How did Shapewear come to be?
Shapewear isn’t merely a fad of the present day. This clothing has been sought after by ladies since antiquity. The old body shapers were not the same as the ones we use now. They were remarkably diverse; few were thought to be made of whale bones, and only a few contained lead. The rest used iron and other metals in their construction.
A little bit of history, a little bit of mystery
Ancient Greek women wore Shapewear
Girdles are the first type of Shapewear that we can think of. Ancient Greek women wore girdles made of solid linen fabric, wool, or soft leather. These shapers pushed the breasts outwards and cinched the waist, giving them a very tiny appearance.
Embroidered Shapewear of Ancient Roman
Shapers, or more accurately corsets, were also employed by ancient Roman women to augment their curves. Corsets are now worn over clothes as a result of technological advancements. For a more appealing appearance, these shapers were studded and embroidered. These were used with Roman robes for a refined effect.
Shapewear during 16th Century
Steel corsets first appeared in the 16th Century. These were created to emulate a typical female figure. These body shapers cinched the waist and kept the upper body flat. With the traditional skirts known as farthingales, the lower body was fluffier. Because of Queen Elizabeth’s magnificent costumes, this era was dubbed the Elizabethan age.
Shapewear during the Victorian Era
The classic hourglass figure was popularized during the Victorian era, thanks to extraordinary body shapers known as corsets. Whalebones, steel, and other hard metals were used to create these. They created the hourglass shape by squeezing the waist into a visibly smaller size. Women have always been very fashion-conscious, regardless of age.
Shapewear during the 20th Century
The twentieth Century was not fond of curves. These were the days when being thin was fashionable. For a flat and slender appearance, women preferred fitting shapers like teddies and camisoles. Flappers were the name given to these shapers.
During World War II, women modified fashion to meet their needs. This was the era when elastics were used to make Shapewear with a lot of panels. With pockets and hidden storage, these body shapers were practical.
After the war, the evolution of Shapewear.
It was the booming age after the wars. Bullet bras, patterned bras, padded bras, whalebone corsets, and new era textiles like nylon, polyester, and elastic were popular quickly.
Shapewear of the 21st Century
Shapewear of the twenty-first Century is vastly different from that of the past. We have a variety of Shapewear that are far more comfortable and practical. Modern textiles such as lycra, spandex, Powernet, nylon, and others are used to make them. From Bollywood to Hollywood, these actresses have amazing bodies. They are definitely in form, but the shape is worn gives them that extra edge to carry off any outfit with aplomb. It’s fine to create a little illusion as long as it’s lovely.
