Ladies clothing question

[Russian Annie]

Would it be appropriate for a decent woman in the 1880s-1890s to wear a corset in a color other than white/cream?  I have seen drawings of corsets that look very dark in Harper's Bazar, and always thought that it was a  respectable magazine where one wouldn't find things inappropriate for a lady, but someone told me white was the only ladylike color back in the day, so now I'm confused.

[Tascosa Joe]

Not sure about the color, but they belong as underwear not outer wear. 

[St. George]

That's true.

Color wouldn't matter, since it'd be unseen - under layer after layer of voluminous clothing.

Take a look at the River Junction catalog for ideas and appropriate attire.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Russian Annie]

Thank you for the swift response, folks.

Color wouldn't matter, since it'd be unseen - under layer after layer of voluminous clothing.

Yes, but I would know!

I feel I should explain myself a little better. What I'm trying to find out is the sensibilities of the day, how rigid the opinions were on what's decent and what isn't in regards to corsets and other unmentionables. I've done some research online, but there is no definite answer. My ultimate goal is Level II authenticity; I'm still working out the details of my persona, but she's certainly going to consider herself a decent woman, which means she would care a good deal about propriety. I would imagine that just as a lot of women today wouldn't be caught dead in cheetah print lingerie, back in 1894 women would have a similar reaction to certain things - but what would these things be? Would wearing a black twill corset be considered scandalous/inappropriate?

I know that by 1890 lots of styles and colors were available and one source mentions that Montgomery mail catalog, targeting women in rural areas, offered corsets in white, drab, beige and black - and black ones sold the best. It seems reasonable to think that "rural women" means respectable wives and daughters living and working on farms and the like, not saloon girls, so one might conclude that decent women did wear black corsets. However, another article on history of fashion states "white was considered ladylike". How ladylike would a woman in a small town strive to be is another question I haven't found an answer to.

So if you know of a book or a diary that might shed light on this - I'd be very grateful.

[St. George]

Here's something that may be helpful...

'Victorian Fashions and Costumes from Harper's Bazar - 1867-1898'

By Stella Blum

1000 Illustrations.

ISBN 0-486-22990-4

Good Luck!

Vaya,

Scouts Out!