| Corsetry has long been a fascinating topic. Many | | | | problems. In response the straight front corset was |
| today see the corset as the ultimate item of sexy | | | | introduced in approximately 1900. It was believed to |
| womens underwear. Others see the corset as a | | | | create less pressure on the abdomen, but forced the |
| symbol of the binding and restriction that women | | | | wearer into an unnatural hips-back, bust-out position. |
| once faced. This dichotomy of power and lack of | | | | World War I |
| power gives the corset a very important role in | | | | During the War, steel was rarely available for civilian |
| today's fetishist subcultures. Some women use | | | | use. Combined with the invention of the bra, this |
| corsets for waist training, reshaping their bodies with | | | | helped contribute to the decline of corsets. |
| the compressive garment. In the mainstream, true | | | | Nonetheless, some forms of corsets continued in |
| corsets are rarely worn, replaced instead by corset | | | | popularity through the 1920s. |
| tops and bustiers. Provided here is a brief history of | | | | 1930s-1980s |
| the corset and information on the corsets available | | | | Corsetry experienced brief periods of renewed |
| today. | | | | interest throughout the next decades, but never |
| The 16th Century | | | | made a solid recovery. It was the fetish fashion of |
| Corsets were first popularized in the mid-16th | | | | the 1980s that brought about corsets' latest |
| century. At that time, the garment was used not to | | | | renaissance. |
| minimize the waist but to enhance the bust. Early | | | | 1980s-2000s |
| corsets were handmade, stiffened with multiple | | | | Modern corsets are largely inspired by the punk and |
| layers of linen and other heavy fabrics. Boning was | | | | gothic subcultures. Those communities' dual interests |
| introduced, generally in the form of wooden shafts | | | | in historical fashions and fetish gear made the corset |
| inserted into a pocket along the front. This type of | | | | a natural choice. Today's corsetry involve both the |
| corset remained popular until the mid 1800s, when | | | | Victorian tight-#lacers with steel boning and more |
| the sewing machine created an industry. | | | | comfortable corset-look tops. They are popular with |
| 1800s | | | | women seeking legitimate waist reduction, fetishists |
| The Victorian era brought many changes to the | | | | and those seeking a romantic old-fashioned look. |
| corset that are still with us today. Modern corsets | | | | If you have never worn a corset, it is highly |
| are shaped in the same way as the 1800s corset. | | | | recommended that you enter into corsetry slowly. |
| Steel stays were introduced in this area, allowing | | | | Begin with a corset-look bustier containing stiffening |
| corsets to reshape the body. Tight lacing was | | | | fabric but no actual boning. From there, consider |
| common, further reducing the waist and enhancing | | | | moving into a soft corset with flexible plastic stays. |
| the bust and hips. | | | | Corsets with steel stays must be carefully fitted due |
| Edwardian Corsets | | | | to the risk of injury. Consult with an expert corset |
| A strong backlash reaction to tight lacing developed | | | | maker to have a steel-containing corset specially |
| near the turn of the 20th century. It was believed | | | | designed for you. |
| that tight lacing could lead to a range of health | | | | |