Training corset

[3] In addition to moulding a pronounced waist, it served as a back harness and was intended to improve posture.

[6] Corsets may be worn for orthopedic reasons, such as correcting a crooked spine, poor posture or straightening the back and shoulders.

It was primarily in the 19th century when corsets were used to noticeably reduce a woman's waist in order to achieve a fashionable hourglass figure.

The corset was laced progressively tighter, forcing the floating ribs upward and compressing the soft tissue at the waist.

This could lead to many negative health ramifications, including difficulty breathing, problems with digestion, and permanent deformity.

An example of a training corset. It has long, stiff shoulder straps which raise the lower ribs