Thank you for reading, and for taking time to add your comments! You clearly know much more about corsets than I do--and no doubt than Bryson does, given your personal experience.

Bryson cites The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine of the day. It contains a statement,"But to most eyes, a waist of 13 or 14 inches, even in a naturally small and slim person, would not be pleasing," in a paragraph discussing how corsets should not "as a rule" be worn by children under 10! Bryson likely sourced his 13" number here, in making a reference to pre-teen girls at boarding school. Let's hope no unfortunate young girl was ever so constrained. Your numbers sound much more plausible.

I am going to edit my article to say 20" waist since I am talking about someone of marriageable age in this context. Thank you!