History of the Corset
The history of the corset is very interesting and goes back at least 500 years. What you see today is a far departure from the original corset. Today’s version of the corset is considered a special occasion piece. It is no longer considered something you wear every day.
Origin
The origin of the corset has been tracked back to 16th century. The original purpose is somewhat of a mystery. The oldest evidence of a corset is a metal cage-like piece. It is unclear if this was the form to make them of the actual corset.
Renaissance
The Renaissance offers little in actual corset pieces. The evidence is found in paintings and dresses. If you look closely at paintings you can see that the corset was not a separate piece. The bodice of the dress was a corset and it was held stiff with pieces of bone or wood. The ties in the back cinch it tightly. The most popular version of the early 1700s pressed the chest flat.
Tudor through the 1900s
By the Tudor period corsets had become a decorated piece of undergarment. The corset between this time and that of the 20th century went through a large change. What was once meant to suppress the female shape slowly became a way to enhance it. The chest eventually was lifted instead of made to lay flat.
Corsets today
Today the corset is worm with Jeans and worn to entice a romantic evening. It is rare that a woman puts on under her clothing. Today’s corsets are nowhere near as restrictive as these once were.