So the tired-old corset rhetoric we hear today is basically if someone in the future came across those ridiculous info-mercials and thought, “wow people in the early 21st century really had trouble cleaning...”.

My great aunt still was wearing her Edwardian corset until just before she died in 1949. I used to visit her when I was a child, and it was fascinating for me, because my mother wore the bra that was usual in the 40s and 50s, so I got an unasked for tutorial from my aunt about corsets were “better”, but that is another story.

The bra didn't kill the corset- Elastic did. They took the corset, made it elastic, and called it something else

100 years from now, future Nicole talking about re-creating spanx.....

I love when you fall down a research rabbit hole. Alice would be proud.

It was very strange seeing my grandmother's foundation garments worn by someone from this century; she did not wear more modern garments. The steelmaker who called twice a year to make her clothes made her bras too. The only difference is that she had pink brocade underwear. Birdy

In case anyone is wondering, the bra in France is called a soutien-gorge (chest/bust support).

I had to smile when you said "bust supporter isn't really an attractive name" - because that is exactly what we call the bra in German. The German word for brassiere is "Büstenhalter", which translates as "bust holder" or bust supporter. We usually shorten it to BH, just as English-speaking people usually say 'bra'.

Corset cover goes to bra, Corset goes to girdle. May have said this before but my Irish grandmother wore a corset every day until they put her in the nursing home in the late 1970s. It really helped her back when she was milking cows.

The corset certainly persisted well into the 1960s, at least in Montreal. On my way to class, I passed a corsetiere's shop that showed corsets, usually in that odd shade of pinkish tan called "nude", in their modestly small windows. And this wasn't an odd remnant in an obscure neighbourhood. This was on a main fashionable street, right next door to Holt Renfrew, which was, and still is, a high-end shop.

I have never made historical garments, but the more I look at videos etc, the more I want to. And underthings are what appeal to me the most (maybe because I find modern ones so uncomfortable). This one appeared in my pinterest a few days ago, and you seem to say it is as comfortable as I thought it would be. I will try my hand at this. Thank you very much

I think of the 1910s and 20s as the "Cambrian explosion" of women's supportive garments. The underbust corset left an ecological niche that was filled by a profusion of new forms!

This is all the research I wanted to know but not actually do 😂 Thank you for your service. I'm making a ribbon corset right now!

Oh my gosh! Almost drooling when I saw that Fairy Brassiere. It is so beautiful and functional. Why, oh why do we have bras made of synthetic materials when we could have this incredible bra that would breathe? Thank you for sharing this bit of history and your impeccable sewing skills. My eyes and patience would no longer be up to create a masterpiece such as this 👏

My mother in-law (married in the late 50 I think) was told she "needed a corset now that she was married" so she got one at the department store, and wore it once, and then it lived in the closet till she eventually threw it out. Found that out this Xmas when I told her I was exploring a half-corset sports bra thing because "This is like, so comfy" is something I have never once said about a bra. Ever. Best I've managed is "this is probably tolerable for its purpose and then GET IT OFF ME." Turns out I really don't like anything touching my chest under my boobs. And I've never been terribly large so they held themselves up just fine without support... and now that ... uh, age + gravity, I'm finding "things I don't like touching my chest" includes my boobs... Which is why I'm working on a mockup of the top half (waist up) of an "athletic corset". Thanks to your research I'll be experimenting with the placing of the boning in my attempts, because one of the purposes I feel I need a bra is for martial arts because I have a noticeable amount of breast tissue wrapping around my ribcage under my armpit and that really hurts when somone kneels on it when they're pinning me, so I typically wear an underwire bra to keep the girls aimed in front. Oddly, I don't mind a well-fitted underwire at all, it's the tight band underneath holding the bra from slipping up over my boobs that I mind... sometimes even free-range boobies need a little bit of support!

I grew up in the south in the 1950’s and there was a woman who called herself a corset maker. Perhaps still supplying some of the ladies born in the late 1800’s who were comfortable in their old familiar supportive corsets.

what i want to know is, why we stopped wearing a chemise under the brassieres? we need to bring that back ...or maybe i need to stop wearing cheap bras lol

ohh so nice to know it wasn't a man that invented the bra. That never made sense to me that we went from corsets straight to a bra and it did away with the corset. That it transitioned into a girdle makes so much more sense. The other slightly distressing thing is that even today we are still buying garments to try and make our selves fit the "ideal" silhouette....

History lessons with Nicole! Yay. What I really appreciate is that you flash pictures of the articles you referenced for your video essay, but you don't just read them- you interpret them. Thanks for being an intelligent youtuber and scholar.

