Victorian Anorexia - Corsets, Beauty, and Self Starvation

Did you know that Anorexia Nervosa has been medically diagnosable since 1873? In this episode we look at the links between self-starvation and Victorian fashion!

Welcome back to Victorians Exposed - a series of history vlogs centred around the weird, wonderful, and surprising aspects of Victorian history.

Further Reading:
'Victorian Literature and the Anorexic Body' by Anna Krugovoy Silver

[ellenm]

A historian’s perspective:

The more desirable silhouette for women during the Victorian era was soft and voluptuous (as shown in photography from the era - not drawings which are not accurate sources of information). The focus of the beauty standards for era were not so much on size or weight but on shape. The corset was meant to mold this more voluptuous figure into a different shape, just as push up bras shift the placement of breasts now. Tightlacing was a generally rare occurrence in the ways that are harmful, just as there are people who get breast implants now. It’s not the norm, so to speak. It is also important to remember that the measurements of women back then should not be compared to women’s sizes now. People in general were shorter and of smaller stature before the 20th century, due to simple things like the lack of hormones in meat, and malnutrition. People were just smaller. Also side note for the feminists out there like me - corset sewing was one of the first industries that women could actually take part in regarding running their own businesses!

[MirandaMBauer]

I think it should be recognized that the corset did not appear in this period - by the Victorian era, women had been wearing different types of corsets and stays for centuries. The corset wasn't some horrific punishment, or a form of torture - just a way of life! Its intention for centuries was as an undergarment, like a modern day bra. :)

[e.s.r]

I really appreciate seeing historical videos focusing on women's lives. I'm not sure the corset could be called the ultimate symbol of 19th century female bodily repression though-- what about foot binding, which was legal until 1912? By contrast corsets and stays were a supportive garment, even though they must have done dreadful things to women's core muscle tone. The only corset that can really be called damaging if worn correctly is the Edwardian S-shaped corset. My spine hurts just looking at that silhouette.

[jasminejade]

I love your channel so much! It's extremely interesting and helpful! :)

[lexijames]

Thanks for having a channel with some actual intellectual content. There’s so much garbage on YouTube!!

[RajaMCool]

So interesting. I just wrote a paper centered on the history of anorexia nervosa!

[noni]

The Victorian era and back was a damn good time for fashion. People actually gave a shit about how they looked versus now with all this fat acceptance and body positive bullshit. Are you a feminist? Because I feel like you're a feminist.