Corset Transition in the Fashion World
By Babalola Blessing
The corset, since its reemergence, has become a highly sought-after one-piece garment. It has gone from being an elite wear to discomforting wear which was after eradicated through social agitation. However, it has now made a regal comeback with designers creating styles that suit to various body shapes and personal tastes, from it.
How it all started
Corset is a structured undergarment that was commonly worn by women, especially in countries like Europe, Italy, amongst others. However, the first appearance of a similar fashion sense can be traced to the Minoans on the island of Crete. A piece made of linens called “strophe” was wrapped around the midsection of the body and tightly tied to create a slimming effect. Ancient Greece also has evidence of something similar called “apodeme” to shape and support their breasts. It was also a piece of linen wrapped around the chest and tied in the back.
Corsets were worn as undergarments and usually made of stiff material that would hold the body in place, creating a slender waistline and an elongated torso to give women a defined and refined look. Made of fabrics that were reinforced with rigid materials like whale bone or steel to define the upper bodies of women back in the early centuries. Usually laced at the back, making it adjustable to ensure it could be tightened and loosened at the wearer's preference. They are fastened with eyelets at the front or at the back, and it could be both for some.
The pieces of clothing, worn as undergarments as far back as the 16th century, didn't gain more prominence until the Middle Ages. The stiffening undergarments that pushed the breast up, defined the waist into a slender frame, and made the hip pronounced came in different designs. It is also worthy to note that some corsets served an orthopedic purpose, and those are usually made of steel. Other than that, it became a piece peculiar to royalties and referenced women in the society.
The Exit
However, in Europe, the Enlightenment age didn't really favour women in the society, especially journeying through their daily life roles. The norms of the society coerced women into wearing corsets at all times, regardless of where they were and what they were doing; the trunks with eyelets must be fastened to their upper body. This was to make them physically appealing to the male gender. Advocates began to emphasize how the practice had restricted women's rights in the 18th century, limiting their breathing space and emphasizing the one-way interest of the male counterpart only. Then, dress reform and practical female clothing options were presented after it had been proven that the undergarments caused skeletal and organ deformities amongst women..
To this cause, women aired their displeasure with the culture of corsets even while they were at their duty posts as housewives, just to fulfill the traditional notion of femininity focusing on physical appearance rather than achievement. Further scientific research proved that the tight lacing did cause impeded lung expansion during respiration, and its effect on back and pectoral muscle cannot be overlooked. And the corset's reign took a break.
Women began to explore activities outside household chores and babysitting, and this gave them the liberty to explore free dress and outfits which they clamoured for. Their engagement in sports, balls, and dinners gave a shift from the regular corset to sport-fit corsets and free-drape gowns. They rather focused on eating healthier and exercising well to achieve a defined body shape rather than tightening themselves with an undergarment. Designers stopped making the design and resiled to making only what the women deemed fit for them: flowing dresses with no bones.
The reemergence:
Later, in the late 20th century, certain designers like Jean Paul Gaultier refurbished the corset to create a symbol of women's empowerment, and this movement birthed the transition from the piece being an undergarment to a sophisticated outerwear that graces the wearer's bodice. Then it came again, showing up in dinners and gala nights on celebrities like it never left. This proves the continual changes in women's fashion that seem not to be ending soon. And that was not the regular wear for house chores like in the 16th century but rather a piece that shows only on special occasions and on influential public figures.
And Now
Corsets have made waves in the last four years and it seems to have come to stay; their reign not ending soon. Its first appearance came with the Ankara corset top with mermaid skirt or straight skirt, owanbe lace gloriously sitting with eyelets and lace, giving the slender definition to the waist, replicating the hourglass.
But even beyond, corsets have found their way into the corporate world, giving more class to corporate outfits and elevating the wearer's confidence. A shirt, a corset, and pants trousers can pass for any.
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