In the late 1870’s bodices began to extend lower and lower along the hips and as a result, so did the corsets. To help achieve that “hourglass figure” the spoon busk was introduced, which created an indention at the waistline in front and also controlled the abdomen. The busk is wider at the bottom than it is at the top, like a spoon. This corset is also made from high quality brocade coutil and bound with satin bias strips.

The construction of the average corset in this period took advantage of both the many shaped pieces of the latter 19th century AND the gores of the earlier 19th century, to create an even more extreme change in diameter between the bust, waist, and hips.  This corset is also very LONG … necessary for the tight fitted styles between 1879 – 1882.  With a 14 inch busk, it is about as long as I can wear and still sit down!