Reply #27: 19th century women of affluence suffered from the vapors - [View All]

and had fainting couches. They often took to their beds, why? Because they were cinched in so tight, they couldn't breathe. It isn't exactly a phenomenon of nowadays as I doubt many women could claim the 18-inch waists these women did. The cherubic figures portrayed in earlier art were far from what we would call obese today.

The thirst for thinness today is a sign of affluence mainly because the rich run in circles that vacation on ski hills and socialize on tennis courts and golf courses. Wives who are supported by rich husbands are expected to go to the gym before luncheon appointments, and macher husbands do business on the racketball courts. Personal trainers and spa days are expenses that are de rigueur if you're going to play in the sandbox, along with the nanny, spiritual advisor/yoga instructor, deep tissue masseuse, and psychoanalyst.