you about my own experience..

I thought you would enjoy looking at this collection of antique cabinet photos. While some of these ladies are certainly laced up tighter than others, each photo holds its own unique charm!

As instructed by Karen, I was to wear my corset for several hours ~ the more the better, before I rode in it.

I was determined to wear it for my next weekend riding lesson, so I dug around in my closet until I found an outfit that would totally conceal the fact that I was testing my newly acquired piece of Victorian fashion. The only slightly noticeable area was a slight ridge the corset made at the top when I was sitting..but as I said, it was very slight. My thought about this was that it was not laced tightly enough around the top.. but time will tell.

I put it on that morning, cinching it up quite snugly and wore it for a total of 11 hours.

I was very pleased that it was not nearly as rigid as I had imagined and wafted my normal 28inch waist back to a lovely 26 1/2 inches which is almost as small as it was 3 years ago (pre-surgery)..but that is another story.

Leaving the farm and getting into my tiny Z3 was the one and only time I felt discomfort. I actually never realized how I contorted my whole body to get into that little car.. but no matter .. I just did more of a deep knee bend and then a funny looking lateral move and Wha - La.. I was in!

At the end of the day.. a very long day, I will not lie. My body was relieved to get out of the corset... but really not anything more than taking off a semi tight pair of jeans... which is a common thing for me .. especially after my surgery .. but, that is another story..[snicker]

So Saturday came and it was quite chilly. I was glad too because I really did not want anyone to know I was trying out the corset. I wore a very thin cotton t-shirt over my sports bra and beneath the corset. I decided not to lace it as snug as I had the day I wore it to work, simply because I know that I become winded when trotting Oliver aside.

I was very conscience of the corset when I arrived at my lesson.. touching my back making sure the laces were not coming untucked and keeping my sweater pulled down as well, BUT from the time I mounted to the time I got off, I did not think about it in any capacity even for one second. In reality that was the truth for riding 2 horses, both Oliver aside and Sport, my youngster in training, astride!


For my next lesson, I will be laced up a bit tighter and who knows, I might even tell my instructors that I am wearing it.

Vanity ~ Thy Name is...

JULIE!! My riding corset came in the mail yesterday. All I can say is that it is a WORK OF ART!It is made with the exact same vintage fabric and trim you see on this corset, which Karen made for her very own wedding ... which by the way was a huge honor! It was lovingly packaged and came in a hand made silk draw string bag.

I could not wait to try it on. I had to reacquaint myself with Karen's instructions as follows:

It's easier to put on your corset if there is someone there to assist you. However, you can successfully put it on by yourself using the following instructions.

STEP #1
First loosen the lacing at the back until there is a gap of about 4-6 inches. Put the corset around you (preferably not next to bare skin but over a camisole, slip, or chemise).

STEP #2
Once the corset is in place, fasten the front busk; do the top clasp first and the rest should follow.

STEP #3
Reaching around back, pull the loops gently then tighten the lacing progressively towards the middle from both top and bottom until you are happy with the fit. There should be a pleasant 'hugging' sensation, but you should still be comfortable.

STEP #4
To finish, tie the ends in a bow at back or front.

Note: It is very important that one not try to lace the corset closed, or even very tightly on the first several wearings, as corsets need "breaking in time". After a short period of wearing a corset comfortably, it molds itself to your body shape and the material takes the strain of waist reduction evenly. Placing too much pressure on the corset at the outset may damage the fabric and stitching. In addition, it may cause you discomfort and a negative feeling toward your beautiful new garment.

I tend to cross over laces at the back tie them into a bow and then tuck them under the bottom of the corset at the back. I haven't noticed them showing through the bodice but keep the knot as flat as you can, or bring them around to the front and bow there.

* * * * * * *

There is a video on You Tube that someone else made if you need a more visual guide.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkmz5ZNGdWM

* * * * * * *

After putting the corset on and tightening the laces to what I thought was 'comfortably snug', I took out my measuring tape. My normal 28 inch waist was now 26 1/2 inches and the corset was far from what I would consider to be tight!

This is an over the bust riding corset, made and measured for me to wear with my sports bra. It rises up on each side so that it is only 3 inches below my waist, but then cascades down in both the front and back offering support where needed! It has the elastic panels along the side, so there is not problem inhaling a full big breath. It is specifically made to my measurements so that it bells out at both the top and bottom. It is not larger than I am, but also does not cause the horrid muffin top or bottom when I wear it and that includes when I am sitting down!

Thank you Karen. I LOVE it and cannot wait to ride in it...and yes, I happen to be wearing it under my dress today at work!

If you are interested in having a riding corset made specifically for you, you can contact Karen via e-mail at corsetkaren@hotmail.com

Smoothing Out The Lines..

Reflections from the last show:

This was the first time I wore my new sidesaddle suit.

Although each of my riding outfits is unique in it's own way, I think I like this one the best. It was designed after this antique pattern: If you search further back into my blog, you will find a few other ladies who have the same design of a riding suit and it is easy to see why I wanted it!

In the future I plan to have another one made, maybe in brown...but before I do, I want to address a few issues. Okay - I'll be the first to say it.. I AM PICKY! I am also detail obsessed. I am not rude about it.. but I love details and I want things to be just so. I know that I am NOT 25 anymore .. in fact I am FAR from it and while I think I have taken good care of myself.. well.. I am NOT 25 anymore! My waist is a full 2 inches larger than it was a mere 5 years ago and my muscle tone is not as good either.

In looking through my pictures, I noticed something. First, that my suit jacket was not laying flat against my upper body and second, the folds were worse after I rode and was quite sweaty.

I'll be the first one to tell you that the 'folds' are not just in the fabric, but also in my body.. but who wants them to show??

In this picture after my ride, I remember sweat running down my back. The jacket pulled at me and stuck to me. This jacket is far from being tight.. but you cannot tell it by this picture! Beneath it I am wearing a sports bra, which is also not giving my body a particularly flattering look either.

So - there are 2 things to address: the riding outfit and my body.

The outfit:
When it was made, I chose to have it lined with a grey cotton fabric, siting that satin would be too slippery. My next suit will have a cotton lining in the skirt, but I am going to change the jacket lining to satin.

The body:
I would love to lose 15 pounds, I would love to lose 15 inches, Heck - I would love to lose 15 years... but lets get real here. I am a stress eater, and if you read my other blog, you know my life sometimes defines the word STRESS. For this reality, I purchased this:..and while I do like it, it is not cut high enough on my hips and it does not cinch in my waist the way I wanted it too. It also really pushes your breasts in an odd shape out from under your arms and from below. That combined with wearing it with a sports bra looks ... well ODD, which is why I chose not to wear it under my grey suit. It does however, give wonderful back support for those of us who need that, I would highly recommend it.

I have always wanted to have a corset made for me.. specifically for my body. I even knew the right person to make it for me, Karen Trevor. Well, I am thrilled to say that my riding corset is in the mail and on it's way to my door. Karen replicated her own wedding corset as she had enough vintage material left over and I am just counting the days until it arrives!! This is Karen's wedding corset:

..and here is mine in the stages of completion: