-->

• A corset is a garment designed to make a person's body, typically a woman's body, conform to a certain shape through the use of rigid stays and strong fabrics.

• Fast Facts

  1. Types of corsets include: Underbust, Overbust, and the Waist cincher
  2. Usage became widespread in the 16th Century
  3. Popularity peaked in the 19th Century
  4. Usage declined heavily in the 20th Century

• Construction and Usage

  Corsets are typically made of cloth or leather and stiffened with boning, or stays, which are inserted into channels in the cloth or leather. In the 19th Century, whalebone, ivory, wood, or cane were used as boning. Today, plastic is the most commonly used material.

  Corsets are tightened and bound together with lacing. The most common use of a corset is to slim the waist and create a curvy silhouette. Some corsets cover the breasts while others begin under them. A corset may include garters to hold up stockings.

• Infamous Corset Wearers in Film

  1. 1939: Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind
  2. 1993: Holly Hunter as Ada McGrath in The Piano
  3. 2001: Nicole Kidman as Satine in [[Moulin Rouge!|Moulin Rouge]]
  4. 2003: Kate Beckinsale as Selene in Underworld

  Corsets need to be broken in to allow them to mould to the shape of the wearer. This allows the corset to gain a more natural shape and lets the wearer get used to having a corset on. Mio Destino Corsets: Corset guide (April 4th, 2009)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Bras | Wonderbra | Panties | Lingerie | Bikinis | Jeans | Clothing | How to Buy a Bra

Categories

• View History
• Discuss on the Message Board
• Embed this Page
• Share this page