Early corsets of the 16th century consisted of paste-stiffened linen and a primitive busk at the front, but later included iron supports at the side and back. The emphasis was on form, with compression of the breasts forcing them upward, so a considerable part of the breast was exposed. The ideal form was a flat torso, which inevitably pushed the breasts upwards and out. The working class by contrast wore a simple front-lacing "cotte".
The Renaissance had a large influence on society, men shaped women's bodies and women where to wear this around their waist to appear like a curvy, but skinny women. These where constricting, it was difficult to breath and preform daily tasks. When women would leave the house they wore this and to keep the breasts form showing they where pushed down by other tight clothing. |