By the end of the 1870’s, the corset was at its

greatest function it had ever been and would ever be, as it now took on the role of shaping the body from top to bottom.  Previous versions focused only on the waist, or bust, or in shaping and slimming.  This new one was intent on forming the body.

(Photos: 1879 to 1880 ensemble and corset.  Bright colors were somewhat rare)