 FACT: While investigating the death of a murder victim who wore a  corset to achieve a "wasp" waist, Sara Sidle comments, "This corset  ties from the back which means Mr. Carson couldnt have tied the  laces by himself. He had to have help." Most 19th century corsets  did have laces up the back and hooks up the front. Assuming the  corset laces were long enough, however, the wearer could tie a  corset on his or her own by loosening the laces, hooking the corset  in the front, and then reaching back and pulling on the corset laces  to cinch the waist. A second persons assistance to tighten a corset  is quite helpful but not essential.