by: Wendy Yeager
Up through the Victorian Ages, corsets were very popular with women. Corsets were worn to reduce waist size. A tiny waist made for an attractive figure.
Corsets were made from different materials over the years, including: stiffened linen, wood, whalebone, and wrought iron. Corsets were designed to cinch up very tightly in the back in order to restrict the waist size. Corsets also restricted movement, forcing a straighter posture. It was shameful for women to show any pain or discomfort felt by the severely tight corsets. Unfortunately, many women were not strong enough to endure the punishment of the tight corsets and would experience numbness in their body, trouble breathing, fainting, and even cracked ribs.
Luckily for us women, somebody decided corsets had to go! Today corsets are designed to be both beautiful and functional.
Some corsets are tailored in a camisole style and are made of flexible material which is comfortable for daywear. They are very comfortable under clothing, yet still accentuate curves.
Other corsets are more appropriate for evening wear. Many of these corsets feature boning for shaping and contoured cups. Some are waist cinching and lace snugly up the back, while others have seams down the front replicating the vintage corset look. Corsets can be found as a camisole style or as longer ones which can be worn with garters and thigh high stockings. Most corsets are made from beautiful fabrics and sheer lace. They are available in a variety of colors, including: white, ivory, pink, blue, lavender, red and black.
So, whether you want a corset to make you feel pretty and demure or just want one for comfort and body shaping, theres a corset just right for you!