The wearing of the corset was abandoned mainly due to changing fashion trends, social shifts after World War I, and the evolution of support garments that better matched contemporary needs and aesthetics.
In the 19th century, fashion shifted quickly. The popular corset style, which emphasized a tight, structured bust and waist, became obsolete as the ideal silhouette moved toward a smoother front with a more visible hip. Corsets changed shape, with the fabric extending down over the hips while the boning gradually moved away from the bust. Over time, the corset even stopped supporting the bust directly.
World War I and the 1920s profoundly impacted women’s clothing. The post-war era favored freedom of movement and simpler shapes. The tightly constricting corset conflicted with this new preference. During the 1920s, the fashionable silhouette was loose and almost rectangular. This style made the corset unnecessary while increasing the need for less restrictive bust support, which bras fulfilled. Bras became the new standard for bust support because they allowed movement while shaping.
The corset did not vanish immediately; it remained in use mostly by older generations accustomed to it. However, younger women moved away from corsetry. Meanwhile, the desire for shaping and structured support garments persisted. The role of the corset evolved into separate garments serving different functions. Girdles in the 1940s and 1950s focused on waist and hip shaping. Modern equivalents like Spanx offer targeted shaping and support divided into pieces, unlike the single, all-encompassing corset.
- 19th-century fashion favored a smoother front and visible hips, reducing corset relevance.
- Post-WWI social changes and 1920s loose silhouettes ended the corset’s popularity.
- Bras replaced corsets as the main bust support garment.
- Structured support continued via girdles, then modern shapewear like Spanx.
- The corset’s role split into multiple garments for comfort and targeted shaping.
