Thank you Birch Living for sponsoring! Click here birchliving.com/abbycox to get 25% off your Birch mattress (plus two free Eco-Rest pillows!) during their Memorial Day sale. Offers subject to change. #birchliving Remember: No body shaming, no slut shaming, please and thank you. 🫶 ABOUT RIB REMOVAL AND THE SWEATER: Ok - while I never thought that I would have to address this as a serious question - *NO* I do not, at all, in any way shape or form, believe that Kim had her lower ribs removed. I know that there are doctors now a days who claim to be able to perform this surgery, but that is extremely dangerous, and if I'm being honest, I think they're full of crap. Kim was, obviously, tight laced, but I don't think her reduction was more than 6" - in fact I think it was probably closer to 4". (side note: I knew I should have left this part in the video...ah well). Kim's waist is between 24 and 26" uncorseted (Via Kardashian Kloset where you can spend an insane amount of money to buy their used clothes). If she reduced 4" that would give her a 20-22" waist - *which is very small* especially when you compare it to her hip size - which may or may not be padded for this particular look (like I mention in the video Maison Margiela did pad their models, so it is possible they added some padding to Kim. We simply don't know at this time.) Her waist size is emphasized by her larger hips. While a 4" reduction at the waist on larger bodies can be relatively easy (please scroll through comments to read some conversations about this - I also have videos where I talk about corset wearing on my body and tight lacing) - 4" on a smaller body, especially on a body that doesn't have a lot of fat on it, is more difficult, unless you are actively training your body as a form of body modification. TL;DR - No ribs were removed for this look. Please stop perpetuating this rumor, it's silly. If you would like to learn more about someone during the early 1900s who had a waist smaller than Kim's check out my video about Polaire who was a famous actress, tight lacer, and frankly, would give Kim a run for her money when it comes to press stunts: ruclips.net/video/OcMuDAdaMtw/видео.html *As for the sweater*: As mentioned in some comments - a worn sweater is a part of Maison Margiela's brand. Someone in the comments mentioned it being seen as early as 1997, but it was also on the couture runway this season - the one I've referenced in the video (and there's a link in the description). As I mentioned in the video - Kim's story is a bit silly, and doesn't seem to align with the house's original concept, but the sweater is representative of Maison Margiela. It's ok if you don't like it, but when you view it through the lens of the house's design history - it makes a lot more sense (at least it did for me lol). You can see the inspiration for Kim's look in this Instagram post (instagram.com/p/C247uKuCw5M/?img_index=1) from Maison Margiela. The pilled sweater, the exposed corset, the unzipped/half off gown that has become a skirt - this combination is seen a few times in the show. They adapted this to better fit the theme for the Met Gala. What I'm wearing: Shirt: en.voriagh.com/cosima-cotton-shift-top.html Pants: www.madewell.com/the-harlow-wide-leg-pant-in-100-linen-NJ996.html?dwvar_NJ996_color=WR0379&cgid=apparel-pants-wideleg#intcmp='_visnav-2_wideleg&start=14 (links to clothes not sponsored, just available for those who are curious) Corset: It's a hand-me-down from Nicole Rudolph (www.youtube.com/@NicoleRudolph). The style dates to the 1860s. 💖
Have you ever checked Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sissi) ? She had a eating disorder and was obsessed with looking thin, so there s that, yet I think she was around 16” at the waist , but maybe I found wrong data, and was supposed to be so even after her pregnancies till her death.
I too spend a significant amount of time re-educating people about corsetry. I have found that having a corset next to a modern orthopedic back brace and controll top girdle for them to examine and handle has really helped illustrate that corsets, when properly fitted and worn, are no better or worse than our modern choices. Then someone like Kim Kardashian goes and does her thing and I know I will be starting all over again next season...sigh.
I love how you pointed out that 40+ people successfully wore corsets that no one mentioned them, and how that echoes the historical minority of tight lacing and the notoriety of it.
Well, Grande doesn't need a corset in any world. Not that KK needs one and she doesn't know how to wear it correctly. It looked painful, covered the lines of the gown, and she didn't walk gracefully. Otherwise, love the heel less heels.
I think it's time we all admitted that corseting and padding is what's happening on red carpets (more than most people think) rather than playing into people's body image issues by pretending it's just good dress fitting and their natural body.
This makes me think of a Dita Von Teese quote. She once said something along the lines of "you shouldn't have to wear undergarments when you're wearing couture" referring to how the vast majority of couture gowns will have some form of corsetry built in.
No, we should morally grand-stand and speculate about their subjective comfort levels and demonise them en masse for chosing not to consult us when deciding how to dress.
In general, I wish people embraced the idea that one's clothed body does not always look the same shape as one's unclothed body and it's okay. There are a lot of ways clothes can alter how one looks, whether by padding, squeezing waist through various means, or other optical illusions. But people assume that everything has to be form fitting, and it is creating all sorts of consequences, from body shaming and unhealthy desires to fit unrealistic ideals, to the ideas that altering the look of one's body with clothing is inherently bad and those who do it are oppressed by beauty standards and not making an aesthetic/ convenience choice.
Better to alter the appearance of the body with corsetry and padding to meet fashion or other requirements and can be changed as the fashion changes than modifying the body with potentially dangerous/fatal surgery that is often irreversible
To me… Kim being allowed to wear Marilyn’s dress is the equivalent of letting her wear Princess Diana’s wedding gown. Some dresses should NEVER be worn again and should only be kept in the most qualified conservation museums. Also with a team of highly qualified staff and scientists whose sole job is to keep the garment safe for all of time.
I agree completely. Especially when she styled it so poorly and didn’t even seem to practice walking in it beforehand. That awful sweater, the inelegant hairstyle, the terrible shoes, the painful looking corset and extremely awkward posing and walking…it just made it such a trashy ensemble. What a waste.
Wearing Marilyn’s dress also just didn’t make much sense from a style perspective. The iconic dress was specifically tailored to Marilyn’s body measurements and skin tone to look like it was basically painted on her body, so obviously it was going to look the best on her. It would have been a much better to pay homage to the original dress by wearing a replica dress that was tailored to Kim’s own measurements and skin tone. She honestly would have looked more like Marilyn if she had gone down that route than trying to wear Marilyn’s actual dress because it was clearly not made for her and didn’t look right.
Ripleys believe it or not did on purpose. I’m sure for the advertising of their place from her wearing it. Everyone knows now where they they can to go see the dress you look it up of where or which Ripleys believe it or not how is it on display. Ripley’s believe it or not also said that she did not destroy the dress or cause it any harm since they are the owners I believe them. What’s good though is we’ve had a really great conversation about conservation of different kinds of materials. There are a lot of positives that came out of the conversation and that’s a great thing.
That adulteress Mar*lyn Monroe’s dress is NOT in *ANY* way, shape, or form able to compare to *Princess Diana* ‘s WEDDING DRESS. And mind you, I don’t like Diana, either.
I’m not going to body shame Kim, I’m going to shame her for the disservice she did to that gown and the designer who created it. It think she’s more concerned about making the corset meet than honoring the vision and wearing the outfit properly. She took what should have been an interesting and potentially provocative design that sparked conversation and turned it into “What the hell was she thinking?!” As you said, her demand to be tight laced ended up ruining the lines of the garment. You pointed out others wearing the same designer and they looked stunning. Kim looked like a paramedic crew should have been waiting in the shadows for when she either passed out or fell and broke a bone. I can’t help but wonder if the designer saw her faltering all over the red carpet and thought, “That’s not how I told you to lace it! I made to fit you laced properly, not a ten inch waist contest! This makes me look like I don’t know how to make a high end garment!”
@@obliviouscandybar I don't know much about fashion or corsets, but that sounds like it would've been a good idea. I bet padding could've made her waist look just as small without tight lacing to that extent. The corset was very long too, so they probably could've added padding to the hip and butt area. Too bad she didn't communicate the look she wanted ahead of time.
@@jessicacharlton7347, I’m not sure she would have communicated that. I think she’s just obsessed with “corset style garments must meet at the lacing”. She doesn’t pay attention to what the designers tell her. I think she only cares about “snatched waist”.
Same. I've never in my life sought to purchase any of their products, watch their programs, etc., etc. I came here for Abby Cox's commentary on corsets. I'm trying really hard to prepare for making one for the first time. I'm nervous, so I keep watching different RUclipsrs talk about corsets. lol
I think the sweater was used to hide the roll of flesh that can appear at the back and sides of a tightly laced corset. Some designers like Mystic City who are plus-size friendly compensate by raising the back quite high, but it probably wasn't done for a couture corset because it does not look as good.
Interesting theory! In my experience making corsets for clients, smaller people tend to be much more self conscious about a little bit of upper back squish. Most plus size clients I’ve worked with don’t care about it that much. I was that way when I was small too, and I think I was deeply terrified of “looking fat,” but now that I am actually fat, there’s nothing I can put on that will change that fact. It’s like, having a thin body is so valued in our culture that any indication that we might lose it, like a little bit of squish around the armpit, can feel like a disaster.
Hefty chunk of people in the public who hates corsets are people who 1) never worn one 2) worn an off the rack fashion corset once 3) generally think corsets always have to be tightlaced. I quite often wear corsets to work (8-10 hours a day), and always explain to colleagues that "image corsets like shoes with laces. You only tighten your shoelace to be comfortable. But you can tighten it more if you feel like it, or loosen it if uncomfortable. Corsets are the same thing. You lace it however you want. That seem to invoke some thinking, not just repeating the "corsets are gonna kill you" attitude that is ingrained in society.
as someone who sold corsets and wore them... i always describe the big difference as "how much squish" a person has. two women with the exact same measurements... and one is solid muscle and dense tissue, you CANNOT reduce with corsetry comfortably. but people like me, or generally "squishy" can easily take the waist down inches without strain. Kim doesnt have a lot of padding on her waist or ribs, and trying to tight lace a person with no squish will be even worse! and yes she clearly cant walk because she cant move
That's kinda the same idea with bras, right? Like I'm squishy but also over endowed - I need a tighter band to provide support, all the weight is on my shoulders if the band is loose or loosely fitted (and I have the half inch ruts in my shoulders to prove it), but it's been so hit or miss when I've been measured (especially the 'add 3 inches' folks 🤨)
Yes, absolutely this! I also used to sell corsets, made by a very talented corsetier friend, and I was always excited to fit a new customer and see what their squish level was. I had a lot of 'first timers' who were just astonished by the sudden massive pull in on their waist, if they were squishy people. I think it's to do with how someone's ribs lay, I feel like there's a hard line where someone's body just says 'no more squish' and there is nothing that will change that. I used to ask customers if they wanted to really tighten up, just for the effect, and they usually did, so we had a fun few minutes going further than you normally would. Then they would get the wonderful 'release' feeling when I loosened it off again, and we'd stand there chatting a while with the properly fitted corset on. They realise just how darned comfortable it is, and I usually got a sale from it :D I kinda miss doing that business.
I’m very squishy and I actually make my corsets a size or two smaller than the patterns recommend and nearly always lace down tight because it’s MORE comfortable than a looser corset sliding around and up and down because the way my torso is shaped
Exactly!!! When I ordered a pre-made corset online, the employee I emailed about sizing made sure to let me know that I’d probably experience some gaping at the ribs for some of the styles. Bc even though I’ve got lots of squishability in the waist and hips, I have nearly nothing in the ribs!
Most ballet tutu bodices are heavily boned, some even lacing up like corsets, tutu's are heavy and often held up by tapes in them. and you need support. The fact that I and other dancers can pull off a full length ballet wearing those and not pass out, is evidence enough that a proplery worn corset will not harm you
If I were a designer, I would not want Kim to wear any of my things. She makes all the hard work that went into it look bad. That's not great advertising.
Yeah she really screwed over the designer by making their corset be perceived as unwearable. Designers would need a handler who could stand up to Kim which must be incredibly hard given her influence.
Something that I thought about while you were discussing the derogatory accounts of corsetry written by men in the 19th century was your video from a year or two ago, where you were speaking about how corsetry allows a person to keep their 'private body' to themselves. Traditionally, men have decried those fashion choices adopted by women that allow them less access to a woman's body--i.e., the huge crinolines of the mid-19th century, among other fashion trends. Thus it makes sense that some men would heavily criticize corsetry, as it obscures the perception of a woman's natural figure that they feel entitled to be able to see and judge for themselves.
Ugh that Pirates scene....ughhhhhhhhhhhhggggg It's like physically painful to me. CORSETS DIDNT EXIST. TIGHTLACING DIDNT EXIST YET. She'd have BEEN WEARING SOFT STAYS FOR DECADES ALREADY. /gasps.
