From a ban to a symbol of the sexual revolution: how the corset became a wardrobe must-have

He was a symbol of prohibition at the start of his journey, of the sexual revolution in the 1980s, and of all fashion influencers on Instagram today, from Bella Hadid to Kim Kardashian. The corset has been adored, despised, reborn, and criticized over the course of its existence.But one thing is certain: he has returned to fashion after a long absence and has confidently consolidated his position for the next few seasons.

In our material, we explain how the corset evolved from a coercive measure to the main object of desire for all it-girls.

In general, the corset's history began in the 17th century, when the hourglass figure became fashionable. Girls began to wear iron corsets that could do the almost impossible: tighten the waist to 25 centimeters in pursuit of the desired result and the desire to show their status (at the time, it was believed that the thinner the waist, the richer you are).Corsets were popular for several decades, and it was during this time that people began to talk about their dangers.

Rumors that this wardrobe item deforms the body and organs, as well as the fact that every second person fainted, caused corsets to be worn less frequently, and eventually they were completely abandoned. But only for a short time.They returned at the beginning of the 18th century with a new interpretation - this time with a high waist (exactly the type of corset Scarlett O'Hara tightened in the film "Gone with the Wind"). Along with them, new frightful standards became popular. With Catherine de Medici's deft touch, a waist of 33 centimeters has become the ideal norm.

The excitement surrounding corsets lasted until the early twentieth century, when designer Paul Poiret decided to break with stereotypes and invite girls to wear loose-fitting dresses. The designer's innovation sparked a fashion revolution, which Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli later supported.As a result, the girls gave up corsets and forgot about them for the next 40 years.

Christian Dior breathed new life into them. After WWII, girls yearning for femininity and elegance awaited their savior, who would liberate them from rough skirts, jackets, and blouses. The designer then created the New Look silhouette, which praised wasp waists and fluffy skirts.With this collection, a new chapter in the history of corsets began: Elizabeth Taylor wears them in the film "Raintree County," and Sophia Loren wears them with a large pearl necklace in “Millionaire."

Corsets hit rock bottom in the early 1960s. The new generation made the decision to completely alter cultural values, as well as fashion trends. And the trends for sports and a healthy lifestyle imposed their own conditions, in which corsets had no place. However, this is far from the end of the cult item's story.During the sexual revolution of the 1980s, when transparent textures and dangerous minis ruled the fashion world, the corset played an important role. Then he appeared in the collections of Vivienne Westwood and Issey Miyake for the first time.

The real breakthrough came ten years later, when Madonna took the stage in a corset with a cone bra as part of her Blond Ambition tour. It was written by the legendary Jean-Paul Gaultier, the designer who popularized corsets.

They have since become almost the most important thing of the decade. Designers experimented with sizes and shapes, providing a variety of options: Kate Moss wore a floral print to the Versace show, while Mugler wore all white. Even back then, corsets were no longer just for lingerie and were gradually making their way into our everyday wardrobe.

They finally succeeded last summer. Mostly thanks to Bella Hadid in vintage Vivienne Westwood and the pairing with wide jeans, which literally flooded Instagram.Corsets have been seen in SS 21 collections ranging from denim Moschino to sheer David Koma. Wear them with a single-breasted coat, silk trousers, or denim overalls, according to the designers.The Bridgerton series is another reason for corsets' popularity this season. The demand for the iconic item increased by more than 100 percent after the project was released. As a result, it's only natural that corsets can now be found almost anywhere, from global brands to mass markets. So the corset is your main must-have this summer!