The Evolution of The Corset

By Salma Moustafa

The corset has certainly evolved throughout fashion history.Most commonly worn in the mid-1800s, the corset was considered a medical necessity. It was believed that a woman was very fragile and needed assistance from some form of stay to hold her up. It wasn't until the Victorian Era in the 19th century, that the widespread use of the corset emerged. Recurring changes of female shapes, mainly to the waist being enhanced or concealed led to the disappearance and reappearance of the corset in 20th century fashion.

During the Art Deco period in the 1920's, dresses were more flat and square with less emphasis on the waist. Corsets disappeared for a while.However, in the 1940's, "The New Look" created by Christian Dior placed emphasis on the waist, once again, bringing the corset back but this time turning it into a bustier.

In the 1970's, Vivienne Westwood becomes the first designer of the 20th century to use corset in its original form which led to designers Jean-Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler following in her path in the 1980's.

Madonna wears one of Jean-Paul Gaultier's corsets in her world tour in the 1990's making her the first woman to wear them as outerwear.A fashion trend commences.

And now with the increasing trend of curvy women, a niche has emerged with some craving the need of curves once again.Once considered a medical necessity, the corset has now become a form of liberation and sexual empowerment for women everywhere, translating the corset from a garmet worn as innerwear to one that can be worn as outerwear.