And of course, the entire film depends on her fainting and falling into the water, despite EVERY OTHER WOMAN THERE wearing stays and NOT having any trouble at all. I have to skip that part if I rewatch that movie lmao
BUT she did say that its a new fashion trend from paris and that its too tight for her. Like yes, wouldnt have happened but they do acknowledge that Elizabeth swann would usually have worn more comfortable clothes
@@AbbyCox It's a funny throw away laugh line for anyone who doesn't know their fashion history. For those of us who do, then its a cringe worthy comment at best. & a full on frustrated screaming rant at the screen at worst.
@@astreaward6651 Her *CONSTANTLY* fainting is beyond anoying I agree! I live in rural Australia & I don't faint in the summer when wearing a corset. Not even when the mercury hits 40°C/102°F.
What's the deal with farting up a storm.....sry never worn a corset....and this is the first video I've watched on corsets....cause I would have thought it would have been peeing up a storm....lol
I just don't understand why she was grabbing the cardigan that way, constantly pulling at it Was it to make different poses for photography?Does anyone have an explanation for me please?
@@morganniciomhair8284 I saw someone say somewhere that it might've been a way to comfort herself, to clutch onto something to help with the uncomfortableness 😅 buuut it's all speculation of course
If you don’t have the ego to wear the dress without the little cardigan security blanket, don’t wear the dress! That looked ridiculous! Those shoes were wild but of course you could not see them.
I find it extraordinary how often the importance of grace of movement is ignored. Any gown is rendered inherently pointless when movements are ugly and clumsy. It's why I think the majority of people should avoid strapless garments; they obliterate the possibility of elegance with constant tugging of the top. Reserve these kinds of garment for still photographs!
This. With so many of these Met Gala gowns, yeah, they look stunning in the pictures. But you see them awkwardly waddle along that carpet one time, and the whole thing takes a sharp turn towards the ridiculous.
Properly constructed strapless garments don't fall down. The issue is cheap dresses with no interior construction. A strapless or off the shoulder gown requires corseting inside, and a gros grain ribbon is sewn in at exactly the point of the natural waist (the smallest part) so that it can neither ride up nor slip down. They have to be custom made for one body, which is another reason why off the rack dresses will have issues.
Besides the stumbling around on heel-less platformed shoes and wrangling the sweater, I noticed that she kept putting a hand at the left hip. I think she pulled the lace tighter routine again and ended up irritating the nerve bundle in her left hip. If you look at the clip of her being liced into Mr. Pearls corset she literally says "I feel like we can go tighter." Now that corset was made to go under a very specific gown and would ruin the effect they were going for and yet she still wants them to go tighter. I think she pulled the same thing this year and they laced her down too tight. So she stumbled around and kept putting her left hand at the back of her rear end as if she was trying to release the tension or pain in that hip.
Kim very clearly prioritizes image and discourse over her own comfort, which is her choice, but both with this one and the Marilyn dress fiasco she bit off more than she could chew. She got the views and attention she wanted but she didn't look good and looked outright uncomfortable
Btw I did say that the Met Gala should invite you and other Dress History RUclips creators. Y’all know how to party, look fabulous and raise awareness about fashion preservation and other matters.
Oh it would be fantastic! Plus we'd probably see exactly how everything was made. Plus there are regular sewists who have made amazing things for the gala but which were not on the carpet on the night: one person did a big flowy gown using sun-reactive dyes and flowers
@@sarahwatts7152I think I know the sun reactive dye dress, if it is the dress I’m thinking of it was made by Gunnar Deatherage. It’s a beautiful gown! I wouldn’t call him a ‘regular sewist’ tho, he is a designer in his own right. He was on Project Runway in seasons 9&10, tho now his brand sells patterns instead of garments for the most part (as far as I know) he still makes his living in the fashion world as a designer.
I’m so glad you mentioned the “farting” problem 😂 people just forget the odd things involved in tight lacing, I always wondered how they go to the bathroom when in those garments. 😂
Personally I think her obvious discomfort was a combination of things. And contrary to most I don’t think the lacing was the major factor. I think it was the juggling of the awkward heeless shoes, the metal skirt, and making sure the sweater covered her so there wasn’t a nip slip that made her look so uncomfortable. She looked like she was dealing with too many variables at once and was simply overwhelmed. But that’s just my opinion.
There was more than one outfit in the most recent (viral) MM show that was paired with a well worn cardigan. The models were doing the MM walk. I think that inspired her but again…. It came off awkward with awkward movements while walking.
I was about to say the same thing. That metal skirt must have been hell to wear without doing some damage to her legs. I remember wearing high platform shoes and boots in the 1970's and they made it very difficult to walk normally. Those shoes without heels completely throw off the centre of balance.
@@susanpilling8849 I love most platforms with chunky heels but I’ve had foot surgeries and cannot do standard heels. Platforms (within reason) and kitten heels - yes. I could not imagine wearing those shoes. You would spend all of your time focusing on not falling over. Baby steps on tiptoes the whole time. You know they had to slide around a bit too.
I also think the cardigan was probably to protect her skin from the metal. Sequin dresses leave me with scratches and rashes under my arms, I can only imagine that metal would be much more painful
She said the dress was "falling off her" and she just grabbed her boyfriend's sweater, which I think is further proof that she wasn't wearing it as intended. It was fitted especially for her and pulling it too tight probably changed the way the top fit making her feel too exposed. I'm sure the designer wouldn't have made it that way, she did something that made it not fit correctly because that designer clearly would have made sure it fit right and looked right. What a shame she didn't wear it as intended.
Because now people think plastic boned fashion tops are corsets, belts are corsets, those weird latex training things are corsets…if you get a real custom made corset from a good maker…it is a totally different thing.
They don't know what they're doing. It's a lack of not being taught how to properly put it on because in the last century we decided to ditch them. I think that was a huge mistake because they promoted good posture and gave proper support, better support than a bra does.
I wish that someone had told me that when I first started buying corsets (all of which I still have). I assumed that they were supposed to meet in the back, and got depressed if they didn't. Now I need to go and try them all on again and work out which ones are actually too big. :)
I wonder if at any point when wearing that she thought "maybe this was a bad idea." Because of how uncomfortable she looked. Thank you for explaining that! I was wondering why there was a space during the video.
@@AbbyCox Doesn't the wider space at the waist mean that the corset is "looser" there than at the bust and hip relative the intended proportions of the corset? Does it not follow that the corset was relatively overtightened at the bust where the lacing had no space? I am thinking that Galiano's intent was discomfort (look at those shoes!) for the attention it would bring
I don't really care if she tight laced or not. It was the sweater, it brought the entire look down and if I was the designer I don't think I would ever work with her again.
The sweater was styled as part of the outfit by John Galiano, he was in the video in her suite while she was getting ready for the event. So I don’t think he’d stop working with her because she wore exactly what he gave her.
Thank you for showing pictures of the many other ladies who were wearing corsets. I liked best the women who were on the bigger side, like me. They looked fabulous in their corsets, especially as they showed off their gorgeous curves while still looking, is the term "natural" or "in proportion"? I guess that's what's jarring about Kim's look. She looks SO uncomfortable, and just out of proportion.
I honestly think that's why Kim's corset got the most attention, she just looked so awkward. Her waist is laced down so tightly, and her hips & rear are so padded (& surgically enhanced) that the overall effect becomes a bit uncanny. With the other ladies dresses, the corsets where a part of the whole look, so people didn't say "look at that corset" they said "look how good she looks".
I was about 15 minutes into this video and asked myself "why the hell am i watching this? I couldn't possibly care less about Kim, or who ever, or this dress event full of people i do not know. Ill go back to watching warhammer mini painting tutorials." But honestly. After finishing the video. Im now a wiser man :)
I feel like Kim is doing damage to Maison Margiella as a brand, because my first thought was that it was a badly fitted corset (like how actors talk about the corsets they are forced to wear). Which kinda surprised me, considering she can afford custom corsets without even having to think about the cost.
@@justinwilliams7290 I don't know anything about the designer besides Kim K wearing them during the Met Gala. If they are antisemitic that is ofc a HUGE problem, but just like I don't know anything about them more than what I've seen in this video, I assume lots of people who aren't that interested in fashion houses are as ignorant as I am in this area.
It would be cool to have heels where the heels themselves curved under/forwards and connected to the rest of the shoe in a way that flexed and didn't impede the gait. I'd be terrified to wear Kim's shoes in case I leaned a bit too far back and overbalanced, especially if my outfit made it hard to move!
yeah it takes *a lot* for me to have a strong reaction to someone in corsetry...especially in a way that is "negative" (for lack of a better term) but she did it. oof. She just looked so incredibly uncomfortable that it detracted from the overall look...like the corset and skirt are incredible (even if I still don't understand what they were saying on the IG post lol) but they're overpowered by her mouth breathing, unsteadiness, and constant look of pain on her face.
@@AbbyCox If I were a designer, I would not want Kim to wear any of my things. She makes all the hard work that went into it look bad. That's not great advertising.
@@AbbyCoxI don’t think it was all the corset. The Vogue video showed (my battery is getting low and going rogue) her getting dressed, in the corset Galliano made for her (and as mentioned he and the MM team are well aware that there needs to be a period of breaking it in). The Maison Margelia (autocorrect) team laced her up on the Vogue video and she was having no issues then. The skirt made out of metal lace caused some other complications. She could not wear heels of any type because they kept getting stuck in the metal lace. They made a pair of giant platforms without heels. She had to walk and balance on her tiptoes. Many people were attributing all of her movement issues with the corset without knowing about the shoes.
My 9 year old and i had a conversation about corsets and tightlacing. I told her that you should be able to breathe easily and move relatively freely. If you feel faint, it's too tight. I told her I'll show her how to wear one properly when we go to the Ren fair in a few weeks.
SIDE NOTE! SHE IS NOT THE ONE WEARING THE CORSET! She was watching a doctor go on about how corsets are terrible for your health and I was clarifying for her that regular tightlacing can be really bad for you, but a properly laced corset is fine.
So many women at the Met have to have assistants help them up straits because of their trains and/or shoes…the old school status that you are so rich, you can wear unfunctioning fashion. :)
ikr! the literal dissonance between them and the rest of the world feels dystopian, or at the very least deeply uncanny. It's giving Capitol in a world of Hunger Games.
I have learned things today! I have three pretty decent corsets and a few costume-y ones. I’ve worn them on stage to do musicals like Jekyll and Hyde and Sweeney Todd. We thought the corset should meet in the back. We made it a regular thing to start wearing them while still learning choreography, so we’d be able to breathe and move when tight laced during the show run. Now, I did play ladies of the night and pushed my bosom further than I needed to, just for fun. But I guess my point is… I know corsets don’t have to be uncomfortable and that they must fit right for that to be true. I even wore one at work for a few weeks after a spinal injury because of how supportive it was. But I didn’t know! I didn’t know the key was to make sure it fits *without* tight lacing! I’m so excited. Thank you for everything. Love the video, holy heck. 🫶🏻🖤
I feel like the theme of this year's Met Gala was wear something so impractical you cannot function like a normal human being. I know it's high fashion, but if you cannot walk the red carpet in your red carpet dress, something has gone terribly wrong with the design process.
Is that not EVERY Met Gala? The wealthy showing off their status made by high end designers with no functionality or purpose other than to show off the ability of high end designers to create often ugly pieces. Yes there are many beautiful pieces made for beautiful people but are still never to be worn again or be functional.
The saddest part is that if they actually followed the theme it wouldn’t be… rather than sand dress or [insert garden motiff] they should have followed what the exhibition is actually about: garments so old and fragile that they need to be lying down so be exposed cause otherwise they would fall apart - worn out and tattered fabrics, delicate laces, pulled out embroidery, THAT was the theme!
When my husband and I watch any show or movies have women wearing corsets in them, he loves to mess with me by saying “oh god, it’s another one of those killer corsets! Thank goodness they were outlawed, the body count needs to end!” 😡😂 He has heard my frustrated, impassioned rant on corsets being used incorrectly in Hollywood/pop culture for *years* 😂
@@tishie42Speaking as someone who has a long waist, squishing is our superpower. I don't have Kim's other proportions, but at least I've got something!
@@tishie42no she's not. She's very slim & dense - all bone with added hip and ass padding courtesy of Mr Hollywood surgeon, which isn't in squish region😮.
