The New Fashionable Figure
January 17, 1903
Summary
Women are told that curves are no longer in style, and that skinny is now considered beautiful.
Transcription
The New Fashionable Figure
The straight-line rule in fashion has resulted in a remodeling of the feminine form divine. No longer are graceful curves desired; now the lines must be straight and angular. The change in figure is coming much more rapidly than the untutored might think possible, and the designers are lending every aid t its rapid development. It matters not that it is far from the beautiful so long as it is fashionable.
“The new figure,” explained a specialist, “follows the perpendicular as nearly as it is possible for a woman’s outline to do it. In acquiring this figure a slight woman will have a great advantage over her stout sister. The only hope of the latter lies in her corset.
“A straight front is to be accentuated, not only below but above the waist line, and the back, too, must look as if a board was strapped to the spine. [illegible]... only spring or curve permitted [illegible]...lower part of the corset is at [illegible]... which does not mean, however [illegible]... large hips have come in fashionable [illegible].
“On the contrary, hips are to be compressed as much as possible. As a means to this end the corset is cut longer than it has been for years, particularly over the hips and abdomen— as long, in fact, as it can be and permit the wearer to sit down— and the most strenuous efforts of the makers are directed to using down and holding down the flesh on the hips.
“And with the help of heavy bones and steels, also strong straps, the latter fastened to the edges of the corset on either side and then to haters clasped below the knee, it is marvelous what sylphlike results are obtained. The stars, as many be imagined, are the least comfortable part of the apparatus; nevertheless, some women wear four of them, two in front as well as two at the side the better to keep the corset firmly in place. After the figure begins to fall into the new lines the stars are less important.
From the waist line up there are also marked changes in the cut of the up-to-date corset designed to mold the new figure. As most people are aware, the models wire during the last year or two have been cut very roomy immediately above the waistline in front. This was to give the effect of a low bust. In fact, a low bust has been perhaps the most distinctive feature of the fashionable figure for more than a year.
“Now all that is changed. Fashion commands that the bust shall be high in order to promote the straight line which she has made the keynote of the new figure. Therefore, the corset is now fitted quite smoothly in front to some distance above the waistline, and very closely indeed under the arm.
“Necessarily, the bust is much heightened. The corset, too, is cut much higher than it was a few months ago.”
The straight-line rule in fashion has resulted in a remodeling of the feminine form divine. No longer are graceful curves desired; now the lines must be straight and angular. The change in figure is coming much more rapidly than the untutored might think possible, and the designers are lending every aid t its rapid development. It matters not that it is far from the beautiful so long as it is fashionable.
“The new figure,” explained a specialist, “follows the perpendicular as nearly as it is possible for a woman’s outline to do it. In acquiring this figure a slight woman will have a great advantage over her stout sister. The only hope of the latter lies in her corset.
“A straight front is to be accentuated, not only below but above the waist line, and the back, too, must look as if a board was strapped to the spine. [illegible]... only spring or curve permitted [illegible]...lower part of the corset is at [illegible]... which does not mean, however [illegible]... large hips have come in fashionable [illegible].
“On the contrary, hips are to be compressed as much as possible. As a means to this end the corset is cut longer than it has been for years, particularly over the hips and abdomen— as long, in fact, as it can be and permit the wearer to sit down— and the most strenuous efforts of the makers are directed to using down and holding down the flesh on the hips.
“And with the help of heavy bones and steels, also strong straps, the latter fastened to the edges of the corset on either side and then to haters clasped below the knee, it is marvelous what sylphlike results are obtained. The stars, as many be imagined, are the least comfortable part of the apparatus; nevertheless, some women wear four of them, two in front as well as two at the side the better to keep the corset firmly in place. After the figure begins to fall into the new lines the stars are less important.
From the waist line up there are also marked changes in the cut of the up-to-date corset designed to mold the new figure. As most people are aware, the models wire during the last year or two have been cut very roomy immediately above the waistline in front. This was to give the effect of a low bust. In fact, a low bust has been perhaps the most distinctive feature of the fashionable figure for more than a year.
“Now all that is changed. Fashion commands that the bust shall be high in order to promote the straight line which she has made the keynote of the new figure. Therefore, the corset is now fitted quite smoothly in front to some distance above the waistline, and very closely indeed under the arm.
“Necessarily, the bust is much heightened. The corset, too, is cut much higher than it was a few months ago.”
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Rose Williams
Citation
“The New Fashionable Figure,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed March 21, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/192.