Historic Moments in the Development of Shapewear

Segregating the classes – Corsets (with boning made of whale bone, horn, or metal) elongated the torso, trimmed the silhouette, and improved the posture of regal 16^th century aristocrats.

With revolution in the air during the late 18^th century, royals set aside their corsets and panniers (false hips up to six feet wide!  The goal – to reconnect with the peasants in their simple attire.

1828 saw the invention of the metal eyelet, enabling corsets to be laced even tighter, again the wisp waste was in fashion.  Unfortunately the corset’s constriction of the torso brought on ailments ranging from shortness of breath to liver damage and tuberculosis.

The Edwardian Gibson Girls of the early 1900s favored the “health corset”.  Designed to avoid constriction of the lungs, the garment drew a nipped waist but threw the spin forward, into an unnatural S- shape with a memorable behind.

The roaring 20’s slim silhouette and shorter hemline introduced a bust to thigh pull on girdle made of rubber or elastic.

Dior ushered in “The New Look” (my favorite!) in 1947. A strapless garment with paneled construction and garters was a must to creating the wasp-wasted image popular through the next decade.

The 1960s brought panty hose, freedom, and the women’s revolution.

1998 Sara Blakely and SPANX introduced shapewear as smooth as a second skin.

Today stretch rules!  Shapewear that pinches, pokes, and digs into the skin are all in the past; thanks to BodyScan technology and 21^st century fabrics and construction.