Ferris Corset Waist (1889)


Figure 1.-- We note a Ferris corset waist in a Good Housekeeping magazine (March 2, 1889). I'm not sure to what extent a corset waist was different than an actual waist. We think they were primarily for girls, although they are offered here in "child" sizes as well as "miss", "young ladies", and 'ladies" sizes. We do not know anything about the Ferris Brothers Company at this time.

We note a Ferris corset waist in a Good Housekeeping magazine (March 2, 1889). I'm not sure to what extent a corset waist was different than an actual waist. We think they were primarily for girls, although they are offered here in "child" sizes as well as "miss", "young ladies", and 'ladies" sizes. We do not know anything about the Ferris Brothers Company at this time, but note Marshal Fields was there western distributor.

Good Housekeeping

Good Housekeeping was founded in 1885. This add appeared only a few years after the mazine was founded. We note this Ferris corset waist advertized in a March 2, 1889 issue. Good Housekeeping is one of the oldest still operating magazines in the United States. It is tooday more associate with cooking and home decorating, but a good deal of clothing information can be found in older issues.

Ferris Brothers Company

We do not know much about the Ferris Brothers Company at this time. They were located in New York. One of their brands was "Good Sence". We note Marshall Fields was their western distributor. HBC notes an add for a Ferris waist for boys (1907). Although the Ferris Company seems to have specialized in waists and corsets for girls and young women, they did not entirely exclude boys. The difference, I think, was that the girl's Ferris waist tended to be cinched in so as to shape the girl's figure as an adult woman's corset would do. The boys' waists were no body shaping and served mainly as a support garment for trousers, underwear, hose supporters and long stockings. The Ferris comapny advertised widely in various American magazines.

Corset Waist

I'm not sure to what extent a corset waist was different than an actual waist. We note that children's underwaists and related garments were commonly marketed as beneficial for posture. The garment here clearly is much stiffer and has a primary posture and waist control function.

Posture Correction Devices

Physicians believe that from early childhood steps should be taken to incourage correct posture to prevent adult back problems. We have noted doctors expressing concerns over posture in the 19th century, althjough often without real insights into the underlying medical science. We have noted a variety of posture corrective devices in 19th century publications. Some seem rather extreme. Some 19th century doctors and parents were very concerned about posture and willing to take aggressive steps to force children to develop better posture. This continued in a less aggressive manner into the early 20th century. The waists suits worn by children in the ealy 20th century offered referred to benefecial posture. Parents today in most cases seem less willing to intervene to improve threir children's posture with the exception of occassional mild oral comments.

Corset

The corset is not a garment that we have yet researched. The corset is mostly associated with women. A similar garment, the truss, was worn by men, but not nearlly as commonly. We are not sure to what extent children wore corsets. We notice them mentioned in various sources, so we know that some children did wear them. We think that they were almost entirely girls that wore them.

Gender

We think the corset waist here were for girls. This is suggested both by the illustration and the use of the pronoun "she" in the ad copy. They are, however, offered here in "child" sizes as well as "miss", "young ladies", and 'ladies" sizes. We are not entirely why the term "child" was chosen. We are not at all sure that very young boys would have worn them. Nor are we sure why very young girls would have worn them. Perhaps some mothers may have considered it important to begin molding a girl's figure from a very early age. Notably except for the smaller sizes, female terms were used.

Sizes

The corset waist here was offered in sizes from indants to adults. The specific sizes included: child (0.50-0.75), miss (0.70-0.85), young ladies (1.00-1.10), and ladies (1.00-2.00). Notice the overlap. Presumably that mean tht there were stylistic differences in the different age categories.

Ad Copy

The ad copy here read, "Your child must be kept healthy or she cannot be beautiful. Sensible mothers buy Good Sense Corset Wastes. Ferris' Pat. Ring Buckle at Hip for Hose Suppoers. Tape-fastened Buttobs--won't pull off. Cord-edge Button Holes--won't wear out. Best For Health, Comfort, Wear and Finish. Thousands now in use in the United states, England and Canada. For sale by Leading Retailers, or mailed FREE on receipt of price, by Ferris Bros., Mfrs., 341 Broadway, N.Y. Marshall Field & Co., Chicago, Wholesale Western Agents. Avoid Inferior Imitations. Be Sure your Corset is stamped Good Sence. Send for illustrated circular." Notice the stress on health. The ad does not explain, however, just how the garment is condusive to health. Also note the reference to "comfort". This is in the tradition of stating what is obviously not true. A common element in clothing advertisements.






HBC






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Created: 3:03 AM 3/27/2005
Last updated: 3:03 AM 3/27/2005