The History of Corsets - a journey through the ages

According to historical records, the Minoans were the first civilization to wear corsets. The Minoans inhabited Crete and lived in the vicinity of Greece around 1000 BC. The earliest picture of a corset comes from a figurine of the Minoan snake goddess, depicted wearing a corset-like garment. Corset-like garments were also found in Minoan artwork, suggesting that both men and women wore them.

The first known corset was made of linen and wool and was found in a tomb in Crete. This corset was likely used for ceremonial purposes rather than everyday wear. The next record of corsets comes from ancient Greece, where they were known as "Zone." These corsets were made of linen or wool and were designed to fit tightly around the waist. They were often decorated with gold or silver threads and featured beading or other embellishments.

However, in the middle ages, the corsets were not needed to highlight the women's figures as the bodies were seen as sinful. Women wear fully covered dresses from head to toe as they prioritize comfort over body shape.

As mentioned earlier, corsets were used as undergarments and had their origin in Italy. The corset concept was introduced by Catherine de Medici in France in the 1500s and was accepted by the French court. A corset of this sort was a tight, elongated bodice worn beneath clothing. The ladies of the French court regarded this corset as "essential to the female figure's attractiveness."

By the mid of 16th century, they have commonly worn garments among the women of Europe and Great Britain. A "busk," a long, flat piece of whalebone or wood inserted into the casing of the corset to maintain its rigid form, began to be employed in place of boning. The “stomacher” was a stiff, V-shaped structure worn on the abdomen for ornamental purposes and covered the front of the corset. At the end of the 16th century, ruffles were added to the bottom edge of the stomacher, which became known as a “farthingale.”

The 18th century saw another cinched form take hold and an even more constricting shape. The corset was made of hard material in the 1800s, with rows of stitching that encased whalebone, cane, or hemp-like materials tightly. It was long-waisted and had a cut with a narrow back, wide front, and shoulder straps. If we talk about its design, the look was achieved by stiffening the bodice with boning and lacing it tightly.

The corset of this era was designed to make the waist appear smaller compared to the hips. This was done by forcing the floating ribs down and compressing the stomach. For this reason, corsets of this era were also known as “stays.” They were generally made from linen, cotton, or wool and formed by making several cuts from the lower edge to the waistband. It spreads when the women wear and provide more comfort and room to their hips.

The corsets were frequently lavishly adorned, with finely stitched tunnels for boning, precious silk brocade, and gold trimmings. 

It may seem odd to people living in the 21st century that busters were used for several years before becoming fashionable in recent times, dating back to the late 18th century when women's waistlines began to rise.

By the mid-nineteenth century, the corset had primarily evolved into a breast support system. The waist was brought just below the bustline.

According to history, Corsets reached their zenith during the Victorian era. The waistline was returned to its natural position in the 1830s to serve the core purpose. In addition, it served the dual purpose of supporting the waist and breast.

The hourglass silhouette was in vogue, and corsets were designed to achieve that look. They were boned with whalebone, steel, or reed, and the lacing was used to tighten the corset. The front of the corset was flat, and the back was curved. Corsets were often decorated with frills, lace, and bows.

The Victorian corset was designed to make the waist look smaller than the hips. This was done by forcing the floating ribs down and compressing the stomach. The corset was often lavishly adorned, with finely stitched tunnels for boning, precious silk brocade, and gold trimmings.

A Frenchman named Jean Werly created a loom-made corset for ladies in 1839. This style remained quite popular until 1890, when machine-made corsets became more fashionable and popular. All previous types of corsets were handcrafted previously - and, usually, at home.

The flapper corset was a shorter, less constricting corset popular in the 1920s.

This corset was designed to do the exact opposite of all of its predecessors through the ages. The look of the tiny waist and hourglass figure was gone and the more rectangular, straight look was adopted in women's fashion.  If you were a curvy woman of the 1920's then undergarments were used to achieve the new straight-line look. This look was achieved by stiffening the bodice with boning and lacing it tightly. 

During WWI, the corset fell out of fashion, and women began to wear more relaxed clothing. Also, women were asked not to wear corsets so that the metal could be used for war weapon production. 

This step liberated around 28,000 tons of metal which is enough to build 2 battleships.

Women's roles in society also altered due to economic changes after World War I. 

A young woman would typically begin wearing a corset at about 15 and stay at home until she was about 18 years old during the early part of the 20th century.

More young women wanted education after the war, and in the West, courtship was delayed until they were in their early to late twenties. Only overweight or pregnant females may wear a corset, usually an under-bust version.

However, these garments were more commonly known as girdles designed to reduce the hips in size. A resurgence of waist nipping corsets in 1939 caused a stir among fashionistas, but World War II put an end to their comeback.

Originally worn as undergarments, Corsets began to be worn again in the 1990s and have since made a remarkable comeback. 

The corset has seen a resurgence in fashion since 2010. Corsets are presently gaining popularity as both outerwear and lingerie.