Tracing the Early History of Corsets

Submitted By: Kjerstid
Corsets have had a long, if somewhat torturous at times, fashion history and has, over the centuries emerged as an amazingly versatile piece of clothing. Although it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when corsets began adorning the bodies of the wealthy and elite, they became a fashion mainstay in the Elizabethan and Victorian eras. While some say that corset-like outfits used to be worn even in the Neolithic age, as cave drawings from that time have come to show, according to others these were worn by the women of ancient Roman, Greek, and Assyrian civilizations. However, irrespective of the origins, the corset was first popularized in the 16th century, during an age which marked a fundamental change in the concept of tailoring and clothing.
• 16th and 17th centuries – During the early 16th century, corsets were referred to as “payre of bodies”, and later, as “stays”. They came with shoulder straps and ended at the waist, flattening and pushing up the bust in the process. Usually worn with a farthingale, corsets emphasized the rigid flatness of the bodice and the contrasting fullness of the bust and the skirt. By the mid 1500s, corsets had emerged as a common garment for women and were made of multiple stiff layers of linen, in the front of which were inserted wooden shafts to keep the figure straight.
• 18th century – During this time, corsets, or “stays” as they were popularly called, were given a conical shape to raise the bust, keep the midriff tight, support the back, and in general, slightly narrow the waist. The torso assumed a “V” shape because of this corset, and regular outfits were worn over it. It was, contrary to popular belief, quite a comfortable piece of clothing and did not restrict breathing in any way.
• Late 18th century and early 19th century – It was in the late 1790s when the high-waisted empire style corsets became all the rage. Although short stays, those reaching till just below the bust line, were still worn, corsets during this time were designed to exert a definite body-shaping force. They stretched till below the natural waist, were stiffened with boning, and laced at the back. However, by the 1830s, corsets began to serve the dual purpose of narrowing the waist and supporting the breasts. Typical of the Victorian fashion sensibilities, corsets began to be worn to emphasize an hourglass silhouette. They were designed to inflate the shoulders, make the waist look narrow, and add more body to the skirt. It is also interesting to note that it was during the mid 1800s that the term “corset” was first used for this article of clothing.
• 19th century – By the mid 19th century, the exaggerated shoulders had disappeared and tightlacing had become extremely popular. Corsets lost their funnel shape and became more curvaceous. It was also at about this time that there emerged a thriving market for mass-produced, cheaper corsets. Such was the craze for corsets that by the late 1800s doctors had pronounced it as particularly dangerous to the health of women in general, and pregnant women in particular.
Corsets have survived over the ages and have emerged as a popular fashion garment in recent years. In fact, they are now available in a great variety of styles and you can even wear them as outerwear.

Published At: Isnare.com