Corset, Busk, Sleeve puffs, Corded petticoat, and Chemise

View of corset, various 19th century undergarments and detail image.

Corset, c. 1840. American. Made by Ruby Gallup. Cotton. Lent by Mrs. Francis E. Spaulding, T.L.1923.565

Busk, 1825–50. American. Made by Mrs. Eldert Van Woert Dox. Wood. Gift of Miss Virginia Dox, 1917.172

Sleeve puffs, c. 1825–35. American. Cotton and down. Costume and Textile Purchase Fund, 2010.13.3A,B

Corded petticoat, c. 1830–50. American. Cotton. Gift of Miss Agnes E. Bowen, 1920.1124

Chemise, c. 1840s. American. Linen. Historic Northampton, Northampton, Massachusetts, 66.36

To achieve the desired hourglass shape fashionable from about 1825 to 1836, women wore a corded corset to cinch the waist, petticoats that were corded for extra stiffness, and puffs to hold up the leg-o’-mutton sleeves. A busk (a slat of wood or baleen, harvested from whales) inserted down the center of the corset ensured the posture remained erect. An easily washed chemise worn under all of these layers absorbed perspiration.