Stupid book

[frualeydis]

The book The story of lingerie sucketh mightily.
First of all, its primarily purpose is to show semi-pornographic pictures of women. Though why I have no idea, one wouldn't think a book with that title would be interesting to the average straight guy.
Secondly, it is clearly written by someone who doesn't know anything about historical clothing. That lovely red satin/yellow leather corset from the 1880s they have at the V&A is described as:
"Corset in red satin, yellow leather and whalebone, with a steel hour-glass form" I can only assume it's the spoon busk that is called an "hour-glass form". They also claim that "the term 'corsetry' includes undergarments such as stays, corsets, girdles, waspies, bustiers, farthingales, panniers and crinolines".
Interesting grouping there.
Apparently its written on commission from some underwear manufacturer.

Comments

[mirazandar.livejournal.com]

I heard an interview on the radio a few days ago, with some girl who had written "the history of the bra" in norwegian. She knew quite a bit, which is annoying, cause then it's more probable that people believe all the misinformation she spurted out in the radio interview. Not only were corsetry described as pure torture instruments, and it was mentioned that they were worn outside the clothes. I'm not sure if i misheard her, but I think i heard the "surgically removed ribs" argument, which she really should have looked up before stating.

[isiswardrobe.livejournal.com]

I once came into an argument with a woman who claimed that in teh 18th century ribs were surgically removed. Apart from everything else, I pointed out to her that surgery in that age was a tricky busniness, and no one would come up with the idea to remove ribs. Buit she stubbornly claimed to be right. I shook my head and left.

I've seen that book, Eva, and agree!