Geneology of the Corset

The corset is used as a means of sexual enhancement. It is worn mainly by women to achieve a certain silhouette. Depending on the era, the type of corset varies to convey the body shape that is popular of the time. It is hard to say where and when the corset originated from, but its popularity was first pronounced sometime between the 1500s and the 1600s and was worn at the time by both males and females.



Stay
16th century
This corset known as a "stay" had shoulder straps and flattened the bust. This helped to achieve a cone shape to the torso.



Short Stay
18th century
The short stay did not focus on flattening the stomach as it predecessor, but was used more as a means of emphasizing the breasts due to the empire style waist fashionable at the time.



Victorian Corset
Mid 19th century
The corset emphasized the hourglass look by cinching the waist and hugging around the hips.



S-curve Corset
Early 1900s (Edwardian)
This corset is straight in the front and has an S-curve to it. It was intended to alleviate pressure off the stomach, giving it its nickname the "health corset." Unfortunately, it caused more problems for the wearer due to its unnatural posture where the torso was pushed forward and the hips protruded back.



Madonna
1990s
Designer: Jean-Paul Gaultier


Model: Abbey Lee
Spring 2009
Designer: Alexander McQueen


Keira Knightley
2007
Designer: Louis Vuitton

Corsets now
Corsets still maintain its primary function as a means of sexual enhancement, but now have become more popular as outerwear as opposed to it prior use as undergarment. They were revived in the 90s by Jean-Paul Gaultier and popularized by stars such as Madonna. The look of the corset has even been incorporated into the outer clothing of jackets, tops, dresses, even bathing suits.