Question

Annalise is a 15 year old, living in England during the Victorian Era. She is dancing at her debutante ball. She sits down after two dances as she feels breathless. Which of the following could be one of the possible reasons for her breathlessness?

• A. She was wearing a bonnet
• B. She was wearing stays
• C. She was wearing a corset
• D. She was wearing breeches

Answer 1

The correct option is C She was wearing a corset

During the Victorian Era, women were groomed to be docile, dutiful, submissive, and obedient. From childhood, girls were tightly laced up and dressed in stays to restrict the growth of their bodies. Older girls had to wear tight fitting corsets. Tightly laced, small-waisted women were admired as attractive, elegant, and graceful.

Annalise, being an older girl, would be expected to wear a corset. Corsets have been shown to have many medical side effects, including difficulties in breathing.