One thing i noticed regarding Kim is how flushed and uncomfortable she looks, and it concerns me that she'd decided to tight-lace to her detriment and the fashion house, like, she could have worn it with padding in a way that would have really accentuated her curves and made it outlandish but still making it comfortable to wear for the evening. I'm more concerned the ambulance would be called in 3hrs!! Also, those shoes are known as hoof shoes, generally they're a balance unto themselves and with the weighted skirt i'm REALLY surprised she stayed upright!
If I were on the team that labored over the artwork that is Kim's 2024 Gala dress, I'd be beside myself that Kim and her dressers so shifted the fit of the garment as to require Kim to grab a random ass sweater to wrap around herself to keep covered. A garment at that event is meant to be appreciated in its entierty as a head to toe look. It was like commissioning a painting and then draping a corner of it in burlap.
@justinwilliams7290 she made the sweater awkward AF. I think if she had worn the dress as it was designed to work, she could have made the sweater work effortlessly.
Speaking of modern applications, I wear an off-the-rack corset when I do cardio because I can just throw it over my pajamas and it keeps all of the jiggly bits in place and is easier to get in and out off compared to wet spandex clothing
I've broken my ribs a couple of times, and resorted to wearing one of my corsets that fitted snuggly but not tightly around the affected areas and it took the pain away completely! A good corset is fantastic for all occasions, including keeping jiggly bits in place!
Brilliant idea! I've been attempting something similar with homemade corset attempts bcause storebought won't work for brick-with-boobs body shape (at least none I've tried) , so far the most comfortable has been the support vest based on my princess seam bodice block. Which I suppose is really all a corset is, at base.
I'm not willing to judge Kim K for this. If she was willing to suffer to get the look she wanted, hey, it's her body. She can do with it what she likes. Is she being a bad role model to women? Nah. She's a spectacle. People get that. I'm much more interested in the skirt. It is stunning, and as someone who does basic wire working, I can tell you the work is beyond amazing!! Let's focus on the highly skilled craftspeople who made that skirt instead of on how tight Kim K chose to wear her corset.
Why they didn’t opt for a wedge heel instead of no heel is a little weird. The shoe was made of clear resin anyway and under that skirt, it would have been close to impossible to tell what the shoes looked like. Balancing on those types of shoes is a lot harder because the weight is shifted more towards the toes. Add to that a probably quite heavy skirt and the whole no breathing tight lacing BS and it’s a recipe for disaster. Also can people please for the love of all that’s sacred stop overdoing things that could lead to potential injury. It doesn’t even look visually appealing, so let’s just stop with the auto asphyxiation and wear the corset in a way that still allows the wearer to function normally.
i get that doing weird stuff at the met gala is her actual job but that just looked incredibly painful. I have so many questions that can have no answers really. this video is so good, great job explaining it all!
There was something about the mouth being open, like she was a dying dog panting and struggling to lurch around in those heels where I felt sympathy for the first time like, "Something is not mentally right with her to go through that just for media attention..."
i wore a corset last night as a warmth and support layer to a dinner dance last night. i wore it because i'm just getting over an autoimmune flare-up that's left me a little...um...diluted-feeling...? i can't even begin to describe how much more comfortable and confident i felt having that extra warmth and support--it was like a lovely warm hug underneath my pretty dress. and yes--it's may, and yes--i'm in the mid-atlantic region of the u.s., and yes---i've been feeling so not-well lately that mid-60s felt positively chilly to me, and, despite a heavy raincoat, i was shivering through and through walking back to my car. and it really helped my posture, which was also a win.
"My dress was falling apart, so I just grabbed my boyfriend's sweater" Kim has a history of DESTROYING dresses! Why did ANYONE think tight lacing her into something she couldn't even sit down in the car to get to the gala in was ever a good idea? Also breathing in a corset should NEVER be an issue if one knows how to breath from one's diaphragm! I wore a corset for 8yrs, 9weekends a year, for 11hrs a day. Yes, I was in a Renaissance Faire. TBF: The original corset I wore was NOT an Elizabethan corset. It was a Victorian styled corset and was meant to be tight laced. It was also made for someone else, so the hips didn't fit me properly at all! Even so, I NEVER once had any issues breathing, tight laced or not. I instinctively knew to breath from my diaphragm. I also had a reputation of having a VERY Loud Outdoor voice! I was someone our voice coach used as an example. So, Kim's tight lacing was 1) Done wrong 2) She doesn't know how to breath properly at all!~
I needed an emergency solution for back pain from standing up at work a couple of years ago so I whipped out my (quite expensive) high-school victorian-style gothic corset hoping that thight lacing that would help me support my back for a few hours. I am more fleshy now so it was already thighter than a decade before and I squeezed myself very well in it. STILL I DID NOT HAD ANY TROUBLE BREATHING, TALKING OR MOVING AROUND! Disclaimer: I do not recommend this as a solution for back pain but, as I said, it was an emergency and it was helpful
@Basilissa_Sunight I wear the when my back pain is really bad. Fits better and is more supportive, comfortable, and discreet than any of the $400 back braces the Dr's made me buy
Videos that explain typical corsetry, like this one, inspired me to try corsets. they are so comfortable and tape a lot of strain off my neck and shoulders. Just took a bit to get my body used to them. I wore it under my clothes to work down the first time last week and didnt leave with a headache for once
I have a 40 inch waist that can easily be laced to a 32. More if I tight lace…but the whole time I am comfortable. Corsets should be comfortable if it is custom made.
Love hearing you talk about corsetry! Your academic studies are much appreciated. ❤ It’s a shame, really, that Kim’s tight lacing stole all the thunder from the new method used to create her gown’s lace. We were all too busy being slightly horrified at how uncomfortable she seemed and confused by her death grip on that sweater. And I do chuckle that celebs bother wearing bizarre shoes that we can’t really see anyway…
As a reenactor and historical interpreter, I get constant remarks about my corset. When I stand up, run around, do household (19th century) chores, people are amazed that I'm not dead. I had one lady actually try to tell me off and call me an undeducated, vain person. *excuse me* (this was my response.) I wear a corset every day for back and bust support. I make my own corsets. I fit them to my waist and pad out everything else. I'm perfectly able to eat, breathe and move in them. AND...the corsets i wear are whale boned (synthetic) and moulded to my body so they don't squeeze everywhere the way that modern elasticated girdles do (which the lady was clearly wearing under her skin tight leggings and top.) Then I played some running games with children and she walked off in a huff. 😂 The other visitors that day all got a lovely demonstration of how corsets are made, worn and lived in.
I would love to do that but my sewing skills are awful these days, I need an easy front closure for honking big girls and short waisted. The idea of a corset to help out that is a dream.
As i said to my mom when bitching about this look, "if you are that uncomfortable, can't move properly, and can't breathe in a corset, you're doing something wrong." You've gone to tight, you've not trained enough, or the coset is the wrong shape for your body. Or all of the above. I personally love the 'extreme' look of a very small waist. I can go quiet tight comfortably if I've been training, and even when I haven't, I can still lace almost as tight comfortably for short periods of time. I also never have problems breathing, I choose corsets with a cupped rib shape so they don't compress my ribs. I already have a small rib cage, pectus excavatum, and kinda shit lug capacity because of all that, I don't need to try and make my rib cage any smaller.
I said to my mom and some friends that the same women who wore those most outlandishly uncomfortable getup for the gala would be the first to whine while putting corsets on for a period film.
My biggest pet peeve for anything remotely historical or fantasy-themed is the people who are ignorant of how corsets work and what style fits the costumes. Like, why would you make actresses of a Regency-themed show wear Victorian-styled corsets instead of short-stays????
It's interesting how a 1/2 inch could make so much difference in her ability to breathe and move! Would the dress look significantly different if she wore the corset how it was intended to be worn? I imagine she would still look tight laced even with a 1 inch gap.
I keep thinking about Bernadette Banner making her corset. It's all in how it's made. Her corset gave the shape and the support she needed, and she didn't have to tight lace. She couldn't have anyway because of her back.
As someone who occasionally wears modern corsets, I immediately thought her corset isn't well-designed for getting the smallest waist effect. It needs to be cupped around the ribs so she can breathe! The narrow part should be very short, the classic "wasp waist" silhouette. That way you can get the smallest possible waist effect. I'm a mid-size (10-12ish) and I can comfortably do 4-6" reduction in a modern corset that's well-fitted. Most off the rack corsets if you're looking at a price point of $100-250 are not designed for serious reduction or for people who already have a small waist compared to their underbust. I don't understand why some of these outfits don't use the proper techniques that they show in the runway shows you showed, or even what modern corset designers like Dark Garden use without padding to still create a dramatic silhouette.
Yay! You're writing a book on corsetry! Will definitely read, I just wish I could have cited it last year for my research project. My topic (much to my teachers' confoundment hilariously) was, 'What are some common misconceptions about 18th and 19th century stays and corsets. What is the truth?'
The skirt is probably very heavy, so I would wager is a terrible mix of all three. Limited mobility from a too long and too tight corset, insane shoes that require a lot of balance and strength, and also a heavy skirt.
@@johannageisel5390 yes I love chopines and I thought that too. Mediaeval ladies employed two young men to hold her up on either side when the shoes reached very magnificent heights. Kim could have gone for that and probably got away with it. I mean, she really looked like she could do with some help, I thought she just looked kind of checked out and stunned, as if she had been slapped with a wet fish while being a zombie. And I don’t mean this to be hateful, it’s just how she looked to me. Have you ever been high and your parents decide to visit? Yeah, that.
A primary difference between antique and contemporary corsets, perhaps explaining the narrowing of the gap, is that antique corsets were considered an undergarment which gave structure to a dress, not outwardly worn as a design element. IMHO, Kim’s dress was also too long to be worn safely, and prevented normal ambulation. I also hope she was wearing support hose, as venous return flow can be somewhat impaired with that much restriction.😉
I confess, I'm mid 50s, with arthritis, and I have a pair of boots that are sky high like those shoes and without a heel, and they are the most comfortable damn things I've ever worn! Not having the heel means you can surrupticiously rock back and change the angle of your foot, so never get stuck in the awful high heel position. They're great. They're actually not difficult to balance on either! It's a very weird thing, and I love them for the 'shock factor' without the usual discomfort! :D
😮I'm so surprised! When Gaga used to wear hoof shoes like 10-15 years ago, she always had men supporting her on either side, like a Japanese oiran of old.
@@magdlynstrouble2036 I’ve seen some ballet dancers describe them as “hell”. I’ve had 2 foot surgeries (the first as I was getting ready to start pointe in ballet) I cannot do standard heels anymore. Platforms with chunky heels and kitten heels… okay. Regular heels puts too much pressure on the ball of my foot. This is an incredibly uncomfortable part of wearing heels for many women, surgery or not. I cannot imagine the pain I would feel from all the pressure being on the ball of my foot, and no support whatsoever for my heels, while walking on my tiptoes. No thank you.
The dress was STUNNING. it's a shame that the too tight laced corset overshadowed the rest...minus the sweater/shrug thing. While I get the inspiration behind it, it looked cheap (especially considering that they used antique fabric) and I think they could have done the idea differently.
THANK YOU for the reassurance about just that tiny little difference making a HUGE practical difference. I sing in corsets and for the first time last week, actually laced SLIGHTLY tighter than usual to fit into a dress I'd planned on wearing for the gig. Result: I couldn't finish the three-course dinner that was part of the evening. I felt like a failure! All because of one tiny inch!
I really didn't notice Kim's corset's lacing until this video. For me, it was the sweater, half on, half off. The fabric clashed with the skirt and corset, as if it was a last minute idea. A bolero or caplet made from the same fabric of the skirt would have looked more put together. I'm a Renaissance Faire goer, and have lots of corsets, and I love the back support it gives.
The way I thought of you IMMEDIATELY after I saw her look live, I out-loud said "Kimberly no" like genuinely concerned for her I was gooped and gagged with this look, but I knew i just needed to be patient for my favorite fashion historian to explain it for me
This is so interesting especially talking about how tightlacing is different for everyone bc ive laced down ~5 in before and i could still breathe and literally run around and eat and do basically everything perfectly fine but thats bc im squishy!
On the bright side, Kim seems to have given us a pretty good representation of what tight lacing looks like and does to one's body. I really think that corset would have looked absolutely amazing if worn the way it was originally intended, which I kind of feel sad for those that worked hard on creating it
Thanks for making me discover an important difference between normal corset and tight-laced ones. Now I feel like I have been lied about that my whole life.
