c.1878-1880. A black sateen corset altered for riding. Although specially made riding corsets were available all through the 19th century, they were very expensive. Less wealthy or spendthrift women often had old, broken in corsets cut down and remade into comfortable riding corsets.
Originally, this corset would have had a deep, curved abdomen and came well over the hips keeping it in style with late 19th century corsetry. To renovate it into a riding corset, the front and back was cut away and the hips completely cut away to allow for the correct sidesaddle position and leg movement during riding. The side steels were removed completely when the hips were cut away and the busk was cut shorter for comfort during riding.
The corset is boned with watchspring and is lined in white cotton. Diamond patterned yellow flossing decorates and reinforces the bone casings on the flared bust line.
Measurements: Bust 37", Waist 28", Busk length (as it is now), 10".

From the collection of L. Hidic
corsetsandcrinolines.com

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