Corset History (Part 1)

First "corset" (Zone) depictions: Minoan snake goddess sculpture, artwork of both men and women

Medieval ages: Body = sinful, corsets weren't needed

1500s:

Gained popularity in the 16th century as undergarments; origin Italian (no concrete evidence of Catherine de Medici being the concept creator) then introduced to France. In the 1550s, Britain got to it. The Renaissance was a era of movement away from the Church and towards being your own self.

Buckrams, ivory, leather, wood, and bents were used to achieve the ideal stiff body. For the common people, it was cotton-linen blends along with reeds and whatever else found to stiffen it. Near the end of the 1500's, whale bone was used. Shoulder straps were on every bodice to help support the breasts and keep them the corset in place. The straps were on the shoulders. Side lacing changed to being in the front or the back. The stomacher was used to cover the front of the corset and lacing. Effigy/rough draft corsets were made of 2 front pieces & 1 back piece and whip-stitched together (adjustable for weight loss or gain).

If a pair of bodies along with bents or whale bone is mentioned = corset. Other clues: farthingales, petticoats, other undergarments

If pair of bodies along with sleeves = gown

1600s:

The British monarchy restored power and so did the Catholic Church, leading to more conservative and elegant dress. Pair of bodies became "pair of stays". Lace was made of hemp or linen thread; sometimes elabarote, ribbons were attached for extra flair. Sometimes, sleeves were attached to the corset. The straps descended to the top of the arms. By 1630, elite women abandoned doublets and all men had adopted them. They were worn over stays or without. These stays were made of rich material and peeked out from under robes. 

English name: Corsets (never "corset")

French name: Corps 

In the later decades, the style became simpler and rounder. Mid century straps were now located off the shoulder and across the arm, making an oval neckline. 1650 --> bodice reached waist, going lower. The sides went over the hips with the whale bones in the tabs, preventing being poked in the waist; diagonal side seams. The stays were either fully or half boned. 

By the end, the corset was worn on the outside of skirts or dresses. Tabs hold up petticoats.

Sources

https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/corsets-crinolines-and-bustles-fashionable-victorian-underwear

https://silhouettescostumes.com/the-eras-we-build/history-of-corsets-1780-1912/

https://corset-story.co.uk/blogs/news/the-history-of-corsets

https://www.eriehistory.org/blog/the-changing-silhouette-of-victorian-womens-fashions-the-history-of-the-corset

http://www.elizabethancostume.net/corsets/history.html#intro

https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/arts-culture-society/the-ins-and-outs-of-the-corset