I still remember when she wore the mr pearl wet look corset costume so I was so surprised when everyone was freaking out when it looked to be the same proportions as that outfit I regularly tightlace because I like the feeling and mentally it feels “nice” having something physically hold me together when all my brain wants to do is fall apart so to speak. So that may blur my view on the subject but.. The most uncomfortable looking part of this outfit looks like those metal/mirror pieces woven in the skirt that would cut up her behind if she sat down, they looked. Sharp, also she likely couldn’t sit down with that hobble skirt of death The fact it looks uncomfortable from the fact that it’s a *conical* rib corset, creating a straight line from waist to bust edge, which is fine for regular corset wear but for comfortable tightlacing you need rib space, modern tightlacing corsets have a “cupped rib” or even pipe stem silhouettes where yes, surprisingly small at the waist but plenty of space everywhere other than the waist. MY RIBS FEEL BRUISED LOOKING AT HER. Also, if she didn’t lace the bust area so tightly it would’ve been an even more extreme silhouette
Probably because she had more filler and BBL types of work, so while the proportions were similar, her waist was actually way smaller this year cause her bust and hips are also smaller.
Look, I can't stand the Kardashian/Jenner clan, BUT this dress is beautiful, it does look like it's bowing at the waist (I've accidentally caused this myself with a longline corset) . My biggest issue with her outfit that night was the sweater. I looked ridiculous, and her posing was awful, it seemed out of place, etc. The dress looked WAY better without the sweater. I love to tight lace, always have since I'm squishy in the middle and have a natural hour glass shape.
The sweater is a part of the house’s aesthetic from their couture runway looks - so when it comes to it being in keeping with Maison margiela it does make sense, but I wish they would have just said that, instead of the weird party story? I don’t really like it either, but once I rewatched the MM show when looking for broll for this video, it clicked for me.
I have a few corsets, one I enjoy is a mid priced modern style short corset and the other is a replica sbend Edwardian corset and the two cannot be more different in how they shape the body. I collect Edwardian fashion and to prove a point to my husband on how corset styles change the body to fit different fashion eras I compared the two corsets underneath my Edwardian dresses. Some won’t close with the modern corset! The reduction at the waist is the same but the distribution of tissue is so different. It’s wild.
Those shoes though, id be breathless if i had to walk carrying a metal dress,tight corset and sky high shoes with no heels! Id be breathless from trying to keep balanced...like constantly walking on tiptoes
Actually that description of hiw the dress was made is important for the theme of MET Gala. The sweather is actually also on theme, which is so much more important then just taking one look at the outfit whether someone looks just nice in the dress.
Thank you for adding an educated and balanced take to the corset discourse. You made something really productive out of this silly situation. I've seen so many people sharing Victorian corset myths in regards to Kim, even claiming she's had ribs removed! I'm really tired of so-called feminists slut-shaming, body-shaming, and generally being shitty about Kim's outfit. Like misogyny is okay if it's a woman you don't like. It's not okay. But to be clear, Kim's entire career is based on ragebait. She wouldn't be a huge influencer if we didn't freak the fuck out every time she does something silly. We have been through this cycle over and over every time she "breaks the internet" and I'm bored of it.
I'm convinced that this year's exhbition theme is subtweeting Kim K and Ripley's for Marilyn's dress. In one of the vogue videos a curator mentioned that 'of course once it enters a museum a piece can no longer be worn'....👀👀👀 Just saying
This gave me flashbacks to a conversation I had with someone about corsets. She thought you were supposed to ALWAYS wear them tight-laced. I tried to explain to her that you need to train into tight-lacing (as in with the back completely closed). But she refuses to hear me or do any reaearch of her own. 🙄🤦🏼♀️
A teachable moment, without body shaming. Thank you. I really wish that it was common today to have an 'acceptable' silhouette that relied on padding out the areas that don't conform, and judging how the clothing is structured, instead of insisting that your actual body should be that shape. Padding and structured support can be added and removed as needed. Actual body modification to fit the fashionable shape while wearing skin-tight wrappings is unrealistic and unhealthy. Thank you for again pointing out the use of strategic padding in history.
I was waiting for you Abby and you bloody delivered! Yes, Kim completely ruined that vision for the sake of negative controversy. I don't think her priority (ever) is to model the designer's creative vision - she sees herself as the vision, then the clothes, hence she inevitably over tweaks everything she wears on red carpet events resulting in poor fit and lack of elegance. She made the decision to put herself in discomfort to match what she saw in her mind's eye. I think considering her red carpet history, headlines about her and how outrageous her body looks in the clothes is more important than the artistry of the garment. Which begs the question - wtf is she even invited when she doesn't respect art?
7:10 She personally admits the dress was falling off, which after watching this video really supports the theory that the designers did not intend the corset to be laced that tightly...
the respect Abby has for makers and artisans juxtaposed with her snark for 'the press': i LOVE it. Also the REAL understanding of Kim's insecurity combined with her business savvy is insightful. [LOVE all things Abby and hope the ever shrinking Abby is on purpose...stay fabulous-and healthy]
Yes! This made me believe perhaps it is a personal insecurity we notice. The more a person tries to cover or conceal their insecurity in any way, the more it becomes obvious to us. I became a huge fan of Mayim Bialik after hearing her say she never sees herself as pretty or beautiful, I can now ONLY see her as beautiful. It’s so odd. Justine Bateman, the most human forward person I’ve ever seen or heard, said, “When you speak your fears out loud they dissipate. They lose their power against us.” This is why therapy works and close friendships save our souls.
I tightlace occasionally and have another possible explanation for the stiffness and discomfort: bloat. Gas or water retention from indigestion, constipation, carbonated drinks (champagne, anyone?) or even the natural menstrual cycle can create counter-pressure which affects comfort and mobility in a corset, especially when tight-lacing. Tight-lacing over a tummy that wants to be distended is like corseting a beach ball. When the wearer's innards are being compressed by both the corset and an additional factor, extra pressure is put on the body to achieve a wearer's normal lacing. The stiff walk we see in this video typifies a corset-wearer who is experiencing significant pressure on their lower abdomen. One thing which tightlacers like myself have reported experiencing from over-tightening or wearing poorly fitting corsets is pain, tingling, numbness, and pressure through their hips and the tops of their thighs, making bending at the hip and lifting their legs uncomfortable. The awkwardness in the video could simply be from over-tightening, but because it seems like a significant difference in comfort level from the rehearsal video, bigger than I would expect from an incremental increase in tightness, and the signs of pressure on the pelvic region, I wouldn't rule out something like bloat as a contributing factor just pushing the corset from "tolerable" to "actively painful".
Abby, I’d like to suggest a video idea. Since you have such a nice collection of historical clothing, I thought the history of buttons would be a great topic to cover. The history behind the evolution of them is really cool, but finding them still on the clothing to be sure of the time period is so hard. I would really value your expertise on this because I collect buttons, I don’t have the finances to collect historical clothing so buttons are a much more affordable way to explore 18th and 19th century clothing. Sorry for the long comment and thank you if you read it ❤ i posted this on the last video, idk if i was too late for you to see it so I figured I’d try one more time. 🙂
Unrelated but Lana’s look was GORGEOUS. It fit the theme, it was artistic, it was elegant, so pretty. Her antlers and veil were literally everything. I saw it and fell instantly in love
Thank you for bringing up that tight lacing is subjective. I usually wear my corset pretty tight, because it makes me feel safe and like I'm wearing armour, but I can always breathe properly etc. 😅 but when others see it, they are always assuming that I'm tight lacing, even if I tell them I'm not. And when I try to tell them that wearing a corset is actually awesome, they look at it with the presumption that I'm tight lacing and go "He'll no, that's so uncomfortable, I could never do that " no matter what I say 😑 Oh and I one more thing: YOU HAVE TO LET US KNOW WHEN YOUR BOOK IS OUT!!!!😍😍😍
Thank you Birch Living for sponsoring! Click here birchliving.com/abbycox to get 25% off your Birch mattress (plus two free Eco-Rest pillows!) during their Memorial Day sale. Offers subject to change. #birchliving
Remember: No body shaming, no slut shaming, please and thank you. 🫶 ABOUT RIB REMOVAL AND THE SWEATER: Ok - while I never thought that I would have to address this as a serious question - *NO* I do not, at all, in any way shape or form, believe that Kim had her lower ribs removed. I know that there are doctors now a days who claim to be able to perform this surgery, but that is extremely dangerous, and if I'm being honest, I think they're full of crap. Kim was, obviously, tight laced, but I don't think her reduction was more than 6" - in fact I think it was probably closer to 4". (side note: I knew I should have left this part in the video...ah well). Kim's waist is between 24 and 26" uncorseted (Via Kardashian Kloset where you can spend an insane amount of money to buy their used clothes). If she reduced 4" that would give her a 20-22" waist - *which is very small* especially when you compare it to her hip size - which may or may not be padded for this particular look (like I mention in the video Maison Margiela did pad their models, so it is possible they added some padding to Kim. We simply don't know at this time.) Her waist size is emphasized by her larger hips. While a 4" reduction at the waist on larger bodies can be relatively easy (please scroll through comments to read some conversations about this - I also have videos where I talk about corset wearing on my body and tight lacing) - 4" on a smaller body, especially on a body that doesn't have a lot of fat on it, is more difficult, unless you are actively training your body as a form of body modification. TL;DR - No ribs were removed for this look. Please stop perpetuating this rumor, it's silly.
If you would like to learn more about someone during the early 1900s who had a waist smaller than Kim's check out my video about Polaire who was a famous actress, tight lacer, and frankly, would give Kim a run for her money when it comes to press stunts: ruclips.net/video/OcMuDAdaMtw/видео.html
*As for the sweater*: As mentioned in some comments - a worn sweater is a part of Maison Margiela's brand. Someone in the comments mentioned it being seen as early as 1997, but it was also on the couture runway this season - the one I've referenced in the video (and there's a link in the description). As I mentioned in the video - Kim's story is a bit silly, and doesn't seem to align with the house's original concept, but the sweater is representative of Maison Margiela. It's ok if you don't like it, but when you view it through the lens of the house's design history - it makes a lot more sense (at least it did for me lol). You can see the inspiration for Kim's look in this Instagram post (instagram.com/p/C247uKuCw5M/?img_index=1) from Maison Margiela. The pilled sweater, the exposed corset, the unzipped/half off gown that has become a skirt - this combination is seen a few times in the show. They adapted this to better fit the theme for the Met Gala.
What I'm wearing:
Shirt: en.voriagh.com/cosima-cotton-shift-top.html
Pants: www.madewell.com/the-harlow-wide-leg-pant-in-100-linen-NJ996.html?dwvar_NJ996_color=WR0379&cgid=apparel-pants-wideleg#intcmp='_visnav-2_wideleg&start=14
(links to clothes not sponsored, just available for those who are curious)
Corset: It's a hand-me-down from Nicole Rudolph (www.youtube.com/@NicoleRudolph). The style dates to the 1860s. 💖
Could someone with a latex allergy use this? Or should we stay away from it? 🤔
@@SocialBurrito3stay away from it. If you are allergic to latex or wool then you should avoid these mattresses.
Hello 👋🏾.
Can you tell me where you got that Necklace please?
Thank you😅
Have you ever done a corset video regarding pregnant women?? That would be interesting!
Have you ever checked Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sissi) ? She had a eating disorder and was obsessed with looking thin, so there s that, yet I think she was around 16” at the waist , but maybe I found wrong data, and was supposed to be so even after her pregnancies till her death.
i spend YEARS explaining that a properly fitted and worn corset is great, and then people do stuff like this...
YUP
That's the real fuck of it, and you have a right to be salty about it afaik
SAME
I too spend a significant amount of time re-educating people about corsetry. I have found that having a corset next to a modern orthopedic back brace and controll top girdle for them to examine and handle has really helped illustrate that corsets, when properly fitted and worn, are no better or worse than our modern choices.
Then someone like Kim Kardashian goes and does her thing and I know I will be starting all over again next season...sigh.
Same here.
I love how you pointed out that 40+ people successfully wore corsets that no one mentioned them, and how that echoes the historical minority of tight lacing and the notoriety of it.
THIS. SO. MUCH.
!!!
Well, Grande doesn't need a corset in any world. Not that KK needs one and she doesn't know how to wear it correctly. It looked painful, covered the lines of the gown, and she didn't walk gracefully. Otherwise, love the heel less heels.
@@irritatedkitty7301nobody needs a corset. It's shapewear, anyone can wear it and anyone can not ❤
I think it's time we all admitted that corseting and padding is what's happening on red carpets (more than most people think) rather than playing into people's body image issues by pretending it's just good dress fitting and their natural body.
This makes me think of a Dita Von Teese quote. She once said something along the lines of "you shouldn't have to wear undergarments when you're wearing couture" referring to how the vast majority of couture gowns will have some form of corsetry built in.
