The Evolution of Shapewear: From Corsets to Comfort

Shapewear has come a long way—from stiff, lace-up corsets of centuries past to the stretchy, breathable styles filling our drawers today. What started as a rigid tool of fashion (and sometimes oppression) has transformed into a modern-day confidence booster that embraces comfort, diversity, and body positivity.

Let’s take a walk through history and see how shapewear has evolved—functionally, culturally, and fashionably.

Corsets were a staple of women's undergarments

1. The Era of Corsets (1500s–1800s)

Shapewear as we know it began with the corset, a tightly laced garment designed to cinch the waist and lift the bust. Worn by both women and men at various points, corsets were made from rigid materials like whalebone, steel, and heavy fabrics.

While they helped create the popular “hourglass” figure of the time, corsets also came with a price—restricted breathing, fainting spells, and even rearranged internal organs in extreme cases. Yikes.

2. The Girdle Age (Early 1900s–1950s)

As fashion shifted, so did shapewear. In the early 20th century, corsets gave way to the girdle, which focused less on waist cinching and more on smoothing the hips, butt, and thighs. These were often made of rubber or elastic materials and were usually worn with garters to hold up stockings.

By the 1950s, girdles were almost a daily essential for many women, marketed as the key to maintaining a polished, ladylike figure.

3. The Rise of Body Positivity (1960s–1990s)

The women’s liberation movement in the 1960s and '70s challenged traditional beauty standards and pushed back against the idea that women needed to "shape" their bodies to be acceptable. Shapewear fell out of fashion for a while, replaced by a focus on natural body shapes and comfort.

Still, undergarments didn’t disappear entirely—light control slips, supportive panties, and tights became popular alternatives.

4. The Birth of Modern Shapewear and Waist Trainers (2000s)

Enter the 2000s, when a little company called Spanx disrupted the undergarment game. Instead of rigid, uncomfortable fabric, modern shapewear used lightweight, stretchy materials like spandex to smooth, not squeeze.

This new generation of shapewear focused on comfort and confidence—not constriction. It was no longer about changing your body, but enhancing your silhouette.

Celebrities and everyday people alike embraced it. Suddenly, shapewear wasn’t a secret—it was a styling essential.

5. The Comfort Revolution, Waist Trainers and More (2010s–Today)

Today’s shapewear is smarter than ever.

Waist trainer corset

It’s designed with targeted compression zones, seamless designs, breathable fabric, and inclusive sizing. Brands are listening to what real people want: comfort, flexibility, and pieces that move with you, not work against you.

Shapewear and waist trainers aren’t just about looking slimmer—it’s about feeling supported, confident, and comfortable in your skin. Many brands now focus on body positivity, encouraging people to wear shapewear for themselves—not for the approval of others.

Final Thoughts

From corsets that laced us in, to shapewear that lifts us up—literally and emotionally—the evolution of shapewear tells a much bigger story. It’s a reflection of how society’s views on beauty, identity, and self-expression have changed.

The best part? Shapewear today is all about choice. Whether you want to smooth, sculpt, support, or simply feel more confident in your outfit, there’s something out there for you—and it doesn’t have to hurt to work.