The Guinness Book of World Records

Of course, Ethel Granger and Cathie Jung are among the best known corset wearers of contemporary corset history. Both ladies appear in the Guinness Book of World Records. You can find Cathie on the website of Guinness Books of World Records under Human Body/Smallest waist on a living person.
The entries state Ethel's corseted waist of 13 inch (33 cm) and Cathie's 15 inch (38 cm) but in a way, Cathie has beaten Ethel.
In her time, Ethel Granger (see her website) was able to reduce her waist from 23 inch (58,5 cm) to 13 inch (33 cm), so, a reduction of about 10 inches (25 cm). Cathie Jung reduced her waist from 26 inch (66 cm) to 15 inch (38 cm), a reduction of 11 inches (27,5 cm).
To achieve this, it's an absolute necessity to wear the corset day and night. Only when the weather is unbearably hot, the corset is taken off for a short while.

Corset lovers however, must keep in mind that waist reduction, to the extent that Cathie has achieved, is only possible when done slowly and well planned.
All too often there's the tendency to lace too tight too soon, only resulting in a wearer unable to get used to the corset. Contrarily, when done more gradually, it is easier to get accustomed to the corset and the reduction can be taken further.
Not many will achieve a waistline such as Cathie's, as this takes an iron will and discipline as well adaption of a 24 hour-a-day way of life.

Edtion 2005

Guinness World Records 2005

Smallest Waist On A Living Person

Cathie Jung's waist is about the same size as a regular jar of mayonnaise. She's been wearing a corset every day for the past 12 years, and she now wears one 24 hours a day. "I probably have around 100 of them," says the corset queen.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Corsets were hugely popular in Victorian times (during the 1800s), when they were often strengthened with pieces of whalebone. Corsets pinch the waist, and if worn for a long time they can permanently alter the shape of the waistline. The wasp-waist look went out of fashion in the 1920s, but Cathie says that plenty of folks still enjoy it today. "A lot of people think it's wonderful," she says. "But some people think it's ridiculous, perhaps they're jealous because they're overweight." Cathie says her tiny waist has not caused her any health problems.


CHECK THIS OUT...
Corsets haven't always just been popular with women. They were worn in ancient times by men from the European island of Crete. They too developed smaller waists.

Guinness Books of World Records under Human Body/Smallest waist on a living person.