No, we should morally grand-stand and speculate about their subjective comfort levels and demonise them en masse for chosing not to consult us when deciding how to dress.
In general, I wish people embraced the idea that one's clothed body does not always look the same shape as one's unclothed body and it's okay. There are a lot of ways clothes can alter how one looks, whether by padding, squeezing waist through various means, or other optical illusions. But people assume that everything has to be form fitting, and it is creating all sorts of consequences, from body shaming and unhealthy desires to fit unrealistic ideals, to the ideas that altering the look of one's body with clothing is inherently bad and those who do it are oppressed by beauty standards and not making an aesthetic/ convenience choice.
Better to alter the appearance of the body with corsetry and padding to meet fashion or other requirements and can be changed as the fashion changes than modifying the body with potentially dangerous/fatal surgery that is often irreversible
I knew corsetry was an element, but stupidly, I had never considered that padding might be going on. It makes complete sense though.
To me… Kim being allowed to wear Marilyn’s dress is the equivalent of letting her wear Princess Diana’s wedding gown. Some dresses should NEVER be worn again and should only be kept in the most qualified conservation museums. Also with a team of highly qualified staff and scientists whose sole job is to keep the garment safe for all of time.
I agree completely. Especially when she styled it so poorly and didn’t even seem to practice walking in it beforehand. That awful sweater, the inelegant hairstyle, the terrible shoes, the painful looking corset and extremely awkward posing and walking…it just made it such a trashy ensemble. What a waste.
Wearing Marilyn’s dress also just didn’t make much sense from a style perspective. The iconic dress was specifically tailored to Marilyn’s body measurements and skin tone to look like it was basically painted on her body, so obviously it was going to look the best on her. It would have been a much better to pay homage to the original dress by wearing a replica dress that was tailored to Kim’s own measurements and skin tone. She honestly would have looked more like Marilyn if she had gone down that route than trying to wear Marilyn’s actual dress because it was clearly not made for her and didn’t look right.
Ripleys believe it or not did on purpose. I’m sure for the advertising of their place from her wearing it. Everyone knows now where they they can to go see the dress you look it up of where or which Ripleys believe it or not how is it on display. Ripley’s believe it or not also said that she did not destroy the dress or cause it any harm since they are the owners I believe them. What’s good though is we’ve had a really great conversation about conservation of different kinds of materials. There are a lot of positives that came out of the conversation and that’s a great thing.
@@molly-kl7piThe worst part is that she did have a replica that she wore for the rest of the event!
That adulteress Mar*lyn Monroe’s dress is NOT in *ANY* way, shape, or form able to compare to *Princess Diana* ‘s WEDDING DRESS. And mind you, I don’t like Diana, either.
I’m not going to body shame Kim, I’m going to shame her for the disservice she did to that gown and the designer who created it. It think she’s more concerned about making the corset meet than honoring the vision and wearing the outfit properly. She took what should have been an interesting and potentially provocative design that sparked conversation and turned it into “What the hell was she thinking?!”
As you said, her demand to be tight laced ended up ruining the lines of the garment. You pointed out others wearing the same designer and they looked stunning. Kim looked like a paramedic crew should have been waiting in the shadows for when she either passed out or fell and broke a bone. I can’t help but wonder if the designer saw her faltering all over the red carpet and thought, “That’s not how I told you to lace it! I made to fit you laced properly, not a ten inch waist contest! This makes me look like I don’t know how to make a high end garment!”
What gets my goat is that padding could have been added if she wanted a tight laced look. She needed to communicate that from the beginning.
@@obliviouscandybar I don't know much about fashion or corsets, but that sounds like it would've been a good idea. I bet padding could've made her waist look just as small without tight lacing to that extent. The corset was very long too, so they probably could've added padding to the hip and butt area. Too bad she didn't communicate the look she wanted ahead of time.
@@jessicacharlton7347, I’m not sure she would have communicated that. I think she’s just obsessed with “corset style garments must meet at the lacing”. She doesn’t pay attention to what the designers tell her. I think she only cares about “snatched waist”.
Her over-tightened waist-shape looks weird and asymmetrical. Ruined the look of the gown
@@empireofpeaches, absolutely.
For the life of me, I cannot understand how people are not sick of the Kardashians.
Kar-trashians 😅
kims about to be in a lot of trouble. look it up.
Who says we aren't?
@@MSAMSAMSAMSA There are enough people in the world that are interested in them buy their stuff, make them money and keep them relevant
Same. I've never in my life sought to purchase any of their products, watch their programs, etc., etc.
I came here for Abby Cox's commentary on corsets. I'm trying really hard to prepare for making one for the first time. I'm nervous, so I keep watching different RUclipsrs talk about corsets. lol
I think the sweater was used to hide the roll of flesh that can appear at the back and sides of a tightly laced corset. Some designers like Mystic City who are plus-size friendly compensate by raising the back quite high, but it probably wasn't done for a couture corset because it does not look as good.
Interesting theory! In my experience making corsets for clients, smaller people tend to be much more self conscious about a little bit of upper back squish. Most plus size clients I’ve worked with don’t care about it that much. I was that way when I was small too, and I think I was deeply terrified of “looking fat,” but now that I am actually fat, there’s nothing I can put on that will change that fact. It’s like, having a thin body is so valued in our culture that any indication that we might lose it, like a little bit of squish around the armpit, can feel like a disaster.
I have worn corsets before and immediately wondered if possible armpit bulges were why she was clutching that poor sweater so devotedly.
@@violetsnotroses3640when I was younger I felt that way too. Now Im much more confortable in my body and okay with my fluctuating weight
@@s4bombshell That or a boob slip caused by the tight lacing making the cups slip down too far XD
Oh you know
Hefty chunk of people in the public who hates corsets are people who 1) never worn one 2) worn an off the rack fashion corset once 3) generally think corsets always have to be tightlaced.
I quite often wear corsets to work (8-10 hours a day), and always explain to colleagues that "image corsets like shoes with laces. You only tighten your shoelace to be comfortable. But you can tighten it more if you feel like it, or loosen it if uncomfortable. Corsets are the same thing. You lace it however you want.
That seem to invoke some thinking, not just repeating the "corsets are gonna kill you" attitude that is ingrained in society.
This! Right here.
as someone who sold corsets and wore them... i always describe the big difference as "how much squish" a person has. two women with the exact same measurements... and one is solid muscle and dense tissue, you CANNOT reduce with corsetry comfortably. but people like me, or generally "squishy" can easily take the waist down inches without strain.
Kim doesnt have a lot of padding on her waist or ribs, and trying to tight lace a person with no squish will be even worse!
and yes she clearly cant walk because she cant move
That's kinda the same idea with bras, right? Like I'm squishy but also over endowed - I need a tighter band to provide support, all the weight is on my shoulders if the band is loose or loosely fitted (and I have the half inch ruts in my shoulders to prove it), but it's been so hit or miss when I've been measured (especially the 'add 3 inches' folks 🤨)
Yes, absolutely this! I also used to sell corsets, made by a very talented corsetier friend, and I was always excited to fit a new customer and see what their squish level was. I had a lot of 'first timers' who were just astonished by the sudden massive pull in on their waist, if they were squishy people.
I think it's to do with how someone's ribs lay, I feel like there's a hard line where someone's body just says 'no more squish' and there is nothing that will change that.
I used to ask customers if they wanted to really tighten up, just for the effect, and they usually did, so we had a fun few minutes going further than you normally would. Then they would get the wonderful 'release' feeling when I loosened it off again, and we'd stand there chatting a while with the properly fitted corset on. They realise just how darned comfortable it is, and I usually got a sale from it :D I kinda miss doing that business.
The thought of lacing tightly against the ribs with no squish made my eye twitch🥴
I’m very squishy and I actually make my corsets a size or two smaller than the patterns recommend and nearly always lace down tight because it’s MORE comfortable than a looser corset sliding around and up and down because the way my torso is shaped
Exactly!!!
When I ordered a pre-made corset online, the employee I emailed about sizing made sure to let me know that I’d probably experience some gaping at the ribs for some of the styles.
Bc even though I’ve got lots of squishability in the waist and hips, I have nearly nothing in the ribs!
Most ballet tutu bodices are heavily boned, some even lacing up like corsets, tutu's are heavy and often held up by tapes in them. and you need support. The fact that I and other dancers can pull off a full length ballet wearing those and not pass out, is evidence enough that a proplery worn corset will not harm you
If I were a designer, I would not want Kim to wear any of my things. She makes all the hard work that went into it look bad. That's not great advertising.
Yeah she really screwed over the designer by making their corset be perceived as unwearable. Designers would need a handler who could stand up to Kim which must be incredibly hard given her influence.
i mean she gets people talking the most though
@@gaj30 - But in such a bad, laugh behind her back way.
Probably why she's reluctant to cut ties with Demna of Balenciaga - she can't make them look worse.
@@feistyfluxy OMG, imagine someone being able to make Balenciaga's monstrosities look worse than they already are.
Something that I thought about while you were discussing the derogatory accounts of corsetry written by men in the 19th century was your video from a year or two ago, where you were speaking about how corsetry allows a person to keep their 'private body' to themselves. Traditionally, men have decried those fashion choices adopted by women that allow them less access to a woman's body--i.e., the huge crinolines of the mid-19th century, among other fashion trends. Thus it makes sense that some men would heavily criticize corsetry, as it obscures the perception of a woman's natural figure that they feel entitled to be able to see and judge for themselves.
Ooo, good points!
Wow! Ig the men never changed
Now the men have no problems because modern women believe in wearing as less as possible to show off their figure.
Men literally will just criticize everything women do. Cover up more and you’re a prude, take off layers and you’re “easy.” The patriarchy is a bih
Ugh that Pirates scene....ughhhhhhhhhhhhggggg
It's like physically painful to me. CORSETS DIDNT EXIST. TIGHTLACING DIDNT EXIST YET.
She'd have BEEN WEARING SOFT STAYS FOR DECADES ALREADY.
/gasps.
lol I could feel that frustrated build up from over here 🤣
And of course, the entire film depends on her fainting and falling into the water, despite EVERY OTHER WOMAN THERE wearing stays and NOT having any trouble at all. I have to skip that part if I rewatch that movie lmao
BUT she did say that its a new fashion trend from paris and that its too tight for her. Like yes, wouldnt have happened but they do acknowledge that Elizabeth swann would usually have worn more comfortable clothes
@@AbbyCox It's a funny throw away laugh line for anyone who doesn't know their fashion history. For those of us who do, then its a cringe worthy comment at best. & a full on frustrated screaming rant at the screen at worst.
@@astreaward6651 Her *CONSTANTLY* fainting is beyond anoying I agree! I live in rural Australia & I don't faint in the summer when wearing a corset. Not even when the mercury hits 40°C/102°F.
Kim's 'boyfriend sweater' would suggest her boyf is a English schoolboy and she grabbed his grey acrylic school cardigan. Not a great look
The dress rehearsal must have been a slap dash affair if she had to resort to that. The cardigan looked awful.
We still have yet to see what boyfriend 😂
😂😂😂
"Because I have a hard time believing that she wasn't farting up a storm going down that carpet" has to be my favorite quote about Kim's outfit.
Probably took that stuff you have to drink before a colonoscopy prior to the event. Otherwise... 🧨
Hyperventilation (the shallow breathing part of hyperventilation, anyway) causes 'that' problem. :/
she was probably on liquids for two days prior.
maybe that's why it seemed so painful for her to walk, she was trying not to crop dust 1000 celebrities all at once
What's the deal with farting up a storm.....sry never worn a corset....and this is the first video I've watched on corsets....cause I would have thought it would have been peeing up a storm....lol
Imagine wearing a gown that took so much work by so many people only to clutch a sweater over it the entire red carpet!
Really really sad.
"And now the final touch. Half of an angora rabbit wool sweater set from The Limited. It's from 1999 so it's vintage."
I just don't understand why she was grabbing the cardigan that way, constantly pulling at it
Was it to make different poses for photography?Does anyone have an explanation for me please?
@@morganniciomhair8284 I saw someone say somewhere that it might've been a way to comfort herself, to clutch onto something to help with the uncomfortableness 😅 buuut it's all speculation of course
If you don’t have the ego to wear the dress without the little cardigan security blanket, don’t wear the dress! That looked ridiculous! Those shoes were wild but of course you could not see them.
