CORSETS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5838, 3 April 1897, Page 3

CORSETS.

It is a fact well authenticated that corsets wore originally adopted, not for health or comfort, but to conceal physical defects — that fruitful source of numberless oddities of fashion. When, or by whom, the first corset was Avorn is buried deep uuder the cobwebs of time. It is safe, however, to conclude that they had their beginning in stiffened bands of cloth that Grecian j and Eoman women Avound round their bodies. The physical' beauty of these Avonien was a paramount consideration both to themselves and their lioge lords. They called these swathing bands fascia and zona. The former Avas made of heavy linen or kid, and was worn next the skin, between the waist and the bust. The Romans greatly admired an undeveloped figure, and resorted to measures to retard nature's growth. These heavy bands were frequently bound about the chests of tho growing girls. Tho zona Avas also a flat band, but Avorn over the tunic; it Avas generally red in colour, and, though ordinarily simple in design, Avomen of rank frequently mado their .onas gorgeous Avith bright coloured embroidery and studdings of jewels. The fourteenth century saw the introduction of a garments that bore the first semblance to the corset of to-_ay. It was cut to conform to tho figure, and was laced sometimes in ' front, sometimes at tho back. It was made of various materials, and Avas often fur-bordered, which Avas excusable, since it was laced over the skirts.