Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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 instagram.com/fashion_museum_bath
Maternity corset, Spencers of Banbury, 1950s, Reproduced with permission of Fashion Museum Bath instagram.com/fashion_museum_bath
Baby’s stay, 1800-25, Reproduced with permission of Fashion Museum Bath instagram.com/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
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/wellcomecollection
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/explorewellcome
See us on Instagram: instagram.com/wellcomecollection
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 instagram.com/fashion_museum_bath
Maternity corset, Spencers of Banbury, 1950s, Reproduced with permission of Fashion Museum Bath instagram.com/fashion_museum_bath
Baby’s stay, 1800-25, Reproduced with permission of Fashion Museum Bath instagram.com/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
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/wellcomecollection
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/explorewellcome
See us on Instagram: instagram.com/wellcomecollection
