Crazy About Corsets

I am officially crazy about corsets. This fascination began just before I finished my recent corset post. The more corsets and corset dresses I looked at the more I was drawn to them. They are the epitome of femininity and the perfect way to spice up an outfit. I feel the need for a very brief ditty so bear with me: "Oh corset how I do adore thee, from the depths of my inner femme fatale to the breadth of my superwoman persona."

I love the marriage between corset and, fill in the blank with your choice of a separate from a skirt to trousers because any separate can pair superbly with the right corset. I also adore the mash up between corset and dress. Since I concluded my post about corsets, worn solely to lose weight, I have been bursting with the need to proclaim that the corsets worn for fashions sake are beyond divine. I am not alone in this feeling based on the comments I received from many of you after my corset post.

I could not resist browsing through a parade of corsets and corset dresses to bring you those that I am simply crazy about. I rounded up several photos of corsets, corset dresses and celebrities wearing corset dresses anywhere from the period of 2003 to 2013 to prove my point that corsets can rule the runway, the red carpet and anywhere in between.


I chose a ten year period because I was curious about whether there were any design changes in corsets and corset dresses. I will let you decide whether or not designers have remained consistent in the design of corsets or whether there are huge style variations. I think you''ll note after reviewing the images that certain designers are over the moon for corset dresses and so are celebrities.



Jean Paul Gaultier, in my opinion, loves such corsets so much that he has truly become an innovator in regards to the construction of corset dresses. While many of his corset dresses could not be worn, except perhaps by Lady Gaga and maybe Nicki Minaj, I could not ignore his historic impact in regards to corset design. If you research his costumes for Madonna during her Truth or Dare tour you will discover a treasure trove of images. I did not feature any of the corsets he designed for Madonna because they were prior to the period I focused on for this post.

Dolce & Gabbana and Versace feel the love for corset dresses as well because they have consistently placed them into their collections throughout the years. I consider their designs to be based on pure romanticism in all its glory. No wonder celebrities are drawn to corset dresses by these designers.

Now that you have browsed through the images what do you think? Are you a lover of corsets or a hater?

The Corset: It's a Cinch

The latest weight loss craze is attributed to the corset, an undergarment that literally was responsible for sweeping women off their feet hundreds of years ago. Today, women are going back to the history books by wearing corsets for a long-lasting figure-shaping power punch. Before I proceed further, I must explain that I am referring to corsets which by design and purpose are similar to corsets worn by women during the Elizabethan and Victorian era. I am not referencing corsets that are prescribed by doctors for medical reasons such as back support. Note: The header photo is courtesy of Chanel News.

I have always thought of corsets worn in the 16th and 17th centuries as torture devices; mainly because they were notorious for causing women to faint from a lack of oxygen. Now, corsets are being hailed by many as the diet that’s not a diet which is rather incredulous since the “corset diet” does not in any way promote the inclusion of healthy eating habits and exercise. In my opinion, healthy eating habits and exercise must combine to create an effective daily diet. Wearing a corset can not in any way compare to the efficacy of healthy living; however, to each her own. The corset diet, in my opinion, is just going too far to achieve a fashionable appearance. I am just grateful that women no longer have to wear corsets for fashion’s sake. I have enough to deal with in the morning than wondering about how I am going to get my corset laced-up even if it looks as glamorous as the corsets below.

Corsets Designed by Hubert Barrere; Source

My reason for not being a big fan of the ‘corset diet’ is because it does not really address the importance of a healthy diet and exercise. It is in some ways a shortcut to achieve a desired figure that at first seems great because it is a quick way to re-shape the torso and reduce the waist. When I discovered that women reportedly lose an estimated six pounds per week while on the ‘corset diet’ I was really impressed; however, there are other implications that must be considered. Waist-binders that replicate the purpose of corsets from hundreds of years ago will surely cause the same side effects: damaged organs and skin and restricted breathing. Those are not minor side effects, in my opinion.

Chanel Corset Top; Source

Why can’t there be a bustier trend instead of a corset trend? I consider bustiers to be the much more appealing distant cousin to corsets. I know they won’t make your waist shrink but who cares when they’ll enhance your cleavage. I’ll take the cleavage-enhancer over the waist-clincher any day. Bustiers are comfortable, they enhance the bust, they are chic and they serve a dual purpose. They can be paired with trousers or skirts to glam effect or worn as lingerie. Why couldn’t Karl Lagerfeld have made bustiers a centerpiece of the Chanel Pre-Spring 2014 runway show instead of corset dresses? I can not deny, however, that Mr. Lagerfeld knows how to design the types of corsets and corset dresses that have a higher level type of appeal. As a consequence, I am two-faced when it comes to certain types of corsets. The corsets worn by models and celebrities at major events are simply irresistible. I think you will agree that the corset dresses below are magnificent.

Rita Ora in a Corset Dress with Karl Lagerfeld; Source

Rihanna in a Corset Dress: Source

Actress Jessica Alba reported that she wore a doublet corset for about three months to achieve her desired post-pregnancy shape after delivering her baby. She also exercised, focused on healthy eating and drank lots of water so I will give kudos to her for placing value on a healthy lifestyle. I suspect that a portion of her weight loss was attributed to a feeling of fullness which is natural if wearing a tight corset. There would not be much of an inclination to eat a heavy meal if your stomach is going to be compressed against stiff material. It gives a new meaning to the phrase, ”I have a stomach ache.” I don’t know about you but to me wearing a corset 10 to 12 hours a day does not seem like a fashion-worthy endeavor.

What do you think? Is it worthwhile to wear a waist-cincher for a good portion of the day in order to achieve an hourglass figure?

Related Stories:

Huffington Post, The 'Corset Diet ' Is Not A Diet At All. It's Just Scary.

Daily Beast, You Should Probably Pass on This Whole 'Corset Diet' Fad.

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