Nude Cotton Coutil Wasp-Waisted Corset

Victorian Late / Bustle · 1870s-1890s · American

This wasp-waisted corset demonstrates the extreme silhouette fashionable during the 1880s bustle era. Constructed from sturdy cotton coutil in a neutral flesh tone, the garment features vertical whalebone channels creating pronounced curves that dramatically cinch the waist while supporting the bust and hips. The front closure shows a series of metal eyelets for tight lacing, while the back would have additional lacing for adjustment. The corset extends from just below the bust to the hips, creating the characteristic hourglass figure. Multiple seaming lines are visible, indicating careful pattern-making to achieve maximum waist reduction. The construction represents typical American corsetry of the period, when such undergarments were essential foundation pieces for achieving fashionable dress silhouettes.