What are the myths you’ve been told about corsets?

Join Bernadette Banner as she unravels fact from fiction, revealing five things you may not have known about history’s most misunderstood shapewear.

From the medical origins of early corsets to surprising revelations about children’s “waists”, Bernadette weaves personal anecdotes and historical artefacts to paint a more nuanced picture of corsets which goes beyond the stereotypical narrative.

This video has been made to accompany The Cult of Beauty exhibition, showing at Wellcome Collection until 28 April 2024.

Contents of this video:
0:00 - Intro
0:36 - Some early corsets were medical devices
01:28 - Corsets can be extraordinarily comfortable
01:54 - Functional corsets versus tight lacing
02:24 - Kids and babies wore corsets
02:48 - Some 19th-century men wore corsets
03:22 - Wearing a corset won't cause any harm (just don't lace too tightly!)
03:50 - Conclusion

#TheCultOfBeauty #WellcomeCollection

Music: Nkisi, Lament II (instrumental)

Credits:

Über die Wirkungen der Schnürbrüste ‘The effects of the corset on the spine’, Samuel Thomas von Soemmerring 1793, Wellcome Collection

Corset with rosebud design, À La Couronne Paris, 1900–5, Reproduced with permission of Fashion Museum Bath   / fashion_museum_bath  

Maternity corset, Spencers of Banbury, 1950s, Reproduced with permission of Fashion Museum Bath   / fashion_museum_bath  

Baby’s stay, 1800-25, Reproduced with permission of Fashion Museum Bath   / fashion_museum_bath  

Orthopaedic corset for bone or muscle realignment, 1800s, Wellcome Collection / Science Museum Group

Advertisement for Harness’ electropathic belt, The Medical Battery Co., Ltd., 1893, Wellcome Collection

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