History of the corset

The corset as a part of people's vision has undergone many changes over the centuries. One thing is for sure - that whatever happens to it, it always finds a way to return to our wardrobes. Slightly modified, improved, but always carrying elegance.

In this article, we will trace the development, rise and fall of corsets in society.

Corsets have been worn since ancient civilizations. The earliest forms of corsets date back to ancient civilizations such as the Minoans in Crete (c. 1600 BC), where women wore tight-fitting blouses. They are described as strips of linen or wool that were wrapped and tightened around the waist to achieve the desired shape.

16th century

In the 16th century, the corset we know today began to take shape in Europe. Originally called a "stay" or "bodice," these early corsets were made of stiff fabrics and reinforced with materials such as whalebone. Dating from either Italy or France, they were originally used as a part of underwear and also to keep the torso upright. Catherine de Medici, Duchess of Mantua and Montferrat, decided that a wide waist was no longer acceptable. So ladies began to use corsets to elongate their torsos, shape and lift their breasts, and shrink their waists. The corset began to become a status symbol in society.

17th and 18th centuries

During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, or the 17th and 18th centuries, corsets became more structured and complex, emphasizing the conical shape of the torso. They were often part of the refined court attire. In addition to the whalebone structure, metal elements began to appear.

In the 18th century, corsets were worn by women of all social classes. They were tightened tightly to create a narrow waist, a symbol of aristocratic status. This period also saw a change in function and design. The corset became more open at the hips, allowing for freer movement. The main focus became lifting the bust and tightening the waist without restricting movement, which was achieved with transverse and curved underwires.

19th century

The 19th century, during the Victorian period, was the height of the corset's popularity. Corsets became tighter and more restrictive, aiming for an hourglass figure - a fashion trend that symbolized status. As sewing and manufacturing technologies developed, corsets became more comfortable to wear, but retained their basic function of creating the shapes women desired.

20th century

In the early 20th century, the S-shaped corset, which pushed the breasts forward and the hips back, became popular. But social attitudes towards fashion and women's freedom began to change.

In the 1920s, the corset went out of fashion with the rise of the flapper style, which was focused on shape but also more freedom.

While corsets almost disappeared from everyday fashion by the mid-to-late 20th century, they made a resurgence in certain subcultures and fashion movements such as punk and goth.

In high fashion, designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood reworked the corset, bringing it back into fashion as a statement piece rather than as underwear.

It is important to note that corsets were not only worn by ladies in society. In the past, men also often resorted to wearing corsets. On the one hand, to maintain a “triangular figure” - broad shoulders and a narrow waist. On the other hand, they were often used to keep the spine straight and for various back and waist pains.

Our days

Today, corsets are worn as a way to express ourselves. In addition to being worn as underwear, they are also worn as part of the everyday look. Modern corsets are often more comfortable and made with modern materials - cotton, linen, jacquard, silk and satin, which offer flexibility and support. You can find such in the MyMoon store or contact me to get the corset of your dreams.