Korsett

A Korsett, known in English as a corset, is a garment designed to shape the torso by constraining the waist and supporting the bust. It may be worn as underwear or outerwear and has also served medical as well as aesthetic purposes across centuries.

Most corsets consist of a fabric shell reinforced by stiffening elements such as boning and a rigid front closure. Boning can be steel, plastic, or whalebone; a busk runs along the center front for rigidity. Lacing at the back or front tightens the garment. Materials range from coutil and satin to leather or brocade.

The corset has a long history, beginning in the Renaissance era and evolving through the 18th and 19th centuries into highly cinched silhouettes. In the Victorian era the waist was drastically narrowed, creating the hallmark hourglass shape. In the 20th century, fashion shifted toward less restrictive undergarments, but corsets remained in use for costumes and specialized wear.

Variants include underbust and overbust designs, bridal corsets, waist cinchers, and medical corsets. They are used for waist training, aesthetic shaping, or back support. Fit, panel construction, and gradual tightening influence both comfort and effectiveness.

Today corsets are produced by mainstream fashion brands and specialized corsetieres. They appear in haute couture, theater, and subcultures. Discussions about health, body image, and consent accompany their use, and proper sizing and gradual tightening are advised to minimize risk.