Are around too. I get them custom made.

They're still around with a new name. They are now called "body shapers". They may no longer contain bones but they try to achieve the same degree of control. "Take a deep breath 'cause that's the last one you'll get til nightfall."

I love that the mannequin has such realistic proportions (except for, you know, the missing head and arms). She'd have no love at Vic's, for sure. The mannequins at VS feature obviously protruding hip bones--all the better for holding up those skimpy little thongs, I suppose. But this one has some curves! I realize that corsets must have been wildly uncomfortable, but they did make curves look pretty hot. It would have been nice to have lived during a time when the hourglass figure was in. Ah well--born 100 years too late.

Anyone know how long into the 1920s Wells was able to hang on? I assume this may have been toward the end of this type of establishment.

Wow, I check this site daily, and was shocked to see the building I work in.

Well, it's not actually the same building. The corset shop was knocked down and the new headquarters of the Second National Bank was built on this location in 1928.

The bank and offices remained open into the early 70s. Various other tenants, including a uniform shop occupied the building in the 1970s-80s. In the late 80s until 1991 the Treasury Department used some of the offices in the building.

The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

The building remained vacant until 2007 when the American Immigration Lawyers Association restored it for their national offices.

No signs of corset wearing ghosts, yet.

vouge, n. - a kind of pike used by foot soldiers in the 14th century

Considering the armor and protective gear this store sold the vouge fits in perfectly.

I hope Miss Wells didn't pay too much for that beautiful, hand lettered sign with a large "Vouge" instead of "Vogue."

[Uoch. - Dave]

It's ironic that that mannequin wears more than most women these days.

How fitting (pardon the pun) that central in the photograph is a languishing bird trapped in a proper Victorian-style cage. Silk lacers and beautiful bows aside, corsets were pretty little prisons.

Washington Post Nov 24, 1918: Advertisement

The Wells Corset store

1331 G Street

Phone Franklin 2523

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The Most Acceptable Gift for a Young Girl

Is her First Corset. The dainty garment with its silk lacer and pretty bows not only appeals to her innate love of the beautiful but it suggests the achievement of the really and truly grown up stage.

It is a most practical gift for mothers to make, for the growing girl needs proper corset support.

The Wells Corset Service is well adapted to the needs of the girl with her first corset as it is to the needs of the mature matron.