He was whittling down her resistance.
The whittling away of its formal or organizing rubrics, as e.g., sameness into likeness, is disconcerting to science wherever the significance of the process is realized.
To what the remaining difference was due it is difficult to say with certitude; there are some who argue that the tendency of prices to fall is inherent, and that the constant whittling away of intermediaries' profits is sufficient explanation, while bi-metallists have maintained that the phenomenon is clearly to be traced to the action of the German government in demonetizing silver in 1872.
Today's corset is generally much less restricting and worn more for fashion and sensuality than true whittling of the shape.
Whittling down the vast range to a selection of couture coats is a wise plan, especially if the goal is to find a coat that will remain timeless.