I find it extraordinary how often the importance of grace of movement is ignored. Any gown is rendered inherently pointless when movements are ugly and clumsy. It's why I think the majority of people should avoid strapless garments; they obliterate the possibility of elegance with constant tugging of the top. Reserve these kinds of garment for still photographs!
This. With so many of these Met Gala gowns, yeah, they look stunning in the pictures. But you see them awkwardly waddle along that carpet one time, and the whole thing takes a sharp turn towards the ridiculous.
The Japanese of years gone by would be horrified! For them grace of movement was everything.
Properly constructed strapless garments don't fall down. The issue is cheap dresses with no interior construction. A strapless or off the shoulder gown requires corseting inside, and a gros grain ribbon is sewn in at exactly the point of the natural waist (the smallest part) so that it can neither ride up nor slip down. They have to be custom made for one body, which is another reason why off the rack dresses will have issues.
Exactly.
hard agree
Besides the stumbling around on heel-less platformed shoes and wrangling the sweater, I noticed that she kept putting a hand at the left hip. I think she pulled the lace tighter routine again and ended up irritating the nerve bundle in her left hip. If you look at the clip of her being liced into Mr. Pearls corset she literally says "I feel like we can go tighter." Now that corset was made to go under a very specific gown and would ruin the effect they were going for and yet she still wants them to go tighter. I think she pulled the same thing this year and they laced her down too tight. So she stumbled around and kept putting her left hand at the back of her rear end as if she was trying to release the tension or pain in that hip.
She’s like this is such a creative and necessary solution for her shoes as if wedges haven’t existed for so long. It’s all about the spectacle for her
Kim very clearly prioritizes image and discourse over her own comfort, which is her choice, but both with this one and the Marilyn dress fiasco she bit off more than she could chew. She got the views and attention she wanted but she didn't look good and looked outright uncomfortable
i think it's high time the world collectively began ignoring things that Kim Kardashian does. yknow, for the good of society
I've been saying that for YEARS!
Btw I did say that the Met Gala should invite you and other Dress History RUclips creators. Y’all know how to party, look fabulous and raise awareness about fashion preservation and other matters.
Oh it would be fantastic! Plus we'd probably see exactly how everything was made. Plus there are regular sewists who have made amazing things for the gala but which were not on the carpet on the night: one person did a big flowy gown using sun-reactive dyes and flowers
@@sarahwatts7152I think I know the sun reactive dye dress, if it is the dress I’m thinking of it was made by Gunnar Deatherage. It’s a beautiful gown! I wouldn’t call him a ‘regular sewist’ tho, he is a designer in his own right. He was on Project Runway in seasons 9&10, tho now his brand sells patterns instead of garments for the most part (as far as I know) he still makes his living in the fashion world as a designer.
Only Bernadette would get invited, she’s the thinnest.
The tickets are insanely expensive, I don't think it'd be worth it for them.
@@mixxuie Aw that's awesome! I suppose by "regular" I meant non historical
I’m so glad you mentioned the “farting” problem 😂 people just forget the odd things involved in tight lacing, I always wondered how they go to the bathroom when in those garments. 😂
I thought it’d be easier to go to the bathroom in those things
Kim was walking as though she needed to go to the bathroom, but had to keep it in.
Personally I think her obvious discomfort was a combination of things. And contrary to most I don’t think the lacing was the major factor. I think it was the juggling of the awkward heeless shoes, the metal skirt, and making sure the sweater covered her so there wasn’t a nip slip that made her look so uncomfortable. She looked like she was dealing with too many variables at once and was simply overwhelmed. But that’s just my opinion.
There was more than one outfit in the most recent (viral) MM show that was paired with a well worn cardigan. The models were doing the MM walk.
I think that inspired her but again…. It came off awkward with awkward movements while walking.
I was about to say the same thing. That metal skirt must have been hell to wear without doing some damage to her legs. I remember wearing high platform shoes and boots in the 1970's and they made it very difficult to walk normally. Those shoes without heels completely throw off the centre of balance.
@@susanpilling8849 I love most platforms with chunky heels but I’ve had foot surgeries and cannot do standard heels. Platforms (within reason) and kitten heels - yes.
I could not imagine wearing those shoes. You would spend all of your time focusing on not falling over. Baby steps on tiptoes the whole time.
You know they had to slide around a bit too.
I also think the cardigan was probably to protect her skin from the metal. Sequin dresses leave me with scratches and rashes under my arms, I can only imagine that metal would be much more painful
@@BrigidNouveau only the skirt was metal
Imagine how infuriated the designers were, seeing not only how she chose to wear it but also that she chose to COVER THE TOP OF THE GARMENT.
She said the dress was "falling off her" and she just grabbed her boyfriend's sweater, which I think is further proof that she wasn't wearing it as intended. It was fitted especially for her and pulling it too tight probably changed the way the top fit making her feel too exposed. I'm sure the designer wouldn't have made it that way, she did something that made it not fit correctly because that designer clearly would have made sure it fit right and looked right. What a shame she didn't wear it as intended.
John Galiano (the designer) literally dressed her including the cardigan, it was in the runway show
The cardigan is part of the dress lmfao
@@juhjonny They know the fashion trends of the 1890s. Not the 1990s.
Whyyyyy do people INSIST on improperly wearing corsets?!
Because clicks
Because now people think plastic boned fashion tops are corsets, belts are corsets, those weird latex training things are corsets…if you get a real custom made corset from a good maker…it is a totally different thing.
Vanity & Stupidity in equal measures.
They don't know what they're doing. It's a lack of not being taught how to properly put it on because in the last century we decided to ditch them. I think that was a huge mistake because they promoted good posture and gave proper support, better support than a bra does.
Narcissist want to be center of atention and do it differently
And push boundaries
I seriously needed to take a deep breath every time Kim in the corset was shown in this video. She literally gave me second-hand discomfort
Same, MY waist hurts looking at that
that spring (space) is what gives you any flex. when your corset closes completely its time to get a different size.
I don’t think she knows this and I don’t think the dressers were able to successfully explain this to her 🥲
@@AbbyCox
Probably Beau’s she didn’t want to hear it. She’s lucky she didn’t faint at some point, like the stairs.
I wish that someone had told me that when I first started buying corsets (all of which I still have). I assumed that they were supposed to meet in the back, and got depressed if they didn't. Now I need to go and try them all on again and work out which ones are actually too big. :)
I wonder if at any point when wearing that she thought "maybe this was a bad idea." Because of how uncomfortable she looked.
Thank you for explaining that! I was wondering why there was a space during the video.
@@AbbyCox Doesn't the wider space at the waist mean that the corset is "looser" there than at the bust and hip relative the intended proportions of the corset? Does it not follow that the corset was relatively overtightened at the bust where the lacing had no space? I am thinking that Galiano's intent was discomfort (look at those shoes!) for the attention it would bring
I don't really care if she tight laced or not. It was the sweater, it brought the entire look down and if I was the designer I don't think I would ever work with her again.
The sweater is classic Maison Margiela, lmao.
The sweater was styled as part of the outfit by John Galiano, he was in the video in her suite while she was getting ready for the event. So I don’t think he’d stop working with her because she wore exactly what he gave her.
Thank you for showing pictures of the many other ladies who were wearing corsets. I liked best the women who were on the bigger side, like me. They looked fabulous in their corsets, especially as they showed off their gorgeous curves while still looking, is the term "natural" or "in proportion"? I guess that's what's jarring about Kim's look. She looks SO uncomfortable, and just out of proportion.
I honestly think that's why Kim's corset got the most attention, she just looked so awkward. Her waist is laced down so tightly, and her hips & rear are so padded (& surgically enhanced) that the overall effect becomes a bit uncanny. With the other ladies dresses, the corsets where a part of the whole look, so people didn't say "look at that corset" they said "look how good she looks".
I was about 15 minutes into this video and asked myself "why the hell am i watching this? I couldn't possibly care less about Kim, or who ever, or this dress event full of people i do not know. Ill go back to watching warhammer mini painting tutorials."
But honestly. After finishing the video. Im now a wiser man :)
This now made me think about the fashion in warhammer 40k 😂 I wonder what fabrics they use
@@emryscaster7332 the skins of their enemies
I feel like Kim is doing damage to Maison Margiella as a brand, because my first thought was that it was a badly fitted corset (like how actors talk about the corsets they are forced to wear). Which kinda surprised me, considering she can afford custom corsets without even having to think about the cost.
Sure. The antisemitism of the designer sure isn't a big deal but Kim is. Sure.
@@justinwilliams7290 I don't know anything about the designer besides Kim K wearing them during the Met Gala. If they are antisemitic that is ofc a HUGE problem, but just like I don't know anything about them more than what I've seen in this video, I assume lots of people who aren't that interested in fashion houses are as ignorant as I am in this area.
She is like brand suicide margiella must be desperate for any attention like her
@@justinwilliams7290 You just gonna drop that without a source or any context?
@@notatallfunctional google it. its why he left Dior to begin with
It would be cool to have heels where the heels themselves curved under/forwards and connected to the rest of the shoe in a way that flexed and didn't impede the gait. I'd be terrified to wear Kim's shoes in case I leaned a bit too far back and overbalanced, especially if my outfit made it hard to move!
I watched HauteLeMode's Met Gala fashion breakdowns, and when he covered Kim's look all I could think was "Damn! Girl looks uncomfortable!"
yeah it takes *a lot* for me to have a strong reaction to someone in corsetry...especially in a way that is "negative" (for lack of a better term) but she did it. oof. She just looked so incredibly uncomfortable that it detracted from the overall look...like the corset and skirt are incredible (even if I still don't understand what they were saying on the IG post lol) but they're overpowered by her mouth breathing, unsteadiness, and constant look of pain on her face.
She likes it
@@AbbyCox If I were a designer, I would not want Kim to wear any of my things. She makes all the hard work that went into it look bad. That's not great advertising.
@@AbbyCoxI don’t think it was all the corset.
The Vogue video showed (my battery is getting low and going rogue) her getting dressed, in the corset Galliano made for her (and as mentioned he and the MM team are well aware that there needs to be a period of breaking it in).
The Maison Margelia (autocorrect) team laced her up on the Vogue video and she was having no issues then.
The skirt made out of metal lace caused some other complications.
She could not wear heels of any type because they kept getting stuck in the metal lace.
They made a pair of giant platforms without heels. She had to walk and balance on her tiptoes. Many people were attributing all of her movement issues with the corset without knowing about the shoes.
@@OfficialROZWBRAZEL That rules out more shape wear.
Not much is my honest guess.
My 9 year old and i had a conversation about corsets and tightlacing. I told her that you should be able to breathe easily and move relatively freely. If you feel faint, it's too tight. I told her I'll show her how to wear one properly when we go to the Ren fair in a few weeks.
SIDE NOTE! SHE IS NOT THE ONE WEARING THE CORSET! She was watching a doctor go on about how corsets are terrible for your health and I was clarifying for her that regular tightlacing can be really bad for you, but a properly laced corset is fine.
So many women at the Met have to have assistants help them up straits because of their trains and/or shoes…the old school status that you are so rich, you can wear unfunctioning fashion. :)
ikr! the literal dissonance between them and the rest of the world feels dystopian, or at the very least deeply uncanny. It's giving Capitol in a world of Hunger Games.
IKR? Idk why so many people love watching and obsessing over the Met Gala. Feels so out of touch and privileged to a bizarre degree.
@@Rosa-kd2clAnd many of the looks nowadays are just plain ugly. I just cant be bothered.
I have learned things today! I have three pretty decent corsets and a few costume-y ones. I’ve worn them on stage to do musicals like Jekyll and Hyde and Sweeney Todd. We thought the corset should meet in the back. We made it a regular thing to start wearing them while still learning choreography, so we’d be able to breathe and move when tight laced during the show run. Now, I did play ladies of the night and pushed my bosom further than I needed to, just for fun. But I guess my point is… I know corsets don’t have to be uncomfortable and that they must fit right for that to be true. I even wore one at work for a few weeks after a spinal injury because of how supportive it was. But I didn’t know! I didn’t know the key was to make sure it fits *without* tight lacing! I’m so excited. Thank you for everything. Love the video, holy heck. 🫶🏻🖤
I feel like the theme of this year's Met Gala was wear something so impractical you cannot function like a normal human being. I know it's high fashion, but if you cannot walk the red carpet in your red carpet dress, something has gone terribly wrong with the design process.
Literally Capitol fashion in a world of Hunger Games.
Is that not EVERY Met Gala?
The wealthy showing off their status made by high end designers with no functionality or purpose other than to show off the ability of high end designers to create often ugly pieces. Yes there are many beautiful pieces made for beautiful people but are still never to be worn again or be functional.
