‘Now, there is a right way and a wrong way of putting on a corset, and as this lesson should appeal to every woman, young or old, it should be learned with care and followed scrupulously.’ (Every Woman’s Encyclopaedia, 1910-2)

How To Lace A New Corset For The First Time

‘Few women know how to lace a corset properly. When first tried on it is better to have the help of an intelligent assistant. Many ladies are in the habit of beginning the lacing from the bottom, leaving the corset well open at the top. This practice is wrong, and is not necessary if the corset is of the proper proportions.

In preparing to try on a new corset, first lace the corset loosely from top to bottom. In inserting the lacings at the waist line, pass them through two consecutive eyelets on the same side, thus making a loop in the lacing. Then put on the corset and draw it up first at the waist line to the required tightness by means of these loops. In this way the smallest part of the corset will find the smallest part of the waist, and it will settle into its natural position.

Then tighten the lacing from the waist to the bottom, and lastly from the waist to the top, until the whole corset conforms properly to the contour of the body.’ (Talks Upon Practical Subjects, 1895)

How To Put On A Corset By Yourself

‘Each time a corset is put on it should be loosened and the lace pulled into place again after the corset is on. If you attempt to wear your corset without taking this precaution it will result in broken side bones.’ (The San Antonio Light, 1908)  ‘If a corset is laced every time it is put on it will give the best satisfaction.’ (Bill Barlow’s Budget, 1894)

Loosen the corset laces, then ‘hook the fronts together. The corset will be very loose;’ there must be no strain on the corset. Adjust the chemise or combination under the corset if necessary. Now begin to pull the corset laces, ‘making a very great point of giving the lungs ample play. Fasten the laces on the waist-line at the back first of all, then pull in the lower part from the waist downwards, and tie them also.’ (Every Woman’s Encyclopaedia, 1910-2)

‘Put your corsets on right […] corsets will always be comfortable if put on right. First, have the corset opened to the full extent of the lacers, which must be of linen, and five to eight yards long. Clasp the corset about the waist, pulling it down slightly and adjusting it to the figure. Fasten and adjust the front hose supporters, then at the sides and at the back, keeping the corset well down in front, as it must support the abdominal organs, not push them down. Now pull the lacers at the extreme lower edge of the corset, lacing upwards to the waist line, begin then to draw in the lacers from the top to the waist line.’ (The Detroit Times, 1910)

Leave A Parallel Lacing Gap At The Back

‘Do not lace your corset so that the bones at the top of the back meet, while their lower extremities will be far apart. If you do, and have adopted the corset for the grace of outline you expect it will give you, you will be disappointed, since the shapeliness of a corset depends upon a parallelism of the bones at the back; or if they diverge, they must do so on lines like these, )(. Then you will get a breadth of chest and hips, and the corset will impart its shapeliness to your figure.’ (Beauty – Its Attainment And Preservation, 1892)

Don’t Tie The Lacing Around The Body

‘Never tie the lacing around the body; it is sure to ruin the best corset and is also the worst form of tight lacing. […] The front and side steels can be bent as the wearer wishes until they conform to the lines of the body and are easy.’ (Talks Upon Practical Subjects, 1895)

‘It is not a good plan to bring the waist laces round to the front, because the extra bulk of ties in front is awkward and unnecessary, and a feeling of restraint is given to the waist by the ties.’ (Every Woman’s Encyclopaedia, 1910-2)

How To Put On An Edwardian Straight-Front Corset

Straight-front corsets, today often called S-bend corsets, became popular in the Edwardian era. Edwardian straight-front corsets have a different shape and purpose than late Victorian corsets. The purpose of straight-front corsets was to create a straight line from the bust to the knees with a larger waist measurement than late Victorian corsets: the wasp-waist has completely gone out of fashion in the 1900s. Because Edwardian straight-front corsets had a different shape, it was necessary to put them on in a different way.

‘Much depends upon the adjustment of the corset. A woman should stand upon the ball of her foot […] draw in the abdomen, forcing the hips toward the back. […] the small of the back […] is really where the pressure of the new corset shape is felt – not in the pit of the stomach, as in the older models.’ (The St. Louis Republic, 1902)

How To French Lace A Corset With 3 Separate Laces

Lacing the corset with one continuous lace was known as ‘American’, whereas lacing the corset with 2 or 3 separate laces were known as ‘French’ in the 1900s.

‘On the proper method of lacing corsets there is a difference of opinion, some contending that one long lace, pulled up and tied at the waist is best, while others insist on the use of three laces, one tied at the top, one at the bottom and one at the waist line.’ (The San Antonio Light, 1908)

‘The woman who tries to obtain a gracefully curved figure with the aid of one corset lacing is making a grevous mistake. The French women learned long ago the secret of employing three laces, whether the corset be worn loose or tight. The first lacing is put in at the top in the usual way, on each side as far as two eyelet holes at the waist, which are placed near together. With another lace begin at the bottom and lace upward, leaving two eyelet holes, four on each side. With this arrangement, the corset may be made to fit the bust, hips and waist as in no other way.’ (The Willimantic Journal, 1897)

‘Most corsetières maintain that there is a right and a wrong way to lace corsets. The unlearned are apt to draw their lacings through the eyelets, give them a pull, and think they have done all that is necessary. The proper way, however, is somewhat intricate.

