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- Jun 20, 2018
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I'm writing a trans man character in the early 1900s. I'm interested in working out some ways he could bind his chest besides the traditional, very trope-y bandages around the chest. He used to work for a tailor in the East End, so he's good at sewing and knows about materials, but he's now a footman and doesn't have a lot of free time or access to supplies.
I don't think elastic fabrics existed yet, so elastic is out. I was wondering about fabric cut on the bias (diagonally)? According to Wikipedia, the term 'bias cut' existed in some form among some avant-garde dressmakers as early as the mid 19th century, but doesn't seem to have entered the popular lexicon until the 20s or 30s. I don't think someone working in an East End sweat shop in 1900 would know it, so I'm not sure what he would call it. Wikipedia also tells me that fabric cut on the bias was used to make hose in the Middle Ages, so the idea obviously isn't new.
Also, what do you think about having a character come up with something like this if I don't have any evidence of any actual trans men of the period doing it? I obviously want to stick to materials he would have had access to and I don't want him to invent any concepts that didn't actually exist yet. He's not a genius fashion entrepeneur, just a reasonably bright boy with several years of sewing experience. Would it be reasonable for him to go 'hey, if you cut a fabric diagonally, it stretches and I could use that to make something to bind my chest'? Would it impact your immersion if you read that?
I don't think elastic fabrics existed yet, so elastic is out. I was wondering about fabric cut on the bias (diagonally)? According to Wikipedia, the term 'bias cut' existed in some form among some avant-garde dressmakers as early as the mid 19th century, but doesn't seem to have entered the popular lexicon until the 20s or 30s. I don't think someone working in an East End sweat shop in 1900 would know it, so I'm not sure what he would call it. Wikipedia also tells me that fabric cut on the bias was used to make hose in the Middle Ages, so the idea obviously isn't new.
Also, what do you think about having a character come up with something like this if I don't have any evidence of any actual trans men of the period doing it? I obviously want to stick to materials he would have had access to and I don't want him to invent any concepts that didn't actually exist yet. He's not a genius fashion entrepeneur, just a reasonably bright boy with several years of sewing experience. Would it be reasonable for him to go 'hey, if you cut a fabric diagonally, it stretches and I could use that to make something to bind my chest'? Would it impact your immersion if you read that?