Corsets had been worn by women since the 16th century but by the 18th Century they were works of art-or seemed as such to the untrained eye. They may have looked glamorous, but they were the cause of great discomfort. Construceted of restricting hoops of Whalebone, corsets were lined with rough, unbleached cotton. Although corsets would later be blamed for a slew of ailments such as splinters, danaged liversm and displaced ribs, they accentuated the female form. Corsets were also considered to be a status symbol: they prevented a woman form over-exertion and so indicated that she was a member of the leisured classes. Corset were made of satin, emboridered silk and silk brocade. Working women wore a lace-up Corset.
