From Underwear to Outerwear: The Return of Vintage Bustiers and Corsets

Once worn under layered Victorian gowns, bustiers and corsets have made a comeback, but this time as stylish, delectable outerwear. These vintage-inspired women’s clothing items, designed to sculpt the feminine silhouette (the figure 8), have now blended historical elegance with modern-day style. This post is about how each of them evolved, what makes them different, and how to wear them beautifully.

To achieve the hourglass figure, women had to wear bustiers and corsets 
that squeezed their bodies painfully, into shape. 

Bustiers: The Feminine Power Piece

Once considered fine lingerie worn by elite women who desired structure and support, bustiers were originally crafted with whalebone or reeds. Its purpose was to lift the bust and smooth the torso. Today, designers achieve the same shaping effect with steel or plastic boning that provides comfort, without sacrificing structure.

Modern Fabrics & Styles

Modern bustiers are made in a range of materials like satin, velvet, brocade, mesh, and lace. Embellished, embroidered, or minimalist, bustiers are as versatile as they are beautiful.

 

Style Tips for Wearing a Bustier

• Casual Look: Pair a bustier with high-waisted jeans, tailored shorts, or a mini skirt for a chic off-duty style.
• Formal Look: For evening wear, match it with a velvet skirt or wide-leg trousers and a blazer.
• Layered Look: Use it under a sheer blouse for a modest yet stylish effect.

A trendy fashion-forward vintage-inspired underbust corset.
It is worn as an outerwear garment over a vintage-style bustle skirt.

Corsets: The Classic Waist-Sculptor

Corsets date back to the 16th century and were once essential to shaping the perfect hourglass figure. Unlike bustiers, corsets are used as waist-cinchers and for posture support. The early versions used rigid boning and front busks for structure, but today’s corsets come with steel or mesh panels for comfort and flexibility.

Style Tips for Wearing a Corset

• Everyday Glam: Style over a crisp shirt or dress to accentuate the waist.
• Evening Wear: Opt for a satin or brocade corset with tailored pants or a full-circle tulle skirt.
• Subtle Sophistication: Layer under a blazer or structured jacket for a refined, feminine touch.

A burlesque vintage-inspired corset/bustier made from lace and satin.
It has steel bones and a demi-cup for a full lift and support.

Vintage-inspired bustiers and corsets are no longer just undergarments; they have evolved into statement pieces that convey confidence, shape, and individuality. Whether styled for elegance or for informal wear, these vintage-inspired classics prove that fashion and style never truly fade away. They simply reinvent themselves.

Articles of interest

From Corsets to Crotchless Chaos: A Humorous Peek into Vintage Undergarment Disasters 

Slimming Underwear for Plus-Size Brides and Full-Bodied Women (Vintage vs Modern)

History of Women's Underwear: When Undergarments Became Intimate Wear
The Ugliest Hats and Headwear in Fashion History