I find this to be fascinating because during the Victorian era a corset was confining and really a social statement to the restrictive plight of women in a society that rarely educated women and a society that had few employment choices for women. Now women like Trudy have turned the tables and are taking what was once a symbol of subjection (the corset) and have turned it into a symbol of power and liberation, using man’s fetish against him. The corset and the hourglass figure it enhanced in the female form, made the Victorian woman appear even more beautiful and sexual and thus society began to change during the Victorian era. While the uncomfortable, complicated, and time-consuming task of dressing up may have been a dreaded chore for Victorian Ladies, it seemed that the inconveniences were a small price to pay for the pleasure of looking beautiful.

The benefits to the Victorian woman became well worth it as she used her beauty to live a life of comfort and luxury if she were fortunate enough to be married to a man of means. During the reign of Queen Victoria, England grew very rapidly into a rich nation. Many of her citizens became wealthy or middle class and some were able to afford to pay others, Nannies, Governess’ and Tutors, to take over the raising of their children. The Governess was to teach the female children skills that would be attractive in marriage. Victorian parents sought a woman who had the ability to teach their daughters the genteel accomplishments.

This was the aim of female education. The ideal woman was one of leisure, who preformed no housework, and whose husband could support her leisurely lifestyle. To Trudy and the other ladies of the AKS, the Victorian era and feminine wardrobe is a celebration of the beauty of the feminine as the Victorian female used her feminine beauty to rule her husband in a subtle and secret manner.