As a woman with a considerable amount of acreage upstairs it's always required considerable support. I absolutely hate underwire bras so perhaps making one more like what you have made might be the ticket to being more comfortable. At the very least I'll have something pretty to wear which, sadly, I don't often find now.

As a very large busted old lady, I would think there would be the ladies that still wanted their favorite corset. As we cling to our favorite bra styles now. I have a feeling that the first one could work for large busted ladies. I was so in awe of your beautiful sewing! All was pressed and it shows off your meticulous to stitching!

My father said his mother wore a corset until the day she died in 1948.

Fascinating, as always, and such a delight to watch. I was born in 1946, and when I was a little girl, I would watch in awe as my grandmother would first don her teddies, then her "shimmy" (chemise), then her corset, and finally her bra (which she pronounced "bray"). She was born in Louisiana in 1880, lived until 1975, and probably wore all those undergarments until she was at least 90. I found it fascinating, and rather daunting!

As a music historian I come to historical dress KZfaq half the time just to hear the research aspects! And I mean the clothes are spectacular too😉! 💚

You know someone is passionate about a subject when they are excited to learn that everything they thought they knew about something was wrong (because it means they have a new opportunity to do more research lol). Loved your video.

I found a 1950s(?) bullet bra at a thrift store. A welcome addition to my collection of historical stuff!

The snuggle time moment, in the end, was super sweet.

My grandmother wore a corset all her adult life until the mid-1950s. She was a very hard working woman. She said that she had never had a backache in her life.

I love watching your videos, so much information and detail. I also love the vibe of your format, so in keeping with the vintage feel. Your voice and presentation are so soothing and enjoyable to watch. Thanks you for presenting such quality content for us to enjoy. A special thanks for the videos on mid nineteen teens items!!!! I adore the 1915-1919 era of clothing; it is vintage yet can be very easily worn today. So thank you for including this time period on your channel, not many on KZfaq currently do. I hope you include more from this time period in future, especially armistice style blouses, I want a closet full of them in all colors and collar styles, so stinking cute!!!

If anyone is interested Brassiere in French in a cupless bra that teens wear when we start having breast but not enough te wear an actual bra. And lucky adults with small or firm breast are now going back to it because it might be healthier for the body. So it does look similar to these 1910 bust support thingy.

The look it gave was a, what my Grandmother called Matronly. Very correct for the period. Well done Nicole👏🏼

Over here in Scandinavia, it's called a breast holder :) BH for short. That Fairy bra looks like something much more comfortable to wear in summer than modern ones, which don't breathe at all. Being a larger size (very large according to modern sizing) the second one wouldn't work for me without boning, as everything would migrate to a point in the middle :D (Sports bras do that)

I’m so glad this passes the all important bounce test

You should have 370K subscribers very soon. :) You do such precise, lovely work.

My grandmother wore a vest, which is basically a women's version of a sleevless t-shirt. She was born in 1884 and died in 1981 (96 years) and she tucked this vest into her panties which looked similar to men's boxers. When I was a teen in the 1960's my sister's and I thought this was hilarious.

This was so incredibly interesting! I might give that first one a try for my ownself! 😊

This was super interesting! So cool to note that bras did not kill the corset. Also looks like something I might be able to make myself. I might try this out.

Thanks. Really good presentation. Something to add... WWI material moratorium put many corset companies out of business and some went into weapons manufacturing. Also invention of auto made driving in a corset very hard.

Love when rabbit hole grabs people. I learn so much😊

You truly have some of the best historical costuming videos on youtube! Always a joy to see you've uploaded something new. I'll definitely need to make this one of my next projects.

I love the way you pronounce brassiere Nicole. It’s so different from how we pronounce it here in Scotland My grandmother who was born in 1890 always referred to her girdle as her corset or her stays lol. She lived in a small village who would not be at the forefront of fashion

Yeah, they both definitely surprised me too! I wasn't expecting as much bust support... more like a wish and a prayer, but nope, they came through in the baggage department. Nice! And I love the little snippet at the end where your pupper comes up and says, "Mama, quit talking to the furniture, it's time for snuggles." 💕 So sweet! ❤

That was both interesting and enlightening! I would love for you to show us the construction of the blouse you are wearing with the high waisted navy skirt. I am desirous of the Safari type Out of Africa fashions to come back. They did in the early 80s with the cotton blouses that fit closer to the body, buttoned in the front with pointed collars and large puffy sleeves that narrowed to the wrist. I had several of those blouses, and I LOVED them.

