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A corset which gives full freedom to every movement of the body, yet maintains all the essentials for supporting the body of the person whilst engaged in athletics and various forms of sport, is a desideratum much appreciated by ladies who indulge in these more or less forms of violent exercise. More particularly is the wearing of such a garment important in the case of young persons constitutionally weak, or those whose muscular developments have not yet fully matured.

Stiff, tight-fitting corsets, and those types which are only suitable for walking, or some similar form of gentle exercise, should not be worn when indulging in these more active forms of recreations. It is not only the mischief caused at the time, but memories of the error are often forced into the mind of the unfortunate sufferer later on.
It will be seen from the set of patterns that the corset illustrated is very short, both above and below the waist-line. This enables the wearer to bring the body into any position with perfect ease, and give full play to the limbs without encumbrance, however strenuous the exercise may be.

Front of corset 12 1/2 inches; back, 13 inches,. busk, 9 inches ; front linings, are cut 12 3/4 by 1 1/2 inches ; back linings 13 1/4 by 1 3/4 inches; facings for the front are also cut 12 3/4 by 1 1/2 ins; 3 3/4 inch elastic is used.

The patterns are for a corset 23 inches at waist.

The work of making up the corset is similar to what has already appeared on previous pages, with a few exceptions. The facings are joined to the linings in place of the front sections, and the busks put in in the usual way. They are then joined to the fronts by putting the latter between them and stitching. The tops of the facing and lining are neatly folded inside and stitched, and usually left slightly above the elastic gore.

Binding on the corset commences at the other end of gore, and is carried round to the back in the usual way, and the bottoms are bound like the ordinary corsets.

It will be noticed that the narrow stiffeners extend right to the top of the elastic. The strapping is cut long enough to turn the end of it inside and finish neatly, just level with the top of the gore. A neat bow of dainty ribbon is the only trimming this kind of corset requires.

“Sports will be more than ever popular this season. A very attractive sports corset which combines daintiness, shapeliness, and durability is shown at the left. It is made of pale pink satin, the heavy, washable satin with mercerized back which is woven especially for corsets. It is very lightly boned, and the shortness and the deep band of elastic at the top combine to give great freedom to the wearer when she is active in any sport.”

WWI brought many changes to women’s wardrobes, and one of them was that sporting clothes became popular to wear everyday, and not just while playing a sport. The clothes were designed to allow a woman to move, and a sport corset was designed to support her figure, hold up the stockings, and also allow for freedom of movement.

“the fact remains that the very reason for the sports costume is freedom, and that is the keynote of the corset which forms the very foundation of the sports ensemble.” 47

This corset dates to 1919 to 1922, and is very similar in dimensions and shape to the 1921 Ferris sport corset, seen below, although with a much deeper elastic section. Sports corsets were not just recommended for sporting activities, but also motoring, and for active occupations, such as nursing, which involved bending and twisting.

Above the waist line there is a two inch strip of mercerized elastic webbing. Very low bust, medium length hip. Light boning. Front length 11 inches. Back length 12 1/2 inches. 8 1/2 in. Flexible clasp front. One hook below the clasp. Lacing at the back.

For the energetic or athletic woman here is a comfortable model in a serviceable and attractive brocade. The flesh colored rubber top gives freely and does not bind; rustproof boning throughout; long over the hips. Four good hose supporters. No boning over the long hips. Sizes 20-30