From a body shaper to a fashion statement: The journey of corset through time
You may have seen people walking down the runways wearing laced, boned garments around their waists. That is, indeed, a corset, short for corset girdle. Corsets are a fashion staple and have been around for centuries, dating back to ancient Greece! They were originally intended to help frame the body into a more idealised shape. The shape of corsets has changed over centuries. The world has seen corsets covering the hips and shorter versions centred on the waistline too. These various transformations are quite fascinating to look at. Let’s set our eyes on the journey of this fashion staple.
The first corset!
Corsets are garments that originated ages ago! Don’t believe us? The Minoans were the first civilisation to wear corsets, and there is evidence to prove it! Around 1000 BC, the Minoans, a Bronze Age civilisation, inhabited Crete, an island located in Greece. They were discovered in several tombs in Crete and were made of linen and wool. These corsets were possibly only worn for ceremonial purposes and not on a daily basis. In addition, the earliest depiction of a corset was found in a Minoan snake goddess figurine. Several Minoan artworks also depict men and women wearing corsets. And obviously, the corset influence spread to the rest of Greece as well. Here, they were known as ‘Zone’ and were made of linen or wool but often were decorated with gold or silver threads.
Evolution of corsets through centuries
Corsets evolved from wool or linen in the ancient Greece to a new style in the 17th century. Can you guess what material was used to make corsets? They were fashioned from bones and linen! Yes, corsets were made from reed, steel and whalebone. They were attached with sleeves, and women occasionally added ribbons to add a little style.
As the 18th century approached, corsets became more constricting, with harder materials being used. These corsets had a long waist, a narrow back, a wide front and shoulder straps. The design aimed to make the waist appear smaller than the hips. They were also exquisitely trimmed in precious silk brocade and gold. However, their restrictive design caused several issues to women’s health. Despite this, people continued wearing them. It wasn’t until the Victorian era (between 1820 to 1914) that the corset reached its pinnacle of design.
Elastic began to be used in corsets in the 1920s, giving rise to flexible sports corsets. The Vogue magazine was instrumental in popularising these styles. By the late 19th century, corsets were eventually abandoned as undergarments and were adopted as fashion accessories. This happened because of their previous restrictive designs and people’s attitudes toward a healthy lifestyle.
Corsets become a fashion statement!
Since the 20th century, many designers have experimented with corsets. Modern corsets of the 21st century are shorter and less constricting. This effect is achieved by boning the bodice and lacing it tightly. And with the frills, lace and bows, modern-day corsets look like no less than a piece of art.
Corsets today are made by combining technology to provide the wearer with support, comfort and of course, add to the style statement. Corsets fell out of favour at the turn of the century, but they made a comeback to the fashion world in 2010 due to several fashion shows that showcased corsets in a fashionable light. They are still gaining popularity as designers keep experimenting with new designs. You can now wear corset dresses, corset tops and corsets with shoulder straps. They can now be made of a variety of materials, including leather, satin and even denim! Corsets have been around for a long time, through many design changes, and they don’t appear to be going away anytime soon.