Corset Ads Ephemera Sheet
This free printable ephemera sheet features a collection of vintage corset ads. I suppose corsets were the original shapewear since they were meant to train the body into a curvy shape by reducing the waist, thereby making the bust and hips appear larger.
The corset dates back to ancient times. There is evidence of corsets being worn by Minoan women on the island of Crete as early as 2000 BCE. During the 16th century, corsets were worn by European women to achieve a fashionable hourglass figure. These early corsets were made from linen or canvas and were stiffened with reeds or whalebone.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the corset became very popular and was worn by women of all social classes. During this time, corsets were often tightly laced and worn to create a small waist and a fashionable silhouette. This led to the development of the "S-bend" corset, which pushed the hips back and the bust forward, creating a more dramatic hourglass shape.
They were mostly abandoned in the 1920s, in favor of girdles and bras. They have experience revivals from time to time over the years, but usually as outerwear. I think we can all be grateful for the advent of modern shapeware and its stretchy forgiveness.
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