Today is Rita Hayworth’s birthday (1918), which inevitably brings to mind Shawshank Redemption, one of my favorite movies of all time. So, I considered collecting some favorite images of vintage lingerie from the era of the film. Then I came across an advert for a corset from Fall 1896 in Indianapolis. It occurred to me that I have oft been reminded (when waxing poetical in my love of yesteryear’s constrained clothing), of the bondage said clothing imposed upon the wearer.
Was this a Cresco?
I wonder how exactly a woman was fitted for this contraption? Or if you just had to conform to one of the predetermined sizes? Whatever the case, it seems that you could have picked one up after walking by Christ Church Cathedral on the Circle, as the William Laurie & Co. Dry Goods Store was located at 15, 17, & 19 North Meridian Street. And despite any amount of torturous strapping down or holding in, I’d give just about anything to go back and visit Indianapolis of 1896 for a day…
