Waist Collection (page 8)

Advert for Marshall & Snelgrove womens clothing 1906
Two elegant aspects of the evening corsage. 1906

Clothing and hats for womens spring wear 1913
Three very smart models wearing the latest spring clothing and hats Date: 1913

Costume for April 1913
Three effective spring womens clothing. (Left), wrap-around afternoon frock, black Liberty satin contrast is obtained with gold embroidered brocade of the blouse-jacket, finished with tassels

Advert for Gorringes womens frocks 1927
Inexpensive womens frocks just below the knee with drop waists. 1927

Models wearing elegant gowns 1912
Three women models wearing dainty toque hats and elegant gowns. 1912

Evening dresses and some quaint coiffes 1913
Women models wearing beautiful pre-war high waist evening frocks. 1913

Advert for Harness Electric Battery Belt 1884
Harness Electric Battery Belt, claiming the most effectual remedy for rheumatism, gout, neuralgia, deafness, headache, paralyss, nervous debility and other nervous muscular and functional maladies

Womens fashion for February 1913
Women models wearing the latest fashionable clothing from Paris, with velvets and silk hats with additions of bird of paradise plumes and a floral designs

Newest evening tunics 1913
Women models wearing attractive evening frocks. 1913

University Exerciser and Reducer advertisement
Advertisement for the University Exerciser and Reducer to eliminate that tired feeling from your life and step out into a new world of joyful energy

Cartoon, Lord Cairns and Miss Fortescue
Cartoon, Lord Cairns to Miss Fortescue -- Delighted, my dear, that my son has shown such good taste! May Fortescue (1859-1950) was an actress, singer and actor-manager

Misfitz Dolls - Dolly. early 20th century

English Ballet Dancer. 19th century

The Four Seasons, Spring, by John Hassall
Children having lots of fun in the park, playing hoops, climbing trees and playing rounders. 1902

Advert for D. H Evans girls school uniforms 1915
Double and single breasted school overcoats with wrap around belts. 1915

Beauty and the Beast 1912
Front cover of Femina magazine, showing an elegant women wearing cartwheel hat, white cotton dress with high waist, sash belt, pleated yoke, and embroidered hem, with white elbow length gloves

Duchess of Clarence, later Queen Adelaide
Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen (1792-1849), Duchess of Clarence, wife of Prince William, Duke of Clarence. When her husband became King William IV, she became Queen Adelaide (reigned 1830-1849)

Three young women in cycling fashions
Three young women in the latest cycling fashions. 1898

Two women in walking dresses, Kensington Gardens
Two women in walking dresses, as seen in Kensington Gardens, London, June 1806. 1806

Woman in a Georgian style dress -- designed at the fair of Saint Gorgon, near Rouen, France. circa 1830

Three women in Georgian style costume. 1815

Woman in Georgian style costume. 1816

Two women in Georgian style dresses in a garden. 1803

Advert for M. A. Claverie womens corsets & petticoats 1905
Woman wearing a delicate lace corset and petticoat, by M. A. Claverie, Paris. Date: 1905

Elegant garden dresses 1912
Elegant tunic double dress narrows at the ankles, with floral designs. Date: 1912

Elegant dresses 1912
Elegant afternoon, walking and tennis tunic dresses, with intricate designs and cocked floral and feathered hats, created by Zimmermann. Date: 1912

Sport clothing for women 1912
Sensible womens clothing for sports. Date: 1912

Elegant dresses for dining 1912
Four women wearing fashionable high waist tunic dining dresses. Date: 1912

Women wearing tailored winter suits 1905
Edwardian women wearing tailored suits and high bonnets with veils over face. Date: 1905

Edwardian women wearing bell shaped skirts 1904
Two women wearing bell shaped skirts, high necked lace, thin V - shaped waist and lace flounce. Date: 1904

Advert for La Samaritaine womens clothing 1908
Three women wearing different style outdoor clothing, fox fur lined coat with matching muff, tailored-made coat with button detail, embroidered edging and a loose fitted coat