The saddest part is that if they actually followed the theme it wouldn’t be… rather than sand dress or [insert garden motiff] they should have followed what the exhibition is actually about: garments so old and fragile that they need to be lying down so be exposed cause otherwise they would fall apart - worn out and tattered fabrics, delicate laces, pulled out embroidery, THAT was the theme!
When my husband and I watch any show or movies have women wearing corsets in them, he loves to mess with me by saying “oh god, it’s another one of those killer corsets! Thank goodness they were outlawed, the body count needs to end!” 😡😂 He has heard my frustrated, impassioned rant on corsets being used incorrectly in Hollywood/pop culture for *years* 😂
Tight lacing too tight can be a personal fetish too. It definitely is boning at the bottom.
💯💯💯
Kim like to be center of atention and she wil
So anything for it
And including the corset
Absolutely! I would say she has a thing for it. Shes always squishing into something. And the girl can squish. Shes made for it. 😊
@@tishie42Speaking as someone who has a long waist, squishing is our superpower. I don't have Kim's other proportions, but at least I've got something!
@@tishie42no she's not. She's very slim & dense - all bone with added hip and ass padding courtesy of Mr Hollywood surgeon, which isn't in squish region😮.
One thing i noticed regarding Kim is how flushed and uncomfortable she looks, and it concerns me that she'd decided to tight-lace to her detriment and the fashion house, like, she could have worn it with padding in a way that would have really accentuated her curves and made it outlandish but still making it comfortable to wear for the evening. I'm more concerned the ambulance would be called in 3hrs!!
Also, those shoes are known as hoof shoes, generally they're a balance unto themselves and with the weighted skirt i'm REALLY surprised she stayed upright!
If I were on the team that labored over the artwork that is Kim's 2024 Gala dress, I'd be beside myself that Kim and her dressers so shifted the fit of the garment as to require Kim to grab a random ass sweater to wrap around herself to keep covered. A garment at that event is meant to be appreciated in its entierty as a head to toe look. It was like commissioning a painting and then draping a corner of it in burlap.
The random ass sweater was part of the look as seen on the most recent runway.
absolutely. such disrespect.
@justinwilliams7290 she made the sweater awkward AF. I think if she had worn the dress as it was designed to work, she could have made the sweater work effortlessly.
that lil sweater was also in the add prior to the met
I saw her as "fasinating" bc she looked so uncomfortable and that cardigan was an eyesore.
Speaking of modern applications, I wear an off-the-rack corset when I do cardio because I can just throw it over my pajamas and it keeps all of the jiggly bits in place and is easier to get in and out off compared to wet spandex clothing
I've broken my ribs a couple of times, and resorted to wearing one of my corsets that fitted snuggly but not tightly around the affected areas and it took the pain away completely! A good corset is fantastic for all occasions, including keeping jiggly bits in place!
omg I should try that! There's not a single sports bra I've tried that fits properly and keeps the girls in check
Who votes we bring back short stays🙋🏼♀️
Brilliant idea! I've been attempting something similar with homemade corset attempts bcause storebought won't work for brick-with-boobs body shape (at least none I've tried) , so far the most comfortable has been the support vest based on my princess seam bodice block. Which I suppose is really all a corset is, at base.
I'm not willing to judge Kim K for this. If she was willing to suffer to get the look she wanted, hey, it's her body. She can do with it what she likes. Is she being a bad role model to women? Nah. She's a spectacle. People get that. I'm much more interested in the skirt. It is stunning, and as someone who does basic wire working, I can tell you the work is beyond amazing!! Let's focus on the highly skilled craftspeople who made that skirt instead of on how tight Kim K chose to wear her corset.
I think hugh's podcast episode would be called "bears in corsets, how women don't understand risk."
Why they didn’t opt for a wedge heel instead of no heel is a little weird. The shoe was made of clear resin anyway and under that skirt, it would have been close to impossible to tell what the shoes looked like. Balancing on those types of shoes is a lot harder because the weight is shifted more towards the toes. Add to that a probably quite heavy skirt and the whole no breathing tight lacing BS and it’s a recipe for disaster.
Also can people please for the love of all that’s sacred stop overdoing things that could lead to potential injury. It doesn’t even look visually appealing, so let’s just stop with the auto asphyxiation and wear the corset in a way that still allows the wearer to function normally.
She looked like one of her lungs was about to pop out of her eye socket.
💀
There’s a visual!
Hilarious 😂
You'd be surprised at how soft and moldable human giblets really are.
@@peggedyourdad9560 Yep, people are squishy.
i get that doing weird stuff at the met gala is her actual job but that just looked incredibly painful.
I have so many questions that can have no answers really. this video is so good, great job explaining it all!
Not meanness, just facts: She looked creepy and bizarre, uncanny valley from head to toe.
I agree. I’d also add vulgar and cheap to your list.
she looks like the fisical manifestation of disconfort.
Definitely uncanny valley
She looks like that all the time tho.
There was something about the mouth being open, like she was a dying dog panting and struggling to lurch around in those heels where I felt sympathy for the first time like, "Something is not mentally right with her to go through that just for media attention..."
i wore a corset last night as a warmth and support layer to a dinner dance last night. i wore it because i'm just getting over an autoimmune flare-up that's left me a little...um...diluted-feeling...? i can't even begin to describe how much more comfortable and confident i felt having that extra warmth and support--it was like a lovely warm hug underneath my pretty dress. and yes--it's may, and yes--i'm in the mid-atlantic region of the u.s., and yes---i've been feeling so not-well lately that mid-60s felt positively chilly to me, and, despite a heavy raincoat, i was shivering through and through walking back to my car. and it really helped my posture, which was also a win.
"My dress was falling apart, so I just grabbed my boyfriend's sweater"
Kim has a history of DESTROYING dresses!
Why did ANYONE think tight lacing her into something she couldn't even sit down in the car to get to the gala in was ever a good idea?
Also breathing in a corset should NEVER be an issue if one knows how to breath from one's diaphragm!
I wore a corset for 8yrs, 9weekends a year, for 11hrs a day. Yes, I was in a Renaissance Faire.
TBF: The original corset I wore was NOT an Elizabethan corset. It was a Victorian styled corset and was meant to be tight laced. It was also made for someone else, so the hips didn't fit me properly at all!
Even so, I NEVER once had any issues breathing, tight laced or not. I instinctively knew to breath from my diaphragm. I also had a reputation of having a VERY Loud Outdoor voice! I was someone our voice coach used as an example. So, Kim's tight lacing was 1) Done wrong 2) She doesn't know how to breath properly at all!~
I needed an emergency solution for back pain from standing up at work a couple of years ago so I whipped out my (quite expensive) high-school victorian-style gothic corset hoping that thight lacing that would help me support my back for a few hours.
I am more fleshy now so it was already thighter than a decade before and I squeezed myself very well in it.
STILL I DID NOT HAD ANY TROUBLE BREATHING, TALKING OR MOVING AROUND!
Disclaimer: I do not recommend this as a solution for back pain but, as I said, it was an emergency and it was helpful
Breathe. With an e.
@@essimathews9056 Really? THAT's what you focused on? Not the content of the message but a typo?
Tsk tsk tsk
Well it is rather distracting.
@Basilissa_Sunight I wear the when my back pain is really bad. Fits better and is more supportive, comfortable, and discreet than any of the $400 back braces the Dr's made me buy
Videos that explain typical corsetry, like this one, inspired me to try corsets. they are so comfortable and tape a lot of strain off my neck and shoulders. Just took a bit to get my body used to them. I wore it under my clothes to work down the first time last week and didnt leave with a headache for once
I have a 40 inch waist that can easily be laced to a 32. More if I tight lace…but the whole time I am comfortable. Corsets should be comfortable if it is custom made.
Exactly. Everything should fit perfectly when done by a professional seamstress.
We need a full Met Gala review from you! This was by far the best video commentary on the Met Gala i've watched this year. Amazing video!
‘SARTORIAL TOMFOOLERY’ aka what my mother says when I say “I don’t have anything to wear”.
Love hearing you talk about corsetry! Your academic studies are much appreciated. ❤
It’s a shame, really, that Kim’s tight lacing stole all the thunder from the new method used to create her gown’s lace. We were all too busy being slightly horrified at how uncomfortable she seemed and confused by her death grip on that sweater.
And I do chuckle that celebs bother wearing bizarre shoes that we can’t really see anyway…
As a reenactor and historical interpreter, I get constant remarks about my corset. When I stand up, run around, do household (19th century) chores, people are amazed that I'm not dead. I had one lady actually try to tell me off and call me an undeducated, vain person. *excuse me* (this was my response.) I wear a corset every day for back and bust support. I make my own corsets. I fit them to my waist and pad out everything else. I'm perfectly able to eat, breathe and move in them. AND...the corsets i wear are whale boned (synthetic) and moulded to my body so they don't squeeze everywhere the way that modern elasticated girdles do (which the lady was clearly wearing under her skin tight leggings and top.) Then I played some running games with children and she walked off in a huff. 😂
The other visitors that day all got a lovely demonstration of how corsets are made, worn and lived in.
I would love to do that but my sewing skills are awful these days, I need an easy front closure for honking big girls and short waisted. The idea of a corset to help out that is a dream.
I find my historical corsets more comfortable than my modern bras!
As i said to my mom when bitching about this look, "if you are that uncomfortable, can't move properly, and can't breathe in a corset, you're doing something wrong." You've gone to tight, you've not trained enough, or the coset is the wrong shape for your body. Or all of the above. I personally love the 'extreme' look of a very small waist. I can go quiet tight comfortably if I've been training, and even when I haven't, I can still lace almost as tight comfortably for short periods of time. I also never have problems breathing, I choose corsets with a cupped rib shape so they don't compress my ribs. I already have a small rib cage, pectus excavatum, and kinda shit lug capacity because of all that, I don't need to try and make my rib cage any smaller.
I said to my mom and some friends that the same women who wore those most outlandishly uncomfortable getup for the gala would be the first to whine while putting corsets on for a period film.
My biggest pet peeve for anything remotely historical or fantasy-themed is the people who are ignorant of how corsets work and what style fits the costumes.
Like, why would you make actresses of a Regency-themed show wear Victorian-styled corsets instead of short-stays????
It's interesting how a 1/2 inch could make so much difference in her ability to breathe and move! Would the dress look significantly different if she wore the corset how it was intended to be worn? I imagine she would still look tight laced even with a 1 inch gap.
I find it unfortunate that she perpetuates the misconceptions about corsets. Thank goodness your videos provide education and thoughtful insights.
I keep thinking about Bernadette Banner making her corset. It's all in how it's made. Her corset gave the shape and the support she needed, and she didn't have to tight lace. She couldn't have anyway because of her back.
As someone who occasionally wears modern corsets, I immediately thought her corset isn't well-designed for getting the smallest waist effect. It needs to be cupped around the ribs so she can breathe! The narrow part should be very short, the classic "wasp waist" silhouette. That way you can get the smallest possible waist effect. I'm a mid-size (10-12ish) and I can comfortably do 4-6" reduction in a modern corset that's well-fitted. Most off the rack corsets if you're looking at a price point of $100-250 are not designed for serious reduction or for people who already have a small waist compared to their underbust. I don't understand why some of these outfits don't use the proper techniques that they show in the runway shows you showed, or even what modern corset designers like Dark Garden use without padding to still create a dramatic silhouette.
Yay! You're writing a book on corsetry! Will definitely read, I just wish I could have cited it last year for my research project. My topic (much to my teachers' confoundment hilariously) was, 'What are some common misconceptions about 18th and 19th century stays and corsets. What is the truth?'
Omg yeah her weird walk like a newborn calf was the first thing I noticed.
I thought it was the her tall shoes and tight, heavy dress length.....?
The skirt is probably very heavy, so I would wager is a terrible mix of all three. Limited mobility from a too long and too tight corset, insane shoes that require a lot of balance and strength, and also a heavy skirt.
@@AbbyCoxtight corset down to the hips, long narrow hobble skirt, doesn't it remind you of anything?
On top of all that, crazy shoes
She looks stunned
They should have made the shoes like renaissance chopines. Could have been a modern interpretation of those.
@@johannageisel5390 yes I love chopines and I thought that too. Mediaeval ladies employed two young men to hold her up on either side when the shoes reached very magnificent heights. Kim could have gone for that and probably got away with it. I mean, she really looked like she could do with some help, I thought she just looked kind of checked out and stunned, as if she had been slapped with a wet fish while being a zombie. And I don’t mean this to be hateful, it’s just how she looked to me. Have you ever been high and your parents decide to visit? Yeah, that.
