Corsets and Corset shops ...

[Aphrodite_Nymphia]

I was just over on Lei's site (I haven't been in a while and I have to say the new layout is fantastic, although that is probably old news by now) and I came across the photographs of the old corset departments, with the big glass cabinets and rows and rows of corsets. Even plants in the middle of it all too!

It got me to thinking though:

1.) I wish I could go back in time and spend an afternoon in one of those shops (although my boyfriend hates corsets - medical student wouldn't you know!? - which annoys me so much sometimes).

2.) How clinical and 'samey' (that is probably not even a word) shopping has become nowadays. It seems that everytime a shop gets a 'make-over' they go for the white walls, sharp edges and the 'as little clothes as possible on display' look. Now maybe it is just me, who knows, but that type of look doesn't really appeal and it certainly doesn't induce me to come in and shop. I guess the idea is that the less colourful the shop, the more attention will be drawn to the clothes, but I think sometimes a shop that is colourful, or that little bit different can add to the clothes.

3.) While those women may have been able to spend all afternoon sitting in those shops leisurely looking at corsets if you spend too long in a shop these days without buying something it feels like all eyes are on you waiting to see what you are going to steal.


So although we seemingly (as sometimes things are so similar from shop to shop it is hard to tell) have more choice nowadays is shopping a poorer experience on a whole than that of women in the past?

Emma.

 

[pauline]

Originally posted by Aphrodite_Nymphia
I was just over on Lei's site (I haven't been in a while and I have to say the new layout is fantastic, although that is probably old news by now) and I came across the photographs of the old corset departments, with the big glass cabinets and rows and rows of corsets. Even plants in the middle of it all too!

Those were the days when a lady had nothing else to do in a day but go shopping for a corset a social occation from that photo,
Would she have told her husband " Oh my darling I spent the afternoon in the corset shop"
While he was looking over his latest purchase of spices from the West Indies .

Shops now just whant your cash then the next customer... self service

 

[Aphrodite_Nymphia]

Ah very true Paul, and half the time they don't even try very hard to get it. I was in one of the high street stores a few weeks ago, one of the supposedly higher end ones (like Monsoon although that wasn't the store in question) and I stood at the till waiting with a queue of 5 other women behind me ... there were 3 tills, 5 assistants standing there, but only one could be bothered to serve me and only then after she had finished chatting to one of the other 4 who were just milling about. The same assistant then practically threw the shoes I had bought at me! Not that I am saying all sales assistants are like that, afterall my mother works in Wallis and she would kill me for saying that, but some do really leave little to be desired.

Emma.

 

[crinolinegirl]

I think the thing with shops "back then", is that you were expected to take your time and browse so that you would choose the best item for your money. Women were encourage to buy wisely then whereas now, we are a throwaway society so we go in buy whatever is on sale/latest fashion, etc and leave.
Also too, because department shops were a relatively new idea, they wanted to make shoppers as comfortable as possible like being at home, so that they would stay a long time.
I think shopping was considered a big event during the Victorian and Edwardian eras so having nice chairs and grand glass display cases, would have added to the whole experience whereas now, shopping is pretty much just something you do.

I'd like to go back into those postcards too (where is Dr. Who when you need him?) and go shopping! I'll take one of each corset in my size please!

Lei

 

[bug12oz]

Dr Who is on vacation it seems for us huh???

(hubby's mom is brit so naturally we watch the BBC on cable all the time)

I agree with Lei we have become to much of a throwaway soceity that buys in the now and then later we think why did we buy that. We then end up losing the ticket to be able to take it back so we keep it in the back of the closet for a few years till we get tired of seeing it and donate it.

I will debate with myself over buying a certain piece of clothing in stores for days.

 

[pauline]

One thing that gets me when I think about it, is if you buy a tin of beans from a shop it's on the shelf for a quick buy and no one thing oh your eating tinned beans tonight, big deal!, but if you ladies go into a large department store and buy lingerie there is row upon row for exsample bra's every colour/size and every one see which you buy and have to walk half way around the store to find a check out stand in a long line to pay for it.
It is to me ironic that such a personal item is purchased in almost full public view, that would not have happened pre supermarket days?.But it is acepted as normal these todays.

 

[bug12oz]

Oh don't get me started on the lingerie being out in the open at department stores........I hate it.....