With tight whalebone stays, multiple laces, and unyielding fabric, it looked like something out of Torquemada’s torture chamber. It was the corset.
Various iterations have been worn by women since time immemorial. I only recall the devices of the 1950s advertised in the Sears catalog. The theory was to hold everything together — folds, wrinkles, and fat as well as to lift and compress. Countless fads and styles in women’s clothing caused pain and anguish. Remember Scarlett O’Hara’s 17” waist? Yep. She had a good corset. Later, these unhealthy contrivances were worn by women who had carried multiple children. It was punishing.
It wasn’t just my grandma’s corset, of course. When she was age 60, she could have passed for a 79-year-old. This was the case with many of her peers. As young as 10 years old, I noticed her pendulous breasts as she prepared breakfast, expanded waistline, which women fully expected after menopause, tight permed gray hair, no make-up, wrinkles, and sensible shoes.
Born in the 1890s, my grandmother had been a respected educator who believed in chapters of life; you were born, grew up, married, had children, got old, and died. That was it. It was a case of values of that era; most women simply didn’t worry about appearance in later life when there was little, they could do about it. If you were a widow wanting companionship and a little romance, that prospect was usually in the rear-view mirror.
Fast forward to 2023 where an extensive array of self-care products, injectables, and cosmetic enhancements are available to women wanting to look younger and more fit. The growth in this industry mirrors a change in female values, in which appearance plays a significant role. Career mobility, a culture of exercise, and a focus on health have enriched and prolonged our lives. Extended longevity makes it possible to care for ourselves in a meaningful way without suffering the indignity of garments designed to inflict misery!
We want to hear from you, so feel free to share tips, ideas, and resources for seniors and caregivers with Grannybooster. Email me, Maris Somerville, at info@grannybooster.com
*** This article was originally posted on Medium.com***
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