Are Corsets Making A Comeback?!
The simple answer is yes, corsets are definitely having a comeback moment right now, but it might surprise you to learn that it's not the first time. The crazy thing is that they're not making a comeback from the '80s and '90s like most fashion trends that went dormant—they're coming back from the freaking 16th century.
While the corset has a controversial history, some women are reclaiming it as a fashionable wardrobe staple and you don't have to look further than Instagram to find the proof.
The First Corsets Were Made Of Whalebone And Steel
The first true corsets can be traced back to the early 16th century. They were made of fabric and whalebone that encircled a woman's ribs, designed to compress her natural waist.
As technology developed, the whalebone structure of the bodice was replaced with steel which was more rigid (and less forgiving).
The Ideal Corset Shape Changed With Changing Beauty Standards
The design of the corset changed with beauty standards over time, accentuating different parts of the woman's body as the decades passed.
The corsets helped shape a woman's body into distinctive silhouettes. The silhouettes ranged from the popular hourglass shape in the 1800s to the "S" figure of the 1900s.
The Corset Fashion Trend Peaked In The 19th Century In Pop Culture And Society
Corsets were usually worn as an undergarment that helped slim, reshape, and accentuate. The longer bodice corset is pictured above on Rose in a scene from The Titanic.
The mass popularity of the corset as a fashion accessory hit its peak in the 19th century.
Doctors Began Raising Concerns About The Dangers Of The Restrictive Corsets
At the same time, doctors were raising concerns about the effects of the corset on women's bodies, specifically their internal organs. It was not uncommon for women to pass out while wearing the tightly bound corsets due to lack of oxygen.
Doctors' warnings would eventually lead to a decline in their popularity for health reasons.
Today's Modern Corset Is Usually A Shell Of The Traditional Version (AKA It's Not A Torture Device)
Nowadays, your typical corset is a shell of what it used to be. The rigid boning structure has been replaced with flexible thin wire or nothing at all.
The cinch in the waist is provided by hook-and-clasp fixtures down the back or front of the bodice, or by lacing similar to the traditional ones.
Celebrities And Models Are No Strangers To Incorporating Corsets
The resurgence of the corset can be credited to a few different sources. Firstly, high fashion never gave up on the corset. Luxury fashion designers have been including variations of it in their collections for years.
Models and celebrities have been rocking variations of corsets for a long time, like this brown leather corset modeled by Kim Kardashian and Kendall Jenner.
People Are Obsessed With The Fashion In Netflix's Bridgerton
Most recently, the corset craze can be traced back to the Netflix blockbuster series Bridgerton that dropped on Christmas Day in 2020.
The popularity of the show set in 1813 has become so great that it has spawned an entire new-old fashion trend called "Regencycore" inspired by the character's unique fashion from the Regency time period.
The Corset Trend Is Taking Over Instagram
The popularity of the Bridgerton fashion combined with all the celebs who are hopping on the bandwagon makes an easy case for the corset top.
Keep scrolling to see more celebs who are flaunting their corset-style tops and how they are styling them.
The Modern Corset Top Has A Lot Going On
Bella Hadid's busily printed corset top shows just how far the style has evolved.
With clasps in the front, multiple straps, open shoulders, and long sleeves, this is not your average corset top. If anyone was going to welcome the corset to 2021, it was Bella.
Kylie Jenner Serving Regencycore
Kylie Jenner is screaming Regencycore in this floral dress and corset combo.
The blush pink color, endless flowing frills, and pouffy sleeves are pulled together by a gorgeous vintage corset, bound on the outside of the dress.
Billie Eilish In A Vintage Printed Silk Corset
Billie Eilish dropped jaws when she uploaded this selfie wearing a vintage-inspired corset.
The silk material and bright text design are doing exactly what she wants them to and people online took notice.
Megan Fox Looks Like A Modern Barbie In Her Corset-Inspired Pantsuit
Megan Fox made the internet collectively gasp when she rolled up to the iHeart Radio Music Awards in this corset-inspired bubblegum pink pantsuit.
She stood out in the crowd in her satin skin-tight one-piece. My only question is how did she pee?
Gigi Hadid Rocks A Floral-Patterned Corset Top
In this snap, Gigi Hadid wears a floral-patterned black corset top with a front zipper feature. Clearly, both sisters appreciate a good corset-inspired moment.
The top basically speaks for itself with the visible ribbing and the low-cut neckline.
Kylie Jenner Goes Corset Glam
Kylie Jenner's corset party dress that was custom designed for her 23rd birthday wouldn't have looked out of place on Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s.
She nails classic Hollywood glam with a modern crystal feature up the structured part of the bodice.
Billie Eilish In Corset-Inspired Fashion For Vogue Magazine
Billie Eilish was well-known for her tomboy clothing style that was usually characterized by baggy t-shirts and shorts.
She really blew people's minds when her Vogue cover story dropped featuring her in an array of beautifully designed, custom-made lingerie and dresses, all featuring corsets.
Elsa Hosk Knows How To Work Her Angles
Elsa Hosk is one of the reigning queens in the world of high fashion. She knows the power of a good angle and beautiful clothing, and those two things collide in this photo.
Her beautiful corset top clasps in the front and is patterned with a bright floral design.
Hailey Bieber Loves A Corset Moment
Mrs. Hailey Bieber is known for slaying a corset moment. Of course, partial credit is due to her stylist Maeve Reilly.
This satin red number was modernized with multiple thin straps and complemented by her diamond jewelry.
Kylie Jenner Pulling Off A Leather Corset And Matching Pants
Kylie's brown leather corset top is modern and unique while maintaining a nod to the traditional corset style.
Her long braid complements the outfit to pull the whole look together.
Megan Fox Breaking Hearts In This Corset-Top Gray Dress
I needed a moment to recover after I saw this photo of Megan Fox for the first time. Her gray corset bodice with matching fitted dress was a lot to take in, in the best way possible.
Celebrity stylist Maeve Reilly strikes again.
Kim Kardashian In A Ball Gown With A Corset Bodice
Kim Kardashian probably has more corsets in her closet than any other person in 2021. Okay, she probably has more everything in her closet to be fair.
Regardless, she truly does love a corset moment and for that reason, she made this list a few times. Her burnt orange dress has traditional ruching and boning but a modern off-the-shoulder neckline.
Bella Hadid Making A Case For Denim Corsets
Bella Hadid makes a case for the denim corset in this picture from her sister Gigi's birthday party.
The shape of the denim corset elongates her body before tapering into a V shape.
Billie Eilish Slaying Another Custom Corset
Billie Eilish stuns in another custom corset dress from her Vogue cover shoot story.
The beautiful vintage-inspired corset gown clashes with the ultra-modern latex gloves and stockings.
Kim Kardashian In A Traditional Corset For The 2019 Met Gala
Kim Kardashian brought back the extremely restrictive corset for her appearance at the 2019 Met Gala.
She trained her body for weeks before relying on a team of multiple people to help squeeze her body into the corset and tie it as tight as physically possible. She struggled to sit and breathe in the Thierry Mugler-designed piece of wearable artwork, but it remains one of her favorite looks.
The Kardashian Family Selling "Waist Trainers"
The Kardashian family is well-known for their love of advertising "waist trainers," as pictured above.
Call it whatever you want to but a waist trainer is a modern-day corset.
Corset Tops Don't Always Have To Be Fancy, They Can Be Casual Too
The corset top doesn't always have to be luxury or high fashion and this is another example of a basic corset-inspired top that can be worn more casually.
Hailey Bieber looks business casual in her corset top and high-waisted jeans.
