Fashion Synopsis

When tiny waists are the in thing, expanding the other ends helps to create an ‘hourglass’ optical illusion. Bullet bras thrust the bosom out, crinolines poofed up the skirts, and wide waist belts helped to cinch in everything between the two extremes. But underneath that smooth shape, disaster waited to strike.

Flat waistbands were necessary to smooth out the layers of girdle, slip, crinoline, sweater, and skirt that threatened to make a big, bulky mass as soon as movement ensued. The belt helped to keep everything in its place, a ribbon around a Christmas package. So whether you were jitterbugging or Hula Hooping, things wouldn’t come apart and expose the bells and whistles.

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girl's apparel
accessories

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