A Brief History of Shapewear: From Corsets to Confidence

Shapewear may feel like a modern invention, but the desire to sculpt and support the body through clothing has been around for centuries. What started as tightly laced corsets has evolved into today’s seamless, breathable, and body-positive shapewear.

Let’s take a walk through time and trace the fascinating evolution of shapewear—from restrictive silhouettes to empowering support garments that help people feel confident in their own skin.

In many ways, corsets are the original shapewear.

The Corset Era: Control Meets Fashion (1500s–1800s)

The corset is one of the oldest and most iconic forms of shapewear. Worn by women (and occasionally men) as early as the 16th century, corsets were made with stiffened fabrics and boning—often whale bone or steel—and tightly laced to cinch the waist and lift the bust.

Purpose: To create an idealized hourglass figure and support posture.

Downside: While fashionable, corsets could be painfully restrictive and, in extreme cases, even harmful to internal organs and breathing.

By the Victorian era, corsets became more structured and tightly bound than ever, seen as essential to femininity and proper dress.

The Girdle & Foundation Garments: Functional Femininity (1920s–1950s)

As women gained more social and economic freedom in the early 20th century, fashion shifted. Flapper styles in the 1920s called for a more boyish figure, leading to the rise of girdles—elasticized bands worn around the waist and hips to smooth the body without the rigid boning of corsets.

By the 1940s and 1950s, the hourglass silhouette returned to popularity, thanks in part to Hollywood icons like Marilyn Monroe. Bullet bras, garter belts, and high-waisted girdles became popular shapewear staples, sculpting curves under cinched-waist dresses and pencil skirts.

The Rise of Lycra and Control Wear (1960s–1980s)

The invention of Lycra (spandex) in 1958 revolutionized shapewear. Suddenly, undergarments could stretch, move, and breathe—without steel boning or thick padding.

In the 1960s and ’70s, the women’s liberation movement encouraged comfort and freedom, and many women ditched restrictive undergarments altogether. Still, control briefs and supportive hosiery remained in style, especially for professional wear.

Shapewear during this time was often marketed more for "problem areas" than empowerment, focusing on slimming rather than celebrating the body.

Shapewear Reinvented: The Spanx Revolution (2000s–2010s)

In the early 2000s, shapewear got a major image overhaul. Sara Blakely’s invention of Spanx, a footless control-top pantyhose alternative, changed the game. Finally, women had access to shapewear that was seamless, comfortable, and invisible under clothing.

Spanx and similar brands ushered in a new era of shapewear:

• Sleek fabrics that didn’t show through clothing

• A focus on comfort and movement

• Inclusive sizing and designs for multiple body types

Celebrities, red carpet stylists, and everyday consumers embraced shapewear not as a necessity, but as a confidence-boosting secret weapon.

Today: Shapewear as Self-Expression and Support (2020s–Present)

Modern shapewear is about choice, confidence, and versatility. It’s no longer something to be hidden. In fact, many designs double as outerwear, from sculpting bodysuits to stylish bralettes and leggings.

Today’s shapewear is:

• Made for all genders and sizes

• Crafted with breathable, sustainable materials

• Engineered to support—not squeeze

• Styled as fashion-forward pieces meant to be seen

Instead of promising to "fix" your body, today’s shapewear enhances what you already love, aligning with a broader cultural shift toward body positivity and self-love.

Final Thoughts: From Restriction to Empowerment

The history of shapewear mirrors the history of fashion—and culture itself. From rigid corsets to confidence-boosting bodysuits, the evolution of shapewear tells a story not just of changing styles, but of changing attitudes toward beauty, comfort, and control.

What was once used to mold women into idealized forms has become a tool for self-expression, freedom, and empowerment. In shapewear’s story, we see the journey from control to choice—and from conformity to confidence.