Victorians were not unaware of the health hazards posed by the corset and other aspects of women's fashions. Dress reform movements continually sought to make fashions healthier, or at least less hazardous. This led to improvements in undergarments, changes in the types of fabrics used in undergarments and other clothing, and many other reforms.

The Physical Life of Women: The Influence of Dress, by Jennie June (Demorest, 1872)

The dangers of fashion to women's health.

The Philosophy of Clothing (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1881)

An analytic look at different fabrics and their effects on health (particularly through trapping or releasing excess heat).

Dress Reform for Men, by John Crowdy (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1883)

On the need to reform men's clothing to befit good taste.

Reform in Underclothing (Girl's Own Paper, 1888)

This article offers some fascinating information on the origins of some common articles of Victorian underclothing -- the pantalette having been designed to enable young girls to wear shorter skirts -- and then looks at some recommendations for change, including the "emancipation bodice" and "Dr. Jasper's sanitary combination garment."

Recent Ideas on Dress Reform (Girl's Own Paper, 1891)

This article is an interesting follow-on to the article above. Now, the great enemy of women's health is the dreaded corset!

The Latest Ideas on Hygienic Clothing, by Dora de Blaquière (Girl's Own Paper, 1893)

The connection between clothing, fabric and health.

Aglaia: The Grace of Dress, by Dora de Blaquière (Girl's Own Paper, 1894)

More on fashion reform and the evils of the corset.

Too Tight Clothing (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1894)

Practical Points About Clothing, by "The New Doctor" (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

On the dangers of boots and corsets.