The Costumer

Wearing any kind of restrictive garment requires attention to safety, especially if it is considered a costume or garb and not worn on a daily basis. Due to clothing restrictions in the past, people reminded themselves of different safety precautions than we do today. For example, a young lady’s mother might remind her to “mind the wheel” when wearing a dress in a carriage, as the wheel of the carriage could potentially pull the woman out of the carriage and beneath it. Because this is not part of our modern safety thought, a bride riding in a horse-drawn carriage at her Victorian wedding might not think of it–but definitely should.

Corsets and bodices are technically different things. The term bodice generally refers to any fit upper part of a dress. Corsets are specific garments worn with the intention of molding the body into a specific shape. Historically, corsets were considered undergarments only. Therefore, the things you see at renaissance faires are usually bodices. Queen Elizabeth wore a bodice as part of her dress as did Anne Boleyn. Victorian ladies wore corsets beneath their dresses to shape their bodies. Both involve lacing, though a corset is almost always laced from the back, usually by another person.

Today, both males and females wear corsets and bodices, though it is still typical to see mostly women wearing them. Both men and women can suffer from ill effects if safety protocols are not followed when wearing restrictive garments. Here are some tips to help you stay safe and fashionable at the same time:

Always go for comfort first. Yes, I am comfortable in a bodice, and you should be, too. Restrictive garments should not be laced too tightly. If you are an occasional or first time restrictive garment wearer, you should aim to minimize your waistline by no more than four inches. Keep in mind that your waistline changes over time and that’s okay!

• Eat a small snack about thirty minutes before donning the bodice. Some people experience a nauseating feeling if they do not.
• It’s perfectly fine to eat while wearing a corset or bodice, but do not gorge yourself. Most importantly of all, DO NOT UNLACE A BODICE OR CORSET AFTER EATING until your food has been totally digested. You may experience severe indigestion should you fail to follow this rule; the least that will happen is some embarassing flatulence with frequent bathroom trips.
• Stay hydrated when it’s hot. Take a rest when you need to. If your ribs can’t expand fully, realize you will be more physically limited and plan for it.
• Ladies should always fluff when getting into a bodice. That means you need to lean forward and position your breasts to ensure a proper, secure fit. This will also make breathing much easier.
• If your stomach cramps at any point, loosen the bodice or corset a little bit at a time.
• Before you don a corset or bodice, be aware of the fact that restrictive garments can and do physically arrange the organs in your body, particularly the kidneys.
• Seek medical advice immediately if you are unsure whether wearing a corset or bodice is healthy for you.
• Pregnant women should not wear bodices or corsets at all.

If you are at all in doubt, consult a medical doctor. Some people get very extreme with corsets, seeing how narrow their waist can go. You should remember that restrictive garments are about the shape of the body–the whole thing–not about how thin you are.

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