What's a Wasp Waist?

I've heard the term "wasp waist," but never really understood it until I came upon an unaltered dress that once belonged to the Empress Elisabeth, known as "Sisi" in Austria. She was a celebrated beauty, married at 16 to her cousin the Emperor Franz Joseph. She pretty much invented anorexia in her age, dieting obsessively…

Red and Black Warp Satin Steel Boned Waspie Underbust Corset

Back in the day, Rosie symbolized women's hard work and effort in male-dominated industrial roles. I saw this on a T-shirt today. : r/NotHowGirlsWork

Corsets: laced up by fashion European Fashion Heritage Association

Wasp waist hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy

USDA APHIS Northern Giant Hornet

These Corsets Will Make Your Waist So Tiny You Faint Straight Onto His Dick by Ella Gale

CYOE T3 Wasp Waist by unit1138 on DeviantArt

What's a Wasp Waist?

Dispelling the Myth of the Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Waist – Historical Sewing

Now That's a Wasp Waist! - Bug Squad - ANR Blogs

Two Common Medieval Silhouettes – Knyght Errant

Short Colombian Girdle Butt Lifter

Thread-waisted Wasp

Corsets that create a Conical Ribcage – Lucy's Corsetry