Figure 1.-- This Ferris Brothers ad for the Good Sense Corset Waist for women appeared in "Harper's Monthly Magazine" (November 1899). The Ferris Brothers Co. made corsets, corset waists, and other waists during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in America. The company were noted for introducing a brand of children's and women's waists calle Ferris Good Sense Waists which became a brand name. These waists were considered healthier and more progressive than the traditional waists for girls and young women because they did not cinch in the waistline too tightly and, for the most part, they abandoned the custom of using whale bone or steel stays that actually did harm to developing bodies.

The Ferris Brothers Co. made corsets, corset waists, and other waists during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in America. Their main headquarters was in New York City but they also had a branch in San Francisco. The company were noted for introducing a brand of children's and women's waists calle Ferris Good Sense Waists which became a brand name. These waists were considered healthier and more progressive than the traditional waists for girls and young women because they did not cinch in the waistline too tightly and, for the most part, they abandoned the custom of using whale bone or steel stays that actually did harm to developing bodies. The models for girls and women show some indentation but it was much less radical than what people had been used to. A woman named Emma Thompson is said to have invented a model of corset waist which the Ferris Brothers adopted, manufactured, and advertised. The fact that bone and steel stays were avoided, which boys would never have worn, made it possible for the Ferris Good Sense Waist to be designed in a model specifically for boys. This waist had short elastic straps with buttonholes for the attachment of button-on knee pants plus the customary tabs at the sides for supporters so that long stockings could be worn.

Manufacturing Line

The Ferris Brothers Co. made corsets, corset waists, and other waists. Ferris is important historically because he led a movement against the tight-lacing and deformation that old-fashioned corsets and waists imposed on young bodies. His waists and corsets were supposed to preserve the shape of the human body as it naturally was and thus preserve health as well as making women and children more comfortable in their clothing.

Chronology

We note Ferris advertisements during during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in America periodicals.

Location

Their main headquarters was in New York City--341 Broadway. They also had branches in Chicago and San Francisco. We are not sure if these were manufacturing facilities.

Good Sence Waist

The company were noted for introducing a brand of children's and women's waists calle Ferris Good Sense Waists which became a brand name. These waists were considered healthier and more progressive than the traditional waists for girls and young women because they did not cinch in the waistline too tightly and, for the most part, they abandoned the custom of using whale bone or steel stays that actually did harm to developing bodies. The models for girls and women show some indentation but it was much less radical than what people had been used to.

Emma Thomson

A woman named Emma Thompson is said to have invented a model of corset waist which the Ferris Brothers adopted, manufactured, and advertised.

Boy Models

The fact that bone and steel stays were avoided, which boys would never have worn, made it possible for the Ferris Good Sense Waist to be designed in a model specifically for boys. This waist had short elastic straps with buttonholes for the attachment of button-on knee pants plus the customary tabs at the sides for supporters so that long stockings could be worn.

Advertisements

We have archived Ferris ads for children on HBC. We note an early Ferris Good Sence Corset Waist ad (1899). We also notice later ads for Ferris Good Sence Waists ad (1907).

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Created: 6:43 PM 10/25/2005
Last updated: 5:41 PM 6/30/2010