I love the idea of the bra being not just comfortable (what!) but also size adjustable. If only I had the patience for such tiny hems!

This might interest someone: In French bras were (or are) called soutien or soutien-gorge, and the word soutien went with the garment to many places as they were importing either the clothing or the patterns to make them locally. Also, in many occasions French designers travelled or even established themselves abroad, so naturally they used their own terminology in French. In some Spanish speaking countries the term soutien was translated to sostén, both meaning the same (support). In other countries they used the original word without changes.

The history of undergarments is always interesting and they both do look comfy!

I'm so interested in making my own bras. I hate lycra and elastic fabrics because I need a lot of support for a 34 E sized bust.

First bra, age 10, 1966. In 1968 I started 'junior high' at age 12 - and I wore a girdle! It was the means by which I held up my stockings- all nice girls wore stockings as all girls wore skirts/dresses. At Christmas that year I got a garter belt and shed the girdle with delight! The only problem then, was keeping the garter belt up! One day it lost it's grip and down it went. There is no event that still gives me the shudders like the memory of garter belt and stockings around my ankles in the hall of Lincoln Junior High. That summer I discovered panty hose and never looked back. :)

They turned out beautifully! I would love to explore this because I can’t wear underwire bras but I really need the support and lift as I am well endowed. Great video as usual! Thank you!

Thank you for this very timely vlog! I was actually wondering when bras "replaced" corsets, especially because the corsets in the early 20th century were looking more like girdles, which it turns out: they became! Nice to know what seems to make sense generally equates to what was/is! I also like the idea of a comfortable bra. This was a very worthwhile rabbit hole to venture into!

Can I just say what a nice touch the wig is. Everytime you wear it with period outfits instantly makes the picture complete!

I haven't even made it past the three minute mark because I'm SO DISTRACTED by Nicole's gorgeous sweater. I keep pausing the video to see if I can decipher the lace pattern and whatnot. 😂

I made a brassier for my 1910s motoring outfit and Foundations Revealed entry this year. I used Wearing History's pattern because it happened to be my size and it is so comfy!

I love rabbit holes! In my search for a perfect bra, I have been contemplating adjusting a corset cover pattern. Good to know I'm on the right track and will achieve what I want for a mid teens silouette. Thanks for great research links too.

I love that you upload on Sundays because I get to make myself a Sunday brunch and sit down and watch a nice long discussion of bras.

That's so fascinating and informative! Thank you.

so great info and work!

ou7r videos are wonderfully informative andf makes my Inner Nerd so happy, always look forward to watching them! I want to hang out with you

This looks amazing on you too! Well done!!

i feel like I always learn so much from your videos, thank you!

This is fascinating! And your passion for this subject is so infectious. I could like this video over and over.

Stunning!

I am well-endowed, and starting to get back problems. Historical stays look so comfy, as they are supporting my back, and the shoulder straps wouldn't be pinching an already pinched nerve. I have a pattern, but haven't made any yet. Have some other projects to finish up. Also, would like some linen waist length chemises. Thanks for letting me vent!

Love the little comfort dance at the end :)

this looks so comfy and I definitely want to make one now. Thanks for the amazing video!

Those look great! Thanks for sharing.

Really interesting, I was thinking of trying to make my own underwear despite being a novice, and this looks like a good place to start!

What a perfect video! Thank you!

Amazing and super educational. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for this brilliant research.

So Good! Looks great too!

Oh my gracious... I just spent 25 of my very valuable morning minutes watching this and I have ZERO REGRETS! The support/undergarment transition of the first half of the 20th century is one of my obsessions with the corselette being of particular interest. I have several large size corselettes in my collection and some of them are a marvel! My dream is to make a 1930s style one in my own size for daily wear.

I’m so sold! 💖💖💖 I love this! The info...I’ve been schooled into the world of corset and bra wear of the 1910s! Excellent research, Nicole!

The "no corsets because they already Had the ideal shape" Thing reminds me a Bit of the current bralette craze. In theory, im all for bralettes. Theyre comfy, theyre affordable, yadiyadiyada. In practice, im a large chested woman. Not super large, but large enough that wearing bralettes outside is Not comfortable for me. It feels like, If theyre tight enough, they squeeze by chest flat, If theyre Not that tight, walking becomes uncomfortable because nothing stays in place. I cant bend and If i do i literally have to stuff myself Back into the bralette (have fun doing that in Public). For a day on the Couch, a bralette sounds great. For actually doing Things, i want a decent underwire bra. The people advertising bralettes seem to be the small chested women that dont really need a bra, or already have a nice Natural shape. For me it feels like companies are Just looking to lower the Material costs and making me feel insecure about wanting an underwire bra because These days apparently theyre straight from hell

i am loving your videos. you make everything seem so easy. I can only aspire to such ease.

