Corset : A Cultural History by Valerie Steele (2003, Trade Paperback)-image
Corset : A Cultural History by Valerie Steele (2003, Trade Paperback)-image
Corset : A Cultural History by Valerie Steele (2003, Trade Paperback)-image

Corset : A Cultural History by Valerie Steele (2003, Trade Paperback)

$ 17.9

Topic: Fashion & Accessories, General, Customs & Traditions Number of Pages: 208 Pages Item Length: 1.1 in Intended Audience: Trade Book Title: Corset : a Cultural History Format: Trade Paperback Dewey Edition: 21 Genre: Design, Art, Social Science gtin13: 9780300099539 ISBN-10: 0300099533 Synopsis: The corset is probably the most controversial garment in the history of fashion. Although regarded as an essential element of fashionable dress from the Renaissance into the twentieth century, the corset was also frequently condemned as an instrument of torture and the cause of ill health. Why did women continue to don steel and whalebone corsets for four hundred years? And why did they finally stop? This lavishly illustrated book offers fascinating and often surprising answers to these questions. Valerie Steele, one of the world's most respected fashion historians, explores the cultural history of the corset, demolishing myths about this notorious garment and revealing new information and perspectives on its changing significance over the centuries. Whereas most historians have framed the history of the corset in terms of oppression vs. liberation and fashion vs. health and comfort, Steele contends that women's experiences of corsetry varied considerably and cannot be fully understood within these narrow frames. Drawing on extensive research in textual, visual, and materials sources, the author disproves the beliefs that the corset was dangerously unhealthy and was designed primarily for the oppression of women. Women persisted in wearing corsets-despite powerful male authorities trying to dissuade them-because corsetry had positive connotations of social status, self-discipline, youth, and beauty. In the twentieth century the garment itself fell out of fashion but, Steele points out, it has become internalized as women replace the boned corset with diet, exercise, and plastic surgery. The book concludes with insightful analyses of such recent developments as the reconception of the corset as a symbol of rebellion and female sexual empowerment, the revival of the corset in contemporary high fashion, and its transformation from an item of underwear to outerwear., The corset is probably the most controversial garment in the history of fashion. Although regarded as an essential element of fashionable dress from the Renaissance into the twentieth century, the corset was also frequently condemned as an instrument of torture and the cause of ill health. Why did women continue to don steel and whalebone corsets for four hundred years? And why did they finally stop? This lavishly illustrated book offers fascinating and often surprising answers to these questions. Valerie Steele, one of the world's most respected fashion historians, explores the cultural history of the corset, demolishing myths about this notorious garment and revealing new information and perspectives on its changing significance over the centuries. Whereas most historians have framed the history of the corset in terms of oppression vs. liberation and fashion vs. health and comfort, Steele contends that women's experiences of corsetry varied considerably and cannot be fully understood within these narrow frames. Drawing on extensive research in textual, visual, and materials sources, the author disproves the beliefs that the corset was dangerously unhealthy and was designed primarily for the oppression of women. Women persisted in wearing corsets--despite powerful male authorities trying to dissuade them--because corsetry had positive connotations of social status, self-discipline, youth, and beauty. In the twentieth century the garment itself fell out of fashion but, Steele points out, it has become internalized as women replace the boned corset with diet, exercise, and plastic surgery. The book concludes with insightful analyses of such recent developments as the reconception of the corset as a symbol of rebellion and female sexual empowerment, the revival of the corset in contemporary high fashion, and its transformation from an item of underwear to outerwear. TitleLeading: The brand: Yale University Press Item Weight: 38.5 Oz Item Height: 0.1 in Illustrator: Yes Dewey Decimal: 391.4/2/09 Publisher: Yale University Press Item Width: 0.9 in Author: Valerie Steele ISBN-13: 9780300099539 Publication Year: 2003 LC Classification Number: GT2075.S74 2003 Language: English

Description

The Corset : A Cultural History by Valerie Steele Yale University Press, 2003 Trade paperback Like new, except for a ding on the spine (last photo) & a little wear along the bottom edge of the front cover. Covers & interiors are clean, with no marks/names/prices. Good bindings. Text pages are complete with no wear. No odor. Shipping weight is 3 pounds. Domestic shipping is with USPS media mail. International shipping is only through eBay's Global Shipping Program. International Buyers - Please Note: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying. All our books were donations to the Sacramento Public Library, and all proceeds go to fund their programs. Please visit the Sacramento Book Den eBay store for other great books. Click here for the Sacramento Book Den eBay store 23976EB

Related products