“I am neither for nor against any particular item of clothing- and I am cognizant of the fact that sartorial enthusiasm can have a variety of meanings. (58)
sadomasochism- psychological tendency or sexual practice characterized by both sadism and masochism.
sadism- the tendency to derive pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others
masachism- the tendency to derive pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from one’s own pain or humiliation.
…”Pearl’s idol, Fakir Mustafar, a key figure in the world of body modification, has identified “three basic types of people” who wear corsets today. First there are what he calls the “corset nonconformists,” who want to “change the shape of the body… and realize some kind of aesthetic ideal.” (This is, presumably, the category in which he would place himself.) Second, there are the “corset identificationists,” who associate corsets with felinity and feminine undergarments.” They are not necessarily particularly interested in “sculpting the body” (i.e. tight lacing), “but by wearing the corset they seemed to have a kind of gender transformation.” (He does not say so specifically, but many transvestites fall into this category.) Third are the “corset masochists,” who tight-lace “to create erotic discomfort.” Considerable overlap exists among these categories, and some people do not fit neatly into any one category. There are also, of course, the followers of fashion— fewer today than in the nineteenth century, but not to be discounted.” (63)
Book Presents some interesting ideas about corsetry and its social aspects. I didn’t realize that there were so many niche aspects of corsetry (which is, itself, already a niche). Overall, this was a good read. Steele even does some myth busting when it comes to health, tight lacing, and feminism, which I think, was necessary.
Samantha's RCA Process 