Foundation garments and costume silhouette

The shape of western woman's clothing is dictated by the corset or girdle worn underneath.  Somebody told me once that the foundation industry was the driving factory in lady's fashions, but when I think about it, I'm not sure if I totally believe that.  What does come first, the outer or inner garments?

16th Century

18th Century

17th Century

19th Century

These images are from the Farthingales website. One of the best for buying corset supplies and an excellent source of instruction and information about corsets.

You can see how the body shape went from straight to curvy.  This happened because of technology.  Darts and godets were invented as was boning with flexibility (spiral boning).

I always find 19th century versions of Tudor costumes so funny.  The styling is 16th Century, but the bodice shape is curvy ... 19th century.


So, there was some pretty dramatic body shape change in 400 years. Now look at this.

In 20 years we go from hour glass to straight.

Here is a 1920's version of Tudor!

I can't help but wonder how the "authentic" historic costumes we are making now a days will be perceived 100 years from now.

20th century girdles is a whole other conversation.  Look at the change from the 40s to the 50s!

So, next week will be corset week, focusing on building and wearing.