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*I moved this from the garb thread! xd it didn't really belong there*


I was wondering - does anyone have any solid evidence of corset use pre-renaissance?

I have some - but I'm not sure how solid it is.


'Medieval Costume and Fashion' by Herbert Norris
Speaks of corseting, and even front-lacing corseting around the 1100's
and reffers to this picture

The bottom left-hand side - is supposed to be a figure of the devil.
" 'Her waist was so fine your hands could have girdled her.'
From an old French love song of the twelfth century." (quoted from 'Medieval Costume and Fashion' by Herbert Norris)

There's some more infromation in the book on this, but not much.

And I just wanted to know if anyone else had any evidence - because in my little shire there's one or two people who say "teeeeeeechnecally corests aren't period" etc etc (always in a way that makes you feel guilty, but they don't TELL you that you can't wear it) stare

But I wanted to attempt to make a corset like what's drawn in this book *there's a small illistration* And wear it to events. But I hate not being period!! You know?


Any suggestions? (or any suggestions on corset patters - where to find them, what material to use?) Would be much appreciated! heart 3nodding

Actually, according to a class I helped research (a little) the "tits on a tray" bodice is period for late ren. However, it was only worn by the cheap prostitutes.

Corsets may have been worn in period--but not by women. Corsets (like every other garment ever invented) were worn first by men, as part of armor. Corsets improve posture.

I know men who fight heavies in corsets. But unless you're Elizabethan (which of course is only considered kosher in some kingdoms) you shouldn't be in a corset.

Depends on what your idea of period is. Up here, we go to mid 16th century....ish....

it's specifically the front lace bodices that you're looking for?

if you're looking for something more general:

http://ncnc.essortment.com/historyofcors_rmue.htm

There honestly isn't that much documentation about the front lace bodice, unfortunately. Though it looks like (although not on this page) that there were some front laced ones later (1700s etc.) the late ones had the lacing over top of another rigid front panel, similar to the decorative faux front lace of the early 1500 germans (see, cranach or durer portraits. cranach especially.)

Most of the time, they made an effort to hide the lacings, with a side laced bodice for example, using the corsetry that was underneath as the shaper.

See? These are the exact comments I've gotten from this specific person in my shire!!

But - the book I have
"Medieval Costume and Fashion" - By Herbert Norris
Is a very good book, has descriptions, some small illistrations, and a lot of refferences!! sad

So I'm in a rut! xd I want to believe this book ... but .... I don't want the backlash from others!! xd heart

Haha, I thought as much - But I'm still very interested!! biggrin heart And if you could get the sources for me it would be VERY VERY MUCH appreciated!! 3nodding heart

Yes, of course! But I really want to get down to the bottom of this part of the book I read!! xd maybe make a new-ish discovery!! 3nodding Plus research is ALWAYS good in the SCA! blaugh heart

Well, corsets are definately period, but I'm still trying to find documentation of corsets and laced bodices that are pre-tudor. Here are some examples of pre 17th century corset use.... of course you can't actually see the corsets themselves, but you can at least see that they're being used underneath. All of these portraits are from between 1508 and 1540. A bit of a limited selection, but at least we can see that they were in use in some way. If I find some other styles, I'll post them later.