“The waists were pulled tight, with contours that were very firm, and pleasing to the eye (it must be noted that in general, all the ladies that lived in the town that will remain nameless were rather plump, but laced themselves so artfully and had such pleasant manners that their stoutness escaped all notice). Everything about them had been planned and premeditated with uncommon foresight; their necks and shoulders were exposed precisely as much as was necessary and no more; each lady bared her possessions to the point where she felt, according to her own lights, that they were capable of leading a man to ruin. All the rest was held in reserve with exquisite taste……
Nikolay Gogol, “Dead Souls”, 1842.
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 