Extremely Long Fingernails
During the Qing Dynasty in China, women were encouraged to grow their nails up to 8-10 inches. This was a signal of wealth, because most of the individuals with super long nails had to wear gold nail guards to prevent them from breaking off, and they had their servants wait on them for everything. We're talking EVERYTHING. Imagine what you couldn't do if you had 10 inch long nails.
Wearing Corsets
Women of the past (and some in the present, although doctors advise that you do not try this) used to bind their waists super tight all day, every day. Corsets were supposed to give women a "desirable hourglass figure" while subsequently making breathing difficult and, in some cases, causing massive organ failure.
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