Corset as unquestioned classic lingerie - Brief history
These days, sexy corset is an ultimate item in almost every woman’s sexy underwear wardrobe. Not many however realize that this sexy lingerie piece hasn’t always been considered sexy and erotic, but used to be a symbol of restriction that women once had to face. Due to that fact sexy corsets have important and significant role in fetish culture, and also some women still use them to shape or train the waist. Although the timeless concept is still alive and considered stylish and classy, these days - in the mainstream real corsets are worn rather rarely - being replaced with bustiers and corset style tops. History of corsetry is long and fascinating - below is its brief abstract until the threshold of XXI century.
In the 16 Century…
Naturally hand-made early corsets were stiffened with myltiple layers of heavy fabrics like linen, until first boning was introduced. At the time this was a bunch of wooden shafts inserted along the front into bespoke pockets. The purpose of 16 century classic corsets was from the very start to minimize the waist enhancing and uplifting the bust. The objectives remained the same, and so did design and craft - for over 200 years until the invention of sewing machine.
In the 1800s
Many changes introduced to corsetry in the Victorian era shaped the concept as we know it today, and most of modern corsets are manufactured with the same principles as in the 1800s. The most important change is shape - silhouette was meant to be enhanced as much as possible towards the hourglass figure look. This could only be achieved by very tight lacing along with steel stays. 19th century saw women with re-shaped bodies, with reduced waspish waists and exaggerated hips and busts.
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