c.1903-1906. A white sateen Ferris Good Sense Corsetwaist made by the Ferris Bros. (New York and San Francisco). Ferris corsetwaists were seen an a healthier alternative for woman from the traditional heavily boned corset. They were marketed towards all segments of society from working class women to wear as a comfortable working corset to wealthy women who could afford to keep horses and ride to use as a riding corset.
The corsetwaists relied on cording for support although some light whalebone was used and had button up fronts rather than a stiff busk.
Ferris made waists for babies and children right up to adult women and came in different models and lengths (short or long) and bust sizes (slim or full) to suit all figure types and heights. The shoulder straps gave support to the breasts and are adjustable.
This particular corsetwaist is the slim busted/ short length variation of model number 230 which had lacing on the hips which meant it could be used for sports such as horse riding, bicycling, golf, tennis, etc or by fuller figured women who needed more abdominal support.
The model down was the 220, which was identical to this corset but did not have lacing on the hips. Early models did not have the two tabs at the bottom from for pinning on stocking suspenders, these were added onto Ferris waists after 1902. There were fastenings at the hips of the waists for also attaching clothing to but these were removed by the original owner. Early models had button attachments while later 1890's and onwards Ferris waists have a clamp buckle attachment at the hips.
Measurements: Bust 32", Waist 25", Hips 31".

From the collection of L. Hidic
corsetsandcrinolines.com

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