Every woman loves a curvy shape and is moved with the desire to acquire this through various means accessible, from the range of padded underwear to seeking plastic surgeries (BBL). While plastic surgery has recently gained prominence, corset dresses, worn to help women achieve the desired hourglass figure with a cinched waist and accentuated bust and hips, have been around for centuries, from the red carpet of Hollywood to the catwalks of Paris, and have been seen on some of the world’s most stylish celebrities and models.
But what is a corset dress? It turns out that this fashion trend evolves with time as trends come and go like waves on a shore. A peep into history shows that corsets served as a support undergarment worn by European women from the 17th to 20th century to hold and train the torso into a desired shape and posture. They are known for their figure-enhancing silhouette and vintage-inspired charm. Many people love how they accentuate the waist to create a feminine look. Recently, though, evolving fashion trends have brought about the rise of corsets which could be worn as asoebi gowns, wedding dresses, as a top, and many more.
The corset dress trend has been further propelled by the influence of celebrity and social media influencers. Many notable figures have been spotted wearing corset dresses in red carpet, fashion events and in their everyday life. This exposure has contributed to the trend’s widespread popularity and has inspired countless individuals to embrace this fashion style.
Like all fashion trends, the corset’s popularity in the fashion industry seems to be experiencing a drop as new trends constantly emerge causing a drift from the corset. This is sequel to constant complaints about the effects of the corset. For instance, there have been complaints of bodily restrictions with the tight lacing of the corset, which is done to achieve cosmetic modifications to the figure and posture.
While not usually deadly, wearing a tightly laced corset can be quite harmful to the wearer. Tight corsets can reduce lung capacity, cause shortness of breath and fainting, produce skin irritation, compress the ribs, weaken back and chest muscles and have even been known to cause organ deformity. They can also escalate lung conditions such as pneumonia, dangerously reduce digestion, cause constipation, and can also worsen any existing issues within a woman’s reproductive system.
In the successful Netflix series ‘Bridgerton’, actresses India Ria who played Queen Charlotte, Phoebe Dynebor who played Daphne, Nicola Coughlan who played Lady Whistledown, and others complained that tight lacing of the corset undergarment led to difficulty in breathing and hindered movement.
In a March 2022 interview with Glamour Magazine, Actress Simone Ashley shared her grievances against the 16th-century corset clothing turned into a costume.
“I realised when you wear the corset, you just don’t eat. It changes your body. I had a smaller waist momentarily, I had a lot of pain with the corset too, I think I tore my shoulder and bruised my belly,” she said.
A drift from corsets
Fashion in 2024 has taken a turn away from corset attires, with the exploration of new styles and trends that reflect the tastes and preference of ever-evolving fashion enthusiasts. We now begin to appreciate innovative ideas in the fashion industry.
Ankara gowns, for instance, have seen the change from corset gowns with the production of more comfortable, elegant and modest clothing in its classic sense in the fashion world.
The two wrapper gowns
This is an aso-ebi style that visually creates an illusion of two wrappers with its elegant draping, in consonance with the looks of a goddess at any aso-ebi event.
The long straight gowns
An outfit creating the appearance of a gorgeous, classy and matured look in one dress.
The Fulani mid-rift
A more modern and updated design of the Fulani female attire.
