Corset History
There were many different kinds of corsets that date back to the 15th century. It is hard to say if they were made before that period of time because of the lack of evidence. Corsets were most always worn by both the upper class women and men. Many types of corsets have been worn throughout history for many different reasons. Originally created as under garments to shape the body by shrinking the waist down to a minimum of twelve inches, or augmenting the bust, we see many modern designs created solely as fashionable outerwear.
In the beginning of the 15th century, a resemblance of the corset started as breastplates and armor men wore. Later in the century, the Gothic period shaped fashion into more formfitting attire. Although there were no official corsets at the time, bodices that were stiffened with extra fabric and brass or wire started to make appearances. By the Renaissance Era, 16th Century, men started fashion of polished and decorated breastplates for top officials. Women in Spain began to desire a more figure representing fashion as well and hence developed the corset. The first corsets were made out of heavy fabric, canvas, or leather and stiffened with wood or metal. The first corsets were not intended to decrease the size of ones waist, simply accentuate it and create an announcement of wealth or upper class. During this period of time many different countries developed their own style from Spain’s style of corset. In England, the Tudor Corset utilized iron corset covers for both men and women, while France, Germany, and Italy preferred a less stiff style to create a wider hip. Toward the end of the Renaissance Era, 16th Century, Queen Elizabeth I created the "Elizabethan Corset" inspired by the Tudor, but with a less rigid and emphasized waist.
In Europe the 17th Century Baroque made its mark with art and architecture and emphasized dramatic curving forms, elaborate ornamentation, and an overall balance of disparate parts. Corsets became smaller, utilized more curves, and tightlacing made its first appearance.
The 18th Century the style of art was "Rococo", which encompassed playful, shell-shaped decoration. The corsets in this time period had more decorations, maintained a strait front, and used whale bones to create stiffness (hence the term whaleboning). Slowly, corsets became part of the outer garment. This design needed shoulder straps and hip gussets to have a smooth transition to the skirt. Toward the end of the century the waistline was moved up to underneath the bust line (empress waist) which resulted in the “divorce corset.”
19th Century corsets were laced down the back and in the front from the lower chest to the waist, such as the riding corset. The corset obtained elaborate bust cups and a new front closing mechanism called the busk. Throughout the century corsets became more "technically advanced". The busk improved and back laces were pulled through metal eyelets (or grommets). Corsets began to see mass production that few could afford. Styles began to vary from the Victorian Corset (1900-1914) to the Edwardian Corset (1900-1910), and made out of many different types of fabrics.
The 20th century found itself tight at the waist to create an "S-line" corset. It allowed the bust to be forced forward and the buttocks backward. WWI saw a dramatic decline in the fashion of corsets. Health problems from extreme tightlacing was documented more throughly and the leg began to creep in as a woman's sexy attribute, rather than a tiny waist pair with cleavage. The bra was invented and the underbust corset gained popularity as they were cheaper to make. Modern corsets incorporate all styles, are made from many types of fabrics, for fashion, function, and fetish.
Article by Cassie Bowers, thank you Cassie!
http://staylace.com/
http://www.corsetted.com/info.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corset
http://www.costume.dm.net/corsets/history.html
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/encyclopedia/c/co/corset.htm
http://www.answers.com/topic/corset
http://www.victoriana.com/directory/corsets.html
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