The early Victorian crinoline put the entire…

…fashion focus on a tiny waist, which led to the need for tight lacing and corsets that could get not only the look to trick the eye like in the 18th century, but a small waist in reality.  Skirt and sleeve dimensions did help with the visual focus, but it was the corset that did the job.

(1860’s cartoon showing not all people loved the Victorian crinoline)