Divide the laces into three separate pieces and lace them separately. Lace from the top hem to within three eyelets of the waist; then begin with a new string and lace through two eyelets beyond the waist line; from there take up a third lacing and continue to the bottom of the corset. The idea of this is not to draw the corset in any point except the one desired.’ (The Puritan, 1898)

How To Lace A Corset With 2 Separate Laces

‘For the average form, splendidly proportioned and stout figure use two laces: slip the lace into the eyelets at the top of the corset, lacing to the center eyelet, leaving long loose ends. Slip the other lace into the eyelets at the lower edge of the corset, lacing to the center. Pick up the ends, draw easily, according to figure proportion, and knot firmly in order that the laces will not slip or stretch, as the corset would gradually loosen and ride up on the figure.’ (The Minneapolis Journal, 1902)

How To Lace A Corset With One Continuous Lace & Knots

‘Your corset must be suited to your figure, and then laced as follows: Take two long laces and begin at the top of the corset. Put them through the eyelets in the usual manner until about two inches above the waist-line. There tie them in a hard knot, and proceed as before to an inch or so below the waist-line. Tie another hard knot here, and finish lacing in the usual manner. Put the corset on, and, drawing the strings just as usual, make it as snug about the waist as you can comfortably wear it and get it off and on without untying.

Now have some one adjust the rest of the lacing both above and below the hard knots, until it is smooth but does not in any way bind your chest, bust or hips, and when so adjusted, tie the ends of the lacing cords, both at the top and bottom, as the adjustment permits. In this way you will feel perfectly easy, unless you have made the waist-line lacing too tight. If you have, the fault and any injury that may result, will lie at your own door. If you have faithfully followed the above instructions, your corset will do you no injury and will give you a gentle support that is graceful and beneficial. […]

The bones and fabric of a well fitting and well made corset or corset-waist are protective of the tender skin of the flesh beneath them, since they come between it and the bands of the skirts, which must necessarily be moderately tight to insure a proper hanging. The reverse is true when the skirt bands are worn underneath the corsets, for then even a light pressure will produce welts and marks from these bands, often almost causing an abrasion of the skin.’ (Beauty – Its Attainment And Preservation, 1892)

Silk Corset Laces = The Best!

In the Edwardian era, flat corset laces made of silk were considered the best lacing. Flat silk corset laces were more expensive than other types of corset lacing but worth the money. Flat cotton corset laces were the next best option. Whereas round corset laces should never be used, according to 1900s sources, because they are uncomfortable. And there even existed elastic corset laces in the Edwardian era! ‘If you suffer from a feeling of oppression, and you are quite sure that it does not proceed from a too tightly-fitting corset, use an elastic corset lace.’ (The Ladies’ Home Journal, 1893)

‘Corset laces should be ‘made of silk. Silk is more expensive than cotton, it is true, but it wears well and is very comfortable. The round cords that are substituted for silk ones in cheap corsets hurt the spine […], mark the lingerie, and produce a feeling of discomfort. The flat cotton laces are better, but the flat silk ones are the best. […] They can be pulled in much more easily than cotton ones, and retain their place when tied in a bow. Furthermore they “give” with every movement of the figure, and add, therefore, to the grace of the wearer as well as to her comfort’ (Every Woman’s Encyclopaedia, 1910-2).

‘By-the-by, even in coutille corsets I advise a silk lacing, for if you are inclined to perspire, cotton or linen ones get stiff and uncomfortable, and although the silk ones may seem a little more expensive they are so much more comfortable, so much easier to pull or tie, that you will feel the money well spent.’ (The Ladies’ Home Journal, 1891)

Here are some antique Edwardian corsets with original silk corset laces: 1900s silk jacquard corset with matching white silk corset laces at the McCord Stewart museum, late Edwardian cream silk corset with original purple silk corset laces at the V&A museum, 1900s silk corset with silk corset laces at the MET museum and a 1903 silk wedding corset with silk laces at the Phila museum.

Wear Garters & Knee High Stockings

Wear stockings which ‘come high above the knees, in order that the action of the knees in walking shall not drag the corset out of place.’ Attach the front and side suspenders to your stockings to keep the corset down. (Every Woman’s Encyclopaedia, 1910-2)

How To Take Off A Corset

‘Before removing the corset, untie the lacers and loosen them before un-on the corset, consequently it retains clasping the hooks. This saves strain its shape much longer.’ (The Detroit Times, 1910)