This was great! I've always loved undergarment history. 💕

Great video! Watching you make that bra was revisiting my first Wacoal fitting, not so very much has changed.

Thank you for showing the fiddley bits. There is so much detail about making a garment that no one shows.....

This was such a wonderful and educational video, thank you for taking us through this journey. Very fun and informative.

Thank you so much for sharing all this information with us. 1910's outfit has been on my sewing list and this was a missing puzzle piece. I am much closer to starting my project now that I know much more about the era's bust support methods.

So appreciated the careful research: it would make an excellent article for one of the dress journals. Your test garment was cut and fitted so well...loved seeing the silhouette come alive.

Wow, thank you. This video was very informative. I've always wanted to know what was the style of underwear at the turn of the century and in the pre-war era. The way you tell and explain everything is top notch!

Thank you for your time and effort you have put on these Nicole, great vid 👍😁 Love what you made 💝 Have a fabulous day 🦘🇦🇺🦘

This was a super great and informative video, and I definitely need to try something like this out for myself too!

I love your videos Nicole. Thank you for researching and sharing the knowledge. You never stop surprising me :D.

subbed! this was so informative! the brassiere looks so comfy and looks so secure!

This was completely fascinating! Thanks for providing links to the articles you found. It’s so nice to know that people of the past weren’t necessarily just made of tougher stuff, they liked being comfortable, too. It’s also wonderful to continually learn that newer isn’t always better or smarter. Have a terrific week, and I am DYING of anticipation for your shoe video!!! Hooray for fur baby content!! I just love dogs so much, and yours is adorable!

Kismet!! I am currently going down a rabbit hole trying to recreate the appropriate undergarments for my 1920s recreation. Slightly earlier than what I need, but it definitely is confirming some things for me and steering me in the right direction. Thank you!!!

We are down the same rabbit hole! I've been reading and trawling 1910's underwear styles and making for some months now. I'm trying to rationalise all the items that I want to make too. Love your video - as ever. Such a wonderful mix of information, analysis and doing. Thank you.

Looks so pretty!

As always Nicole and Abby make my Sundays a happy place. This is a video I wanted and I am so excited to see it. I am fascinated by mens and womens under garments. My students are always asking about underwear no matter the historical time period. My knowledge is now much more expanded.

I love your work!!! It is so helpfull!!

I was wondering about several of these same questions just yesterday, including wondering about whether the girdle was just an evolution of the corset. Thank you for this great exploration!

Looks really good.well done.

I need both those bras in a size 38 J please. Seriously, I struggle to find a modern bra with enough cup and those look so comfy and supportive. Even bras made for 'plus sizes' seem to skimp on the cup and I spend half the day putting myself back in them.

Aha!!! You, M'Lady, have just connected 'dots' for me! I've always heard that the body type for women, in "Ye Olden Times", was not necessarily for a thinner woman. (got it) ...but then, traditional information told us that "evil corsets" were to make a woman thinner. (not "appear" thinner...but to actually make her thinner, at least in the waist) (got it) What I have only now just realized (remember, I'm a newbie) is that it was never about the SIZE of the body...but it was about the silhouette (yes, y'all have been saying that) and SMOOTHNESS of the lines. I mean no disrespect to anyone...but I just consciously realized that the lumpy, frumpy way many of us look these days, as you said, with Muffin Tops and rolls, was not aesthetically pleasing in yonder years. Nobody cared how big you were...as long as you were smooth and in the accepted silhouette. Yes?

The dark hair and make up suits your face very well! You look lovely and I very much enjoyed the detail that you gave about the garments and your reconstruction.

Yes!! I've been researching 1910s support garments myself because I had exactly the same questions as you! I've been really surprised to find items very similar to garter belts in this era, as well as bra-like garments. I have no idea how common those were but it's certainly convenient while I save up to buy the materials to make a corset.

Fascinating. Also amazing that quite a simple, comfortable, construction does such a great job. Also did you ever think youd be uploading videos of yourself in underwear for strangers on the Internet? 😂 (I often think about the warnings received in the early days of the internet and how many of those are now normal 😂 summoning strangers to get in their car, talking to strangers all over the place and people often times sharing their exact locations all over the place. )

Thank you!!! I've been arguing this (in my head and with friends) for so long. Stay...corset...girdle...spanx