History of men’s corsets
Published on July 20th, 2007.
When we think of corsets we automatically think of women, but men have actually been wearing corsets for just as long. A trim and slim physique has always been fashionable for both men and women.
When 17th and 18th century fashion dictated that men should look physically fit with broad shoulders and a narrow waist the corset was used to create this look. There is a corset pattern at the London Museum, it was reportedly given by Queen Mary to the Museum and it belonged to George IV.
A Drawing Of George IV In His CorsetÂÂ
George IV was known to be a very large man and the pattern is 56″ long! Corsets for men were made from a lightweight coutil (cotton), they laced up the back in the same way as a women’s and often had buckled straps at the side to prevent the abdomen bulging. Other styles had elastic inserts at the chest to allow expansion, they were primarily used to give a smart lean contour to evening coats. You can still buy men’s corsets today but they are a lot less common then women’s.
Filled under Fashion History.
14 Comments
Jackie on July 25th, 2007
hi girl,
Useful knowledge. It is enjoy that I visit your site every time.
Have a great day!
B. Durant on July 26th, 2007
Men’s corsets huh? This is quite possibly one of the scariest things I have ever read… Thanks 
Danny Vice on December 25th, 2007
Um, no…. I’ll pass….
You look much better in these than I do. I promise.
sarah on January 7th, 2008
That’s just wrong… Lol men should not have an hourglass figure.
pullittight on January 28th, 2008
Well, why not. Some guys really need them! LOL
rawdawgbuffalo on March 7th, 2008
no such aperal in my wardrobe n fac te oposite lol
Susan on July 14th, 2008
I am glad I am not the only one who knows about these things. Boys also used to be trained to corsets, at least in the 18th century, & historical costume archivists have to be sensitive to this fact: it is easy to mistake a boy’s corset for a woman’s.
alyssa on August 28th, 2008
Hm. I never thought a man could have a waist the size of a cheerio…until now.
Cristina on October 9th, 2008
totally cool thanks for the info I used it for a research paper
Al on January 30th, 2009
Tis said that George IV was so fat, his stomach hung down to his knees. Yike!!!
preciouss on February 9th, 2009
ummmmmmmmm
redd on April 5th, 2009
The drawings in the old advertisement and cartoon are fantastic. Clearly the goal was not to make the man’s figure into an hourglass; rather, the goal was to emphasize the masculine V-shaped physique.
Max on May 3rd, 2009
:X they want to keep people quiet about things like men being fem. im not gay, but still, peeps have a right to know.
A Week In the Life of a Redhead on July 20th, 2007
Just what I need … a man in women’s gurdles. OI.
Catherine, the redhead