Edwardian Doll Corset and Doll Bonnet, ca. 1910

In Victorian and Edwardian times, the corset played a central role in women's lives. It was considered an essential garment that not only shaped the body and improved posture, but also symbolized social status and virtue. Girls learned to wear the corset from an early age, and this practice often began with their dolls, which were also fitted with small corsets. These doll corsets, like the one we present here, were miniature versions of the real corsets and had the same features: lacing, hook and eye closures, and a similar color palette and quality of workmanship. Doll corsets were not only used as toys, but also as educational tools. By putting on and taking off the corsets on their dolls, the girls learned the intricacies of lacing and how to handle the garment correctly. This early practice prepared them for wearing a corset in their teenage years and later in adult life. Along with the corset, the doll's hood was another important accessory. These small hoods, often made of delicate lace and silk (like the one we sell here), reflected the fashion of the time and completed the doll's outfit. They were often richly decorated and fastened with ribbons and bows.