The smallest waist belongs to Cathie Jung (USA, b. 1937), who stands at 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) and has a corseted waist measuring 38.1 cm (15 in). Un-corseted, it measures 53.34 cm (21 in).

Her enthusiasm for Victorian clothes is why at the age of 38 she started wearing a 15.24 cm (6 in) training belt to gradually reduce her then 66.4 cm (26 in) waist. She has never had surgery to define her waist.

Since 1983, she has worn a corset 23 hours a day, only removing it for her daily shower.

The mother of three, who does not eat a special diet or exercise to maintain her waist, says: "We had no intention of setting a record. It was about dressing appropriately for the age."