Corsets

Corsets are fitted garments designed to shape the torso, typically by cinching the waist and supporting the bust. They consist of multiple fabric panels reinforced with boning and fastened with laces at the back and a front busk or hooks. Modern corsets may be worn over or under clothing.

Boning, traditionally steel or whalebone, provides rigidity, while fabric panels distribute pressure. Overbust corsets cover the bust; underbust corsets end beneath the bust. Styles range from longline hip-length to decorative bustiers, produced in materials such as coutil, cotton, and satin; some use flexible plastic boning for comfort.

Early corsets appeared in Europe in the 16th century as stays or bodices, intended to shape the torso and improve posture. Through the 18th and 19th centuries, silhouettes emphasised a narrow waist. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, excessive lacing defined the iconic hourglass; later styles favored looser fits and different shapes.

Today corsets are worn as fashion, costume, and in some therapeutic contexts. Proper fit and gradual use are important to minimize risks, including restricted breathing and musculoskeletal strain. Medical or fitting guidance is advised for those considering waist training or long-term use.

Corsetry has influenced fashion and body image debates, and the terms relate to related garments such as stays, bustiers, bodices, and waist cinchers, reflecting variations in coverage and constriction.