Woman wearing floral patterned dress 1938
Woman wearing a mauve summer patterned floral dress with matching clutch bag and hand gloves. Date: 1938

Women wearing tailored skirted suits 1954
Women wearing tailored skirted suits attached with a small belt to slim the waist. 1954

Advert for Electropathic Belt 1882
Electropathic Belt for gentlemen and ladies, consists of a series of constant current electric generators, which are constantly in action while the belt is being worn. 1882

Advert for Electropathic Belt of Life 1882
Professor Barkers Belt of Life for women and men, helps stimulate, invigorate strengthen and exhilarate. 1882

Dresses for dining 1910
Four women wearing fashionable dinner dresses with high waists. 1910

Four women wearing outdoor jackets 1910
Four women wearing new fashionable jackets for the season. Date: 1910

Poster, Bottle Dance, Hungary. circa 1950s

Floral evening dress 1934
Vivid floral backless evening dress with draped neckline, high across the front and frills that cover the shoulder meet the pleated drapery at the back of the waist

Advert for Debenham & Freebody autumn tailor mades 1915
A selection of womens coats in navy and black with high collar and military lines. 1915

French womens fashion 1926
Three-piece blue and white afternoon dress in crepe by Worth. Chiffon sun dress by Bernard. Date: 1926

Womens spring clothing for 1926
Creation by Doeuille, two women wearing afternoon dresses with low waist. Date: 1926

Caricature of Sarah Bernhardt, French actress
Caricature of Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923), legendary French actress, described here as: Actor, author, painter, sculptor, universal genius, creation-whipper and wholesale fascinator

Frog with parasol and pink ribbon on a Christmas card
Frog with a parasol, and a large pink ribbon tied in a bow round its waist, on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Frogs snowballing on a New Year card, with holly round their waists -- ouch! Date: circa 1890s

Advert for Debenham & Freebody womens fur garments 1905
Edwardian woman wearing a fur Russian sable bolero. 1905

English Costume 1620
Man: doublet with overlapping, pointed tabs, cloak, shoes with roses, transitional collar between ruff & falling band. Woman: ruff, bodice with pointed waist, triple cuffs. Date: 1620

Her Sculptured Self
- But will they still see that I ve got a slim waist ? Date: 1895

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The waist, a timeless symbol of femininity and style, has evolved throughout history. From the gritty coal mines of South Wales to the glamorous flapper era, it has left its mark on fashion and society. In the depths of the coalface, miners toiled away with their waists cinched tightly in corsets. The year was 1927 when even a hardworking flapper couldn't resist adding a touch of glamour by adorning her bonnet with an exquisite waist-enhancing accessory. Fast forward to 1954, where two types of dresses showcased contrasting waistlines. One boasted a nipped-in waist that accentuated curves while another embraced a looser silhouette for comfort and freedom. Christian Dior himself sketched these designs as he revolutionized fashion post-World War II. Even during simpler times like 1907, women found ways to incorporate elegance into every aspect of life - including golfing. A stylish woman effortlessly swung her club while maintaining her impeccable posture and tiny waistline. Advertisements played their part too; Thomsons glove-fitting corset promised not only support but also an enviable hourglass figure. Women eagerly sought this undergarment's magical ability to sculpt their waists into perfection. However, not all depictions were so serious - WW1 brought about satirical cartoons such as "The Dropped Pilot. " Amongst the chaos, one thing remained constant: exaggerated feminine curves emphasized by impossibly small waists became fodder for entertainment. As time went on and societal norms shifted once again in 1948, David Wright captured a woman in an elegant black evening dress. Her slender waist gracefully complemented her attire as she exuded confidence and sophistication. Royalty too fell under the spell of this coveted feature; Queen Mary herself (then Princess of Wales) proudly displayed her regal poise alongside her impeccably defined waistline. Finally, Britannia graced magazine covers in April 1954, embodying the epitome of grace and strength.