Restriction, Constriction

Although the Edwardian Era was a time of peace, prosperity and a general happy period to live in, women were still restricted and constricted, both in social and physical ways; women were seen everywhere as the 'weaker sex' (i.e. men were the sole providers and dominant figures in every place, and women were seen and not heard). They had ideals to live up to, which came in the forms of the tiny waists and lifted rear in the s-bend shape; women were tightly bound into a quiet state of being with an almost factory-produced figure of 8 figure. This constriction crushed their vital organs and ribcage, repositioning the body in a way which was extremely damaging for their health.


(Source: allwalks.org) Edith La Sylphe in an S Bend corset. It's both amazing and gruesome how dramatically altered her shape is - there must be absolutely immense strain on her back, it's a wonder how she can stand!


(Source: thinkquest.org)


(Source: squidoo) Having the top half of your body thrust forward looks so impractical and uncomfortable to the highest degree - a great amount of self restraint and will to do anything for beauty must've driven these women to pull their bodies in this much.

As time went on, health specialists began to notice the links between health problems and corsets, and so a new, looser form of dress emerged - the tea dress. Every day, there would be a few hours where the women would sit down for afternoon tea, and they would be able to change out of their corsets and into the tea dress with its empire line and lightweight, floating fabrics - their bodies, for those few hours a day, were freed.


(Source: oldrags.tumblr.com) A Parisian tea dress - although the length isn't very functional, it's a world away from the corsetry - the soft draping paired with the rich, deep blue and embellishment make a very elegant look, and although the waist is still emphasised with a belt, it's apparent that this wouldn't be forcing the body to behave in a different shape.


Source: 4cornercollision.tumblr.com)


Source: ladieshistorictea.blogspot.com


Source: edwardianpromenade.com) Women out in the day wearing hobble skirts and corsets underneath their daily wear

Another constricting (although not health-damaging) garment was the hobble skirt. It was a straight-down skirt which did not flare out anywhere so the wearer would only be able to take tiny steps, 'hobbling' around. It made life difficult for the women due to the fact that they could not walk briskly anywhere, let alone climb some stairs! In many ways, the fashions of the time brought more social restrictions by emphasising and almost making a caricature of the female figure, making her seem less capable by the difficulty with movement, and giving them certain time frames in which to wear certain garments.