A corset-waist was once part of children's everyday attire. It served more than one purpose. Before socks and stockings held themselves up with elasticized bands, children attached their stockings to the buttons on the lower edge with long garters. From an early age, the corset-waist trained a girl for the more restricting corset she would eventually wear in adulthood. As undergarments were used daily, waists generally wore out; few survive. This one appears unused.