The Victorian corset is perhaps one of the most iconic and controversial garments in fashion history. Worn by women throughout the 19th century, the corset was designed to shape the female body into an hourglass figure, with a tiny waist and exaggerated hips and bust. While the corset was considered a symbol of femininity and elegance, it was also a source of great discomfort and restriction, both physically and socially.

The corset’s primary function was to mould the body into a fashionable shape, and during the Victorian era, this meant achieving an impossibly narrow waist. Corsets were often laced so tightly that they restricted breathing and movement, leading to a variety of health problems, including fainting, digestive issues, and even permanent damage to the ribs and internal organs. Despite these drawbacks, the corset remained a staple of women’s fashion for decades, as it was seen as essential to achieving the ideal feminine silhouette.

But the corset was more than just a garment—it was also a symbol of the rigid gender roles and societal expectations placed on women during the Victorian era. Women were expected to be modest, submissive, and decorous, and the corset reinforced these ideals by physically restricting their movement and forcing them into a posture of fragility and passivity. The tight-laced corset was a visual representation of the control that society exerted over women’s bodies, shaping not just their physical appearance but also their behavior and place in society.

As the 19th century progressed, however, the corset began to face growing opposition. The Rational Dress Movement, which emerged in the late 1800s, advocated for more practical and comfortable clothing for women, arguing that fashion should not come at the expense of health or freedom. By the early 20th century, the corset had largely fallen out of favour, replaced by looser, more comfortable styles that reflected the changing roles of women in society.

Today, the Victorian corset remains a powerful symbol of the ways in which fashion can shape—and restrict—the female body. While the corset itself may be a relic of the past, its legacy continues to influence discussions about body image and gender. Whether seen as a tool of oppression or a marker of elegance, the Victorian corset is a reminder of the complex ways in which fashion and society intersect.