Small waists have been an object of desire to have an extended while, and ladies around the globe used to dream – and many still dream – of getting a tight, thin waist. The corset – an outfit that makes compression to be able to reduce waist measurements – has a long and controversial history. It has been created many centuries ago and new versions are still available nowadays to help keep modeling and shaping women's bodies.

However, a lot is different because the first corsets were created – and that's what we are going to show you: this article tells the entire history of corsets!

The beginning of everything

It is considered the first corsets were created through the Minoan people around 1,000 B.C. This civilization used to live on the Greek island of Crete, and small waists were an elegance standard among Minoan people. The first picture of a corset comes from the image of a Minoan goddess.

Corsets gain popularity

During the Middle Ages, corsets were not popular at all: the body was seen as sinful, so clothes accustomed to hide the female curves instead of enhancing it.  However, during the 1500s and 1600s women from French court began to idealize small waists – after which corsets began to get worn and got really popular. 

Besides reducing measurements round the stomach, corsets also enhanced the level of the chest and the skirts. Corsets were worn both under and outside the garments and the materials that shaped them were really strong – many of them were  created using whale bones.

Corsets beyond aesthetic

In the 1700's, the intention of wearing corsets wasn't only aesthetic anymore – besides reducing the waist, corsets also aimed to improve the posture. Corsets had shoulder straps that forced shoulders backward in order to maintain an erect posture. The decorations used to be very luxurious, with details in silk and gold trims.

Romantic style

Corsets kept being extremely popular, however in a totally different version from the previous. They were more natural, emphasizing an hourglass figure, easier to wear and with the implantation of hooks.

Early 1900's

Small waists are still an important feature as part of the beauty standard. However the shape of the female figure has changed completely: instead of the hourglass shape, the need was for an “S” body shape. Corsets were designed to force the chest forward and also the hips backward.

World war I makes corsets walk out style

During after World War I, clothing materials got scarce; consequently, the production of elaborated garments, such as corsets, got harder. Clothes were simpler and had a looser shape. Consequently, corsets went of favor.

The revolution of corsets

During the 1920's, modern cosets gained an unessential detail: elastics. That made them flexible, and more comfortable to become worn in an active lifestyle. Even after suffering a decline during World War I, corsets were still popular and mounted on a feminine and sexy image. 

However, across the years, especially the 1960's and 1970's, people quit wearing corsets daily – but nonetheless aimed for smaller waists. Nevertheless, instead of attempting to make the waist smaller through garments, women were investing in solutions like exercises, diets, as well as cosmetic surgery.

Corsets in modern times

Corsets started to be related each time more as something fetishistic and worn by enthusiasts from the burlesque style. However, they never really disappeared from fashion: they come back each time, in innovative and bold styles and compositions. 

In the 1970's, Vivienne Westwood's corsets became famous and its punk aesthetic. Within the 1980's, Thierry Mugler and Jean Paul Gaultier made super famous designs including corsets – incidentally, Gaultier's pink satin corset became iconic after being worn by Madonna on her behalf Blonde Ambition tour.

Stella McCartney, Tom Ford, Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga are also high fashion brands that used corsets in their designs – just like this, corsets got consolidated as a style icon permanently.

^{[1]https://www.vogue.fr/fashion/article/vogues-fashion-encyclopaedia-the-history-of-the-corset}

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