Wagon - Horsing around 1897 Tissue Paper

Colourized photo from 1897 Original title: Pony girl under whip Photographer: Unknown Location: Maybe Europe Have a problem with a flat posterior? Does your rumpus look flumpus? You got nothing back there to attract the guys who want a big round thing in their face? Then join our club, each member gets a complimentary device that gives you the look you desire. We also have a comprehensive exercise plan that will help fill it in naturally. We promise that at the end of this training, the fella's will follow you everywhere. That is what I assume is going on, in reality, its anyone's guess. Could be a hazing ritual or some kind of dare or initiation. The Victorian were kind of weird and did weird things in front of the camera, a lot like us actually only they had nicer clothes doing it. So what are we actually looking at? The wagon is called a Battlesden Car, its a variant on a dog car. It's sort of a carriage that can hold four people, two in front, another two against their back facing the other way, and I suppose two in front if you don't own a horse or a large dog. The vehicle was designed for ladies, it had tall fenders to keep their dresses clean, it was low to the ground making it easier to get on and off. It was lightweight and eye catching. The dresses were the fashion of the day, they were called Bustle Dresses. As you can see it enhances a ladies posterior, as large fannies were popular in this era. The device was made of metal or wicker, it formed a rounded frame work and it would be hung like a belt under your tight corset. The dress layers go on top of that. The material used for the dresses were very colourful. It's not really known why the shelf like rear was a thing. Some believe that it allowed a man to get close where a hoop would get in the way. Maybe it was just a convenient place to store a sandwich and a drink. In any case ladies would make them bigger and bigger to attract more attention at the balls.