Why change your shape?

Definitions and examples

History of foundation garments

  

30's style corselettes

For the long slim look

Corsetry covers all aspects of the art and design of clothing intended to modify the shape of the body, primarily as used in the Western world. To understand it, we must also understand fashion, as it is the task of the corsetiere to provide the underplatform on which the fashion designer builds his creations. Fashion is endlessly changing, and in the past new fashions have almost always called for new corsets, to provide the foundation for the new line.

In this discussion we will consider mainly the evolution of corsetry over the past few centuries. For most of this period the corset was a rigid heavy garment which was extremely effective at shaping the body, but was not noted for it's comfort, and seriously restricted the freedom of movement of the wearer. In the 20th century this gradually became lighter and more flexible, as first rubber and then Lycra made it possible to replace the heavy rigid fabric with light but strong elastic.

Then, early in the sixties, the miniskirt was introduced, and soon afterwards pantyhose appeared. These did away with the need for suspenders, and at the same time the women's movement was denigrating corsetry as mans tyranny imposed on women. Women soon realised that they no longer needed girdles to hold up their stockings, and most women enthusiastically dumped them.

So ended the era which many men regarded as The Golden Age Of Corsetry. ‘Girdle’ has become a dirty word, and the old-style girdle with its garters, rigid panels and bones has become almost as extinct as the dodo. Corsetry has now become Foundationwear, and slimmers, shapers and control brief pantyhose have taken over the role of the girdle. But now these are all optional, and, apart from wearing a bra, many women make no attempt to ensure that their bodies are displayed to the best advantage.

In this section I will try to give you some idea of the whys and wherefores of all these changes, and the state of Corsetry today.


Home