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Comment by hoseja | Hacker News Reader

A well-made corset is a snug, comfortable, supportive garment that doesn't impede movement.

Right, Bernadette Banner's video discussing this, explaining why "corset = restrictive" is a myth, is interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rExJskBZcW0

The core of her argument is about actual fainting, permanent organ damage and rib deformation (which are probably myths, I am totally with her). It's a different question from "is it restrictive" though.

Thanks for linking this channel. Her costumery is so interesting and elegant.

"well-made" doesn't feel like the correct description TBH.

Corsets can be made comfortable and unrestricting, but that was not the primary goal, nor the common use case. And yes, some corsets were made specially for sporty activities for instance.

I feel this reaction around corset kinda mimic the "suits can be made as comfortable as pajamas" rethoric. Sure they can, but the primary reason this has to be stated is because that requires tremendous and specialized effort that goes against the primary goal of the garment.

> I feel this reaction around corset kinda mimic the "suits can be made as comfortable as pajamas" rethoric. Sure they can, but the primary reason this has to be stated is because that requires tremendous and specialized effort that goes against the primary goal of the garment.

Oh friend, it doesn’t. Not for men’s suits I mean; I don’t know much about women’s clothing.

I am a short but beefy guy, shopping is hell and always has been. I had resigned myself to the idea that if I wanted a comfortable suit, I would have to get it tailor made. I have uncomfortable suits I wore for funerals and what not, hated every minute of it.

Turns out, go in the right shop (boss in my case) and I was able to find a comfortable one, with a look I love, for 800 eur. And it is absolutely as comfy as pjs. I’ve never before worn a suit for fun; I am the kind of guy who wears sports clothes most of the time.

I did have to get the leggings and sleeves shortened but that doesn’t feel like a “tremendous and specialised effort”, more run of the mill 1m60 man woes.

> And it is absolutely as comfy as pjs.

While I totally get a suit can be properly tailored, you should seriously look into improving your pajamas.

If it doesn't let your arms move their absolute full range without sliding up and down you've already have a big issue and should look into stretchier and probably softer fabrics. Breathability should also be miles ahead of 3~4 stacked layers of fabrics.

Cheaping out on pajamas is absolutely a waste.

But the ladies in the rational dress society put tight-fitting corsets at the top of their list of complaints, so presumably the kind of corset that isn't comfortable and which impedes movement were common at the time?

" that doesn't impede movement"

Could you comfortably do sports with it, or play with children? That's my definition of "doesn't impede movement".

I propose to look at it as at sports inventory. Climbing shoes impede movements in 99% of situation and unleash possibilities in remaining 1%. A corset tights breathing so wearer probably can not run Marathon in it but it increases a joy from sex to both parties. Maybe it is harmful to wear this thing every day but I hope our culture will never forget this and high-heels and all kinds of crazy stuff which women use to do to themselves for the sake of shaping of their body towards so-called attractiveness.

Ok, looking through sports lenses, in what instances does it help movement?

In my climbing shoes I cannot run very well, true, but I can climb better.

Maybe certain traditional dances?

But I remain very sceptical to stiff clothing that doesn't "impede movement".

I mean, don't get me wrong. People are free by me to wear whatever they want, if it brings them pleasure - as long as they don't have to wear it, if they don't want to. And sure, not every clothing is made for sports and there are other activities.

A decently tight corset makes an ass movement a little bit freer for a female while wearing it.

Social dances (salsa, bachata, kizomba) benefits from this.

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