Elizabethan Pair of Bodies, Victorian Corset

Women's Garment Myths

Myth: A corset is a corset. I can wear any kind under my Elizabethan gown.

I tried this personally when I first wore a nobles gown. It doesn't work. As you can see above, the Elizabethan pair of bodies provides a very straight front body, with no curves at all. The Victorian corset is designed to provide curves, which doesn't work at all with an Elizabethan shape.

For an earlier Henrician bodice, a separate corset is unlikely to have been worn at all, with the kirtle bodice having stiffer fabrics inserted, like canvas or buckram. Boning references appear in household accounts after the middle of the century.

Image of Elizabeth's effigy corset retrieved January 29, 2007: http://web.comhem.se/~u31138198/bilder/Effigy%20corset.jpg

Image of Victorian corset retrieved January 29, 2007 from Farthingales. Laughing Moon - Silverado corset http://farthingales.on.ca/corset_comparison.htm