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Tightlacing returns in the 20th & 21st century
Corsets and Tightlacing have made a recent comeback since the 1990's. Individuals of all ages have rediscovered the elegance and the self confidence that corsets bring, replacing old stigma's of suppression and martyrdom. And as the wearer can use it to control, rather than being controlled, it is also becoming ironically a feminist item. With this return we also see a renewed investigation into the long term health aspects. The study is now much more objective compared to the past and based on actual research, and also by comparing the effects of corseting to maternity.
The goal of modern corseting is to enhance and improve the body shape in a safe and responsible manner. With these pages I aim to provide some background and a comparison of the past and present. For those who remain fearful and skeptical of corseting, I will provide some clarification, as to how and what, as well as discuss health concerns. Fortunately the number of people that have rediscovered the garment in a positive way, is growing steadily. There are no cracked ribs, fainting or debility, instead today corsets are worn in comfort and with confidence. Those who have had the opportunity to try on a properly fitted corset are very often "hooked" and only wished they had started sooner!
Corseting is not at all new and has been practiced throughout human history. For example the Minoan Snake Goddess, approx. 1600 BC, is usually depicted with a corseted torso. What draws attention is the degree of modification. Today, light modification from a girdle, all-in-one, & long-line bra or waist cincher is considered acceptable and not unusual. A laced corset however, draws attention because it's long standing symbolism and overt action. The bra, girdle and all-in-one are meant to enhance, but also to be concealed, allowing the wearer to pretend having a better physique. The corset's effect by comparison is dramatic, and with a clear shaping purpose if worn as an outside garment. It simultaneously expresses independence, femininity and elegance, but also power and dominance. Men of all orientations, are into wearing corsets as well, primarily because they enjoy the support and the feeling of constriction. From this perspective the corset is gender neutral. A particular shape will enhance gender specific features, but by itself constriction and body modification is not gender or orientation specific.
There is much debate...
on what level of constriction is desirable or reasonable. Nowadays, unexpected discomfort from our clothes is simply not tolerated, although some level of accustomization is not unexpected, for example from wearing high heels or tight jeans. The key to enjoying special clothing such as corsets, is all about taking time to get used to it. An initial comfortable 2" corset reduction for example, will immediately produce figure and posture benefits without feeling oppressive, and in time, further reductions will become equally comfortable. The level of reduction is determined by the wearer, not anyone else. In general, modern wearers experience corset wearing as supportive and pleasant and may lace tighter over time because of the enjoyment of doing so. For more details on this and what is safe and what not, read the "How to" section.
Corset wearing is cyclic, with the last appearance after WWII with the "New Look" , only to disappear again during the 1960's and '70's. Then, during the late 1980's, fashion rediscovered the appeal of corsets and associated figure and posture benefits. We have since learned and confirmed that tight-lacing did not cause any of the evil problems associated with corset wearing. Rather, these had more to do with poor hygiene and limited medical knowledge. Most if not all of the horror stories appear to be urban legends. If anything, corseting itself tends to lead to healthier eating habits because certain foods, such as fatty foods, are less well tolerated and avoided over time. The often mentioned rib removal of the lower floating pairs is now viewed as highly unlikely, as suitable surgical methods were not available at the time. It is also unnecessary, as these lower ribs are brought in by corseting with little effort. See the "Health" section for further discussion.
The late 1990's bring a steady revival of the old practice, which continues into the 2000's. In evidence is the growing number of corset makers responding to an increasing demand for the garment.
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