		PAGE
PREFACE . . . . . . . . . .		v
GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN CORSETRY . .		xv
CHAPTER I
RESPONSIBILITIES AND REWARDS . . . .		1
	Corset fitting a form of public service–The qualities needed–Importance to health–Need to consider each customer individually–Winning friends for the store–Scope for advancement
CHAPTER II
CORSETS HAVE A LONG HISTORY		7
	Primitive sculptures–Biblical reference–Greek and Roman types–Five corset epochs–Elizabethan tight-lacing–Steel corsets–Eighteenth-century leather corsets–"Empire" freedom–Victorian tight-lacing–The first "health corset"–Effects of First World War; "cigarette girl" figures–The way open for reform–The Lastex revolution–Social implications of the new styles–Value of corsets to war workers in 1939-45 war–Corsetières responsible for the future
CHAPTER III
SERVICE IN THE MODERN STORE . . . .		23
	Selling service along with merchandise–Public demanding higher standards –Changed attitude towards fitting–Design of fitting rooms–The various kinds of corsets–Basis of one or two sound brands–Fashion corsets
CHAPTER IV
ANATOMY FOR THE CORSETIERE . . . .		30
	The Corsetière deals not merely with visible flesh–The invisible visceral system–The bony frame–The chest cavity–The abdominal cavity–The pelvic cavity-Muscles and their "tone"–Posture and health–Constriction not the aim of corsetry–Resisting the pull of gravity
CHAPTER V
THE BASIC FIGURE TYPES . . . . . .		37
	Women's figures fall into types–Characteristic tendencies of hip heavy type–of average type–of top heavy type–Age does not change type–Each type has its own beauty
CHAPTER VI
THE APPROACH TO FITTING AND HOW TO MEASURE . . . . . . . . .		41
	Taking fitting for granted–Building up customer's confidence–Fitting room courtesies–How to measure–What to observe–Selecting the right garment
CHAPTER VII
THE LACING CORSET . . . . . . .		48
	Its adjustability–The different types–Individual fitting essential–Right and wrong uses of lacing–How to lace–Fitting front lace corset with busk; front lacing with side hooks; back lacing; back lacing with inner belt–How to check the fit–How to test in bending–How to take corset off
CHAPTER VIII
FITTING THE HOOKSIDE BELT AND CORSELETTE .		56
	How to put on hookside girdle–How to test for correctness of fit–Putting on and testing a corselette–Hookside corselette with inner belt
CHAPTER IX
ELASTICIZED CORSETRY . . . . . .		60
	The two kinds of rubber thread–Lastex fabrics–75 per cent could wear this type of corsetry Typical hip expansions–Small average and full averagePurpose of downward stretch–Fitting procedure–Fitting a full figure-Checking fit
CHAPTER X
BUSK FRONT AND INNER BELT CORSETS . . .		66
	Special advantages–Fastening busk an action which must be mastered–Method of fitting–Taking the garment off Inner belt fitting
CHAPTER XI
THE IMPORTANCE OF BRASSIERES . . . .		70
	Important for both health and beauty–No muscle in the breasts–Trying to correct figure faults–Dealing with the dropped bust–Fitting bust sections of corselettes–Brassieres for mastitis-How to measure the bust–Variations in bust cup sizes–Brassieres with diaphragm bands–Avoiding fleshy bulges when fitting–Shoulder strap adjustment–Instruction on "uplift"
CHAPTER XII
FITTING THE VERY LARGE WOMAN . .		79
	The corset can relieve tiredness due to weight of flesh–The pendulous abdomen–The slim hip and thigh problem–Dealing with back flesh–Fitting the bust–Lacing garments give flexible control–Heavy corsets not always necessary
CHAPTER XIII
TEEN-AGE AND JUNIOR FIGURES . . . .		83
	Young girls are important potential customers–The young types of figures-The 'Junior Miss"–Measure under the bust as well as around it
CHAPTER XIV
SURGICAL CORSETRY . . . . . . .		85
	Highly specialized and deeply interesting work; training absolutely necessary The personal touch- Fitter must not attempt to diagnose–Conditions likely to be met–Post-operative supports
CHAPTER XV
PAGE MATERNITY CORSETS AND BRASSIERES . . .		88
	Bodily changes during pregnancy–Fit at the fourth month–Types of matern ity belts–Instructions on lacing–Post-natal care–Adjustable brassieres–Nursing brassieres
CHAPTER XVI
CORSET MATERIALS . . . . . . .		93
	Customers appreciate advice–Qualities of cotton; of rayon; of nylon; of silk; of mixtures–List of chief rigid fabrics–Elastic fabrics, knitted and woven -List of elastic fabrics
CHAPTER XVII
CORSETS IN THE WASH-TUB . . . . .		100
	Washing restores "tired" fabrics–The washing method–Special methods with nylon and rayon
CHAPTER XVIII
KEEPING RECORDS, KEEPING STOCK, AND BUILDING GOOD WILL IN THE STORE . . . .		103
	Advantages of a card index for customer-records–Advertising the fitting service–Bringing the fitting service into display–Keeping stock fresh and tidy–Reserve stocks–Co-operation with gown department
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . .		108
INDEX . . . . . . . . . .		115

CONTENTS