Corset

The corset was the most attractive part of a woman's outfit. It was worn by maidens, girls aged 12-20, and young married women, mainly in summer as a part of the official and festive outfit. Among the most popular were the so-called Krakow style corsets, worn and made from ca. 1920, usually made out of stiff and precious fabrics, including damask, plush, satin, and velvet, lined with cotton or linen. Corsets were usually decorated with appliqués and haberdashery, embroidered with colourful threads, colourful beads, as well as silver and gold sequins, and used to replace bras. Krakow style corsets were short and tight, with cleavage. They covered the chest, serving the role of an outside bra, fastened with hooks or laces. At the bottom they had from 21 to 36 tongue-shaped pieces. Symmetrical floral and plant designs embroidered with thread beads covered all the pieces, as well as the front and the back side of the corset. Joanna Kluz Works cited: Ignas K., Ludowe stroje przeworskie – przeszłość i przyszłość, Przeworsk 2017.