My grandma and mom used to wear a torso brace all the time- they called it a 'girdle' and no self respecting female (of any size) would've been caught without one (or more) in the '40's & '50's.
I don't see them around much any more, except for medical or overweight problems.
But it used to be that many women considered them a vital part of the wardrobe- a 'foundation' item, & one of the polite 'unmentionables' All of 'em wore 'em!