A piece of lingerie marked by several centuries of history, the corset is an emblematic garment that is once again arousing tremendous enthusiasm. It is now available in many other forms, and their purpose? To enhance bust support and shape the figure with ever greater flexibility.
To understand the evolution of the corset through the ages and why it’s back in fashion today, Glamuse takes you on a journey back in time. This is your chance to discover our lovely selection of corsets.
📸 On the cover photo (from left to right): Aubade « Hypnolove » basque, Maison Close « Inspiration Divine » waist cincher
A DAZZLING COMEBACK
As original as it is glamorous, the return to this trend has been inspired in part by the globally successful Netflix series: Bridgerton. Adapted from the novels written by Julia Quinn, this saga (season 3 of which is currently being filmed and is eagerly awaited by its many fans) has brought back some forgotten pieces, such as the empire dress and… the corset , of course. Some even wear it as a fully-fledged top- the street is its new playground, that’s a fact.
Popular for their seductive qualities, the corset and its variations are making a comeback in sexy lingerie…
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Worn in the strictest intimacy, or accessorised in the manner of an assertive undergarment, the corset has become the media must-have of the new season. And with good reason!
For those of you who, like us, are fascinated by corseted silhouettes but are also attached to comfort, here are a few alternatives. These can be worn for day or evening, as many celebrities do.
Basque: direct heir to the corset
A popular choice for romantic rendezvous, the basque is a particularly glamorous piece of lingerie with a vintage feel. Like the contemporary version of the corset, it elongates the bust while emphasising the shape. The feminine silhouette is haute couture and sublimated.
The waist cincher: targeted action to accentuate curves
A delicious variation on the original corset, the waist cincher takes on a completely different shape. Often fitted with removable ties, it belongs to the garter belt family. Depending on the model and how you decide to wear it, this enveloping piece starts below the bust and ends at the edge of the panties.
The third piece in a luxury lingerie set or a stylish accessory, the waist cincher is sure to get noticed. Some women even wear them without stockings, just for the look they give to the ensemble.
EVEN MORE WAIST CINCHERS and GARTER BELTS ►
The bustier bra: for an assertive look
Worn as a croptop, under an oversized blazer to keep up with the latest trends or away from prying eyes, the bustier bra covers (as its name suggests) the upper part of the bust. It provides support while emphasising the bust, and requires an upright posture so as not to pucker the fabric that continues under the bust. In the end, the corset inspiration here isn’t as far removed as you might think… just much more wearable and adoptable for everyday wear!
Once upon a time… the corset
From Antiquity to the Renaissance: its first appearances
Supposedly already present in Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, the ancestor of the corset can be traced back to the Minoan civilisation on the island of Crete (around 1700 BC). It was a curved garment that flattened the skirt over the hips and slimmed the waist, while enhancing the bust without covering it.
The contemporary version of the corset did not really emerge until the Renaissance. It became the prerogative of noblewomen at the Spanish court, and became a distinctive sign of wealth and uprightness, firmness of morals and posture. Laced at the back and fitted with large wooden or ivory stays, it held the back and crushed the breasts to conceal the female form.
The corset continues to evolve: a hindrance or a blessing?
It was in the 16th century that the corset became widely worn. On the strength of its success, it gained in popularity throughout the courts of Europe, particularly in France and England.
Gradually, the more modest classes adopted a less rigid version. These models were designed more to flatten and shape the bust.
After disappearing briefly during the revolutionary period, corsets in the early 19th century were designed to reduce the waistline and support the breasts, rather than crushing them. Metal whalebones became popular, replacing the traditional baleen plates. The corset was shortened by a few centimetres before being lengthened again to provide the sculpted silhouette of the Victorian era.
1900s: disgrace and transition
The Belle Epoque marked a real turning point in the history of this iconic piece of lingerie. S-shaped silhouettes became fashionable. With the new « Edwardian » corsets – also known as « straight ahead » corsets – the buttocks were thrown back and the arch accentuated by a very rigid bust.
Belle Epoque « Edwardian » corset (© Pinterest)
The corset then reached one of its most severe and restrictive variations. This led to its gradual rejection after the First World War. Women took up jobs in factories and hospitals, becoming the vast majority of working women. Sculpting lingerie, which saved time and made everyday wear easier, took over.
This, in turn, was followed by a genuine innovation that was to become and remain the benchmark for lingerie:
the bra. The bra perfectly fulfils one of the primary functions of the corset: to support the bust.
In 2023, fine lingerie pieces such as the reinvented corset, the basque and other waist cinchers are still at the top of the market. In the privacy of the bedroom, but also when fully accessorised to become the centrepiece of our look. It’s a trend that’s here to stay, to the delight of lovers of beautiful lingerie.
