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The foremost image that comes to mind when one hears the term corset is the colonial women with tiny waists, rounded, bulging breasts and full hips. That was the fashion of the time, and that is what we see most often, especially in portraits of colonial American women. From the look on some of their faces, its no wonder the bra replaced the corset! The most common use of the corset is to slim the body and exaggerate the bust and hips. In some periods though, the illusion of a straight up-and-down shape, minimizing the bust and hips, was desired. This look was achieved by the straight-fronted corset. Today a good bra, properly fitted, can showcase a woman’s body in its most favorable light.
In the past, a woman's corset was an additional layer of underwear, usually worn over a sleeveless low-necked gown made of washable cotton or linen. The gown, like a man’s t-shirt today, was worn to absorb perspiration and keep the corset and the gown clean.
The overbust corset extends from just under the arms to hips, and encloses the torso. The underbust corset begins just below the breasts and extends to the hips. Some corsets extend ever farther – over the hips—and (rarely) past the hips to the knees. A corset that covers the waist from low on the ribs to just above the hips is called a waist cincher, for obvious reasons! Garters to hold up stocking can also be included as part of a corset. Today a bra, panties and garter belt can be purchased and worn separately or together as a set.
During the 1920s, girdles and brassieres replaced the corset and the corset fell out of favor. Today, an article originally intended as lingerie, is worn as outwear in some fashion circles, and as costume wear.
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