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Showing posts from August, 2017

What is a Corset?

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A corset is an item of clothing worn to help shape the upper body into a desired shape for aesthetic, or sometimes orthopedic, reasons (either while wearing it, or for more permanent results). Men and women have both worn and still wear corsets. https://www.corsetsqueen.com The craft of making corsets is known as corsetry, as is the general wearing of them. A person who designs and makes corsets is a corsetier (for a man) or corsetière (for a woman), or simply a corset maker. The most popular use of corsets is to shape the body into a beautiful, fashionable silhouette shape. For women this usually emphasizes a curvy figure, by reducing the waist, and thereby exaggerating the bust and hips. However corsets have also been worn to achieve a more tubular shape although this is less common. For men, corsets are more customarily used to slim the figure. However, there was a period from around 1820 to 1835 when an hourglass figure was also desirable for men; this was somet...

Why is the corset still in fashion?

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W hy is the corset still in fashion? The presence in contemporary wardrobes of a garment from the 19th century, physically oppressive and associated with women’s inferior status, suggests that somehow the image of the corset still finds an echo in our societies - though perhaps its meaning has evolved and changed. The disappearance and reappearance of the waist training corset in 20th century fashion seem to be linked to the cyclical changing of female shapes, especially to the waist being enhanced or concealed.ggg Wearing a corset can also be a visual signifier of one’s inclusion in a particular subculture. Goth, punk, or steampunk style is also somewhat subject to trends, but corsets like stripey socks will never truly go out, though their details and styling may change. Historical reenactors and thespians also embrace corsetry, in various shades from costume to couture. Burlesque performers often enjoy wearing corsets both onstage and off. Steel boned corsets are...