A primary difference between antique and contemporary corsets, perhaps explaining the narrowing of the gap, is that antique corsets were considered an undergarment which gave structure to a dress, not outwardly worn as a design element.
IMHO, Kim’s dress was also too long to be worn safely, and prevented normal ambulation.
I also hope she was wearing support hose, as venous return flow can be somewhat impaired with that much restriction.😉
I confess, I'm mid 50s, with arthritis, and I have a pair of boots that are sky high like those shoes and without a heel, and they are the most comfortable damn things I've ever worn! Not having the heel means you can surrupticiously rock back and change the angle of your foot, so never get stuck in the awful high heel position. They're great. They're actually not difficult to balance on either! It's a very weird thing, and I love them for the 'shock factor' without the usual discomfort! :D
That’s FASCINATING! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve always been curious about this type of shoe!
😮I'm so surprised! When Gaga used to wear hoof shoes like 10-15 years ago, she always had men supporting her on either side, like a Japanese oiran of old.
@@magdlynstrouble2036 I highly doubt that’s universal.
@@magdlynstrouble2036 I’ve seen some ballet dancers describe them as “hell”.
I’ve had 2 foot surgeries (the first as I was getting ready to start pointe in ballet) I cannot do standard heels anymore. Platforms with chunky heels and kitten heels… okay.
Regular heels puts too much pressure on the ball of my foot.
This is an incredibly uncomfortable part of wearing heels for many women, surgery or not.
I cannot imagine the pain I would feel from all the pressure being on the ball of my foot, and no support whatsoever for my heels, while walking on my tiptoes.
No thank you.
The dress was STUNNING. it's a shame that the too tight laced corset overshadowed the rest...minus the sweater/shrug thing. While I get the inspiration behind it, it looked cheap (especially considering that they used antique fabric) and I think they could have done the idea differently.
THANK YOU for the reassurance about just that tiny little difference making a HUGE practical difference. I sing in corsets and for the first time last week, actually laced SLIGHTLY tighter than usual to fit into a dress I'd planned on wearing for the gig. Result: I couldn't finish the three-course dinner that was part of the evening. I felt like a failure! All because of one tiny inch!
23:20 perfect example of the ridiculous...the headpiece that whacks into anyone standing within a meter, the corset...the circus is in town...
Abby : Not again.
Us : Yep, sigh again.
I really didn't notice Kim's corset's lacing until this video. For me, it was the sweater, half on, half off. The fabric clashed with the skirt and corset, as if it was a last minute idea. A bolero or caplet made from the same fabric of the skirt would have looked more put together. I'm a Renaissance Faire goer, and have lots of corsets, and I love the back support it gives.
The way I thought of you IMMEDIATELY after I saw her look live, I out-loud said "Kimberly no" like genuinely concerned for her I was gooped and gagged with this look, but I knew i just needed to be patient for my favorite fashion historian to explain it for me
This is so interesting especially talking about how tightlacing is different for everyone bc ive laced down ~5 in before and i could still breathe and literally run around and eat and do basically everything perfectly fine but thats bc im squishy!
On the bright side, Kim seems to have given us a pretty good representation of what tight lacing looks like and does to one's body. I really think that corset would have looked absolutely amazing if worn the way it was originally intended, which I kind of feel sad for those that worked hard on creating it
Thanks for making me discover an important difference between normal corset and tight-laced ones. Now I feel like I have been lied about that my whole life.
I still remember when she wore the mr pearl wet look corset costume so I was so surprised when everyone was freaking out when it looked to be the same proportions as that outfit
I regularly tightlace because I like the feeling and mentally it feels “nice” having something physically hold me together when all my brain wants to do is fall apart so to speak. So that may blur my view on the subject but..
The most uncomfortable looking part of this outfit looks like those metal/mirror pieces woven in the skirt that would cut up her behind if she sat down, they looked. Sharp, also she likely couldn’t sit down with that hobble skirt of death
The fact it looks uncomfortable from the fact that it’s a *conical* rib corset, creating a straight line from waist to bust edge, which is fine for regular corset wear but for comfortable tightlacing you need rib space, modern tightlacing corsets have a “cupped rib” or even pipe stem silhouettes where yes, surprisingly small at the waist but plenty of space everywhere other than the waist. MY RIBS FEEL BRUISED LOOKING AT HER. Also, if she didn’t lace the bust area so tightly it would’ve been an even more extreme silhouette
Probably because she had more filler and BBL types of work, so while the proportions were similar, her waist was actually way smaller this year cause her bust and hips are also smaller.
She's also wearing heel-less platform shoes which meant she was essentially walking on her tiptoes for the entire event, adding to that weird walk.
Look, I can't stand the Kardashian/Jenner clan, BUT this dress is beautiful, it does look like it's bowing at the waist (I've accidentally caused this myself with a longline corset) . My biggest issue with her outfit that night was the sweater. I looked ridiculous, and her posing was awful, it seemed out of place, etc. The dress looked WAY better without the sweater.
I love to tight lace, always have since I'm squishy in the middle and have a natural hour glass shape.
The sweater is a part of the house’s aesthetic from their couture runway looks - so when it comes to it being in keeping with Maison margiela it does make sense, but I wish they would have just said that, instead of the weird party story? I don’t really like it either, but once I rewatched the MM show when looking for broll for this video, it clicked for me.
I have a few corsets, one I enjoy is a mid priced modern style short corset and the other is a replica sbend Edwardian corset and the two cannot be more different in how they shape the body. I collect Edwardian fashion and to prove a point to my husband on how corset styles change the body to fit different fashion eras I compared the two corsets underneath my Edwardian dresses. Some won’t close with the modern corset! The reduction at the waist is the same but the distribution of tissue is so different. It’s wild.
what's funny is... because she's tight laced so many times over the years i didn't even notice ! like no one really cared lol
Oh man idk what side of twitter you are on but the commentary I saw was pretty hilarious
@@AbbyCoxI didn’t notice at all because I’m not on twitter or instagram or TikTok lol ❤
Those shoes though, id be breathless if i had to walk carrying a metal dress,tight corset and sky high shoes with no heels! Id be breathless from trying to keep balanced...like constantly walking on tiptoes
The one thing I can say is that Kim looked like she was experiencing the worst period pain ever.
😂
1:18
playing the victim is hard work.
She looked like she was fighting the worst pins and needles on her legs and was freezing fresh out of the rain
Actually that description of hiw the dress was made is important for the theme of MET Gala. The sweather is actually also on theme, which is so much more important then just taking one look at the outfit whether someone looks just nice in the dress.
Thank you for adding an educated and balanced take to the corset discourse. You made something really productive out of this silly situation. I've seen so many people sharing Victorian corset myths in regards to Kim, even claiming she's had ribs removed!
I'm really tired of so-called feminists slut-shaming, body-shaming, and generally being shitty about Kim's outfit. Like misogyny is okay if it's a woman you don't like. It's not okay. But to be clear, Kim's entire career is based on ragebait. She wouldn't be a huge influencer if we didn't freak the fuck out every time she does something silly. We have been through this cycle over and over every time she "breaks the internet" and I'm bored of it.
It’s called “toxic femininity” and it’s getting worse, not better. It’s a shame how women destroy other women.
I'm convinced that this year's exhbition theme is subtweeting Kim K and Ripley's for Marilyn's dress.
In one of the vogue videos a curator mentioned that 'of course once it enters a museum a piece can no longer be worn'....👀👀👀
Just saying
I was just not that invested this met gala but I was happy that Sabyasachi and his embroidery were having a moment.
Alia Bhatt took my breath away!
Alia’s saree was absolutely beautiful! Loved it! ❤
That’s my favorite one! So pretty!
This gave me flashbacks to a conversation I had with someone about corsets. She thought you were supposed to ALWAYS wear them tight-laced. I tried to explain to her that you need to train into tight-lacing (as in with the back completely closed). But she refuses to hear me or do any reaearch of her own. 🙄🤦🏼♀️
A teachable moment, without body shaming. Thank you. I really wish that it was common today to have an 'acceptable' silhouette that relied on padding out the areas that don't conform, and judging how the clothing is structured, instead of insisting that your actual body should be that shape. Padding and structured support can be added and removed as needed. Actual body modification to fit the fashionable shape while wearing skin-tight wrappings is unrealistic and unhealthy. Thank you for again pointing out the use of strategic padding in history.
The tight lacing - I get it, I wasn't shocked and it doesn't bother me at all. She wanted to be the most snatched and that's fine. BUT THAT SWEATER 😢
I was waiting for you Abby and you bloody delivered! Yes, Kim completely ruined that vision for the sake of negative controversy. I don't think her priority (ever) is to model the designer's creative vision - she sees herself as the vision, then the clothes, hence she inevitably over tweaks everything she wears on red carpet events resulting in poor fit and lack of elegance. She made the decision to put herself in discomfort to match what she saw in her mind's eye. I think considering her red carpet history, headlines about her and how outrageous her body looks in the clothes is more important than the artistry of the garment. Which begs the question - wtf is she even invited when she doesn't respect art?
7:10 She personally admits the dress was falling off, which after watching this video really supports the theory that the designers did not intend the corset to be laced that tightly...
the respect Abby has for makers and artisans juxtaposed with her snark for 'the press': i LOVE it. Also the REAL understanding of Kim's insecurity combined with her business savvy is insightful.
[LOVE all things Abby and hope the ever shrinking Abby is on purpose...stay fabulous-and healthy]
Yes! This made me believe perhaps it is a personal insecurity we notice. The more a person tries to cover or conceal their insecurity in any way, the more it becomes obvious to us.
I became a huge fan of Mayim Bialik after hearing her say she never sees herself as pretty or beautiful, I can now ONLY see her as beautiful. It’s so odd.
Justine Bateman, the most human forward person I’ve ever seen or heard, said, “When you speak your fears out loud they dissipate. They lose their power against us.”
This is why therapy works and close friendships save our souls.
I tightlace occasionally and have another possible explanation for the stiffness and discomfort: bloat.
Gas or water retention from indigestion, constipation, carbonated drinks (champagne, anyone?) or even the natural menstrual cycle can create counter-pressure which affects comfort and mobility in a corset, especially when tight-lacing. Tight-lacing over a tummy that wants to be distended is like corseting a beach ball. When the wearer's innards are being compressed by both the corset and an additional factor, extra pressure is put on the body to achieve a wearer's normal lacing.
The stiff walk we see in this video typifies a corset-wearer who is experiencing significant pressure on their lower abdomen. One thing which tightlacers like myself have reported experiencing from over-tightening or wearing poorly fitting corsets is pain, tingling, numbness, and pressure through their hips and the tops of their thighs, making bending at the hip and lifting their legs uncomfortable.
The awkwardness in the video could simply be from over-tightening, but because it seems like a significant difference in comfort level from the rehearsal video, bigger than I would expect from an incremental increase in tightness, and the signs of pressure on the pelvic region, I wouldn't rule out something like bloat as a contributing factor just pushing the corset from "tolerable" to "actively painful".
Abby, I’d like to suggest a video idea. Since you have such a nice collection of historical clothing, I thought the history of buttons would be a great topic to cover. The history behind the evolution of them is really cool, but finding them still on the clothing to be sure of the time period is so hard. I would really value your expertise on this because I collect buttons, I don’t have the finances to collect historical clothing so buttons are a much more affordable way to explore 18th and 19th century clothing. Sorry for the long comment and thank you if you read it ❤ i posted this on the last video, idk if i was too late for you to see it so I figured I’d try one more time. 🙂
yess this! i collect buttons and would love to learn more.
Unrelated but Lana’s look was GORGEOUS. It fit the theme, it was artistic, it was elegant, so pretty. Her antlers and veil were literally everything. I saw it and fell instantly in love
IM SO GLAD SOMEONE SAID IT!!! I saw that dress and got just a little angry
Thank you for bringing up that tight lacing is subjective. I usually wear my corset pretty tight, because it makes me feel safe and like I'm wearing armour, but I can always breathe properly etc. 😅 but when others see it, they are always assuming that I'm tight lacing, even if I tell them I'm not. And when I try to tell them that wearing a corset is actually awesome, they look at it with the presumption that I'm tight lacing and go "He'll no, that's so uncomfortable, I could never do that " no matter what I say 😑
Oh and I one more thing: YOU HAVE TO LET US KNOW WHEN YOUR BOOK IS OUT!!!!😍😍😍
19:06 Ah! The classic conundrum. For more details, watch Catherine De Medici Time Travelling Society reacting to the Vogue video on Corsets.