By Ana Maria Kresina
Photo credit: Tallulah www.tallulahphoto.com
I decided for my twenty-fifth birthday that I was going to go full out – I was going to have a huge party, dance till I dropped, and of course look like the belle of the ball. Knowing that as the years pass, I would only be getting older, I decided to sport a sexy little number that consisted of a scarlet red corset and a black tutu trimmed with red. Ridiculous? Yes. Hot? Of course.
There was something about my tight-fitting corset that had jaws dropping. I couldn’t help but wonder how this garment – lined with wires – was attracting so many people. Once used as an undergarment body enforcer – the corset has become a symbol of femininity and sexual power. The contradicting past of this garment somehow manages to make it even more appealing – instead of it being viewed as an oppressor, as it is often suggested through mass media, the corset now implies empowerment.
Historically, the corset had various purposes that varied from enhancing the female figure to being used as back support. It was also worn by both men and women, and contrary to popular belief, corsets weren’t worn as tightly as depicted and suggested by popular culture. In most cases they were comfortable and allowed women to conduct daily tasks without much discomfort. The equivalent to the corset, in this day and age would be the brassier. Many women wouldn’t be caught dead without one, and feel much more comfortable wearing it than going without the support.
Corsets have emerged not only in fetish parties, but also have a strong presents in burlesque, music videos and of course in the lingerie scene, being noted as a sleek yet sexy alternative. It’s no wonder that more and more women choose to wear corsets out – not only is it flattering, but it also feels empowering. Lifting where lifting is needed, squeezing where there is cushioning, and of course enhancing posture. This body-hugging article of clothing is especially popular with Melanie Talkington of Lace Embrace Atelier, located in Vancouver, who ditched working in the bridal industry to pursue her love of creating unique corsets for her clients.
What Talkington finds especially unique about the garment is the variety of ways the corset can mould the flesh in order to change the female silhouette. In Victorian times, women would follow fashion not only by changing their outerwear, but by having to change the style of their underwear as well. This allowed for them to be up-to date in the presentation of their bodies – since different body shape styles were popular during this time. Women would have to change their style by wearing appropriate underwear, such as garments that accentuated the breasts to peak out of their tightly fitted corset, or an undergarment that flattened the stomach, or even one that created the illusion of an hour-glass figure. Not only was outwear elaborate and decorative during the Victorian era, but the undergarments were just as magnificent. Talkington states that to undress a Victorian woman was like opening a present – there’s one wonderful layer after another.
Corsets comes in many different types of styles, and in Talkington’s shop, she takes proper steps to ensure that her clients find the best fit and style for their needs. Often inspired by the Victorian era, she creates corsets that are beautiful and seductive, ensuring that they meet the clients’ needs. Whether they are used as support or just a way of decorating the female body, Talkington explains that the corset should hug the body and brings a sense of security to the wearer; allowing them to be comfortable, and not painful as often suggested.
At one point in time, women wanted to be liberated from the constraints of undergarment, but now that women, in most cases, feel liberated, Talkington believes that this is the perfect time to embrace femininity and grasp all aspects of womanhood. With that in mind, how could I resist embracing my femininity by being the belle of the ball at my quarter of a century party?
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Last 5 posts by Ana Maria
- Blockers, Bearings and Bras! Oh my! The Fashion of Rollergirls - June 21st, 2009
- Real Women, Real Profit - February 15th, 2009
- Defending Hipsters: Let Their Style Roam - January 24th, 2009
- Drag Kings: The Performance of Gender - January 21st, 2009
