Corset Sales Increase As Curves Make A Comeback (PICTURES)

Corset Sales Increase As Curves Make A Comeback (PICTURES)

Curves are back and what better way to contain them than pouring them into a corset?

While Dita Von Teese and Christina Hendricks are among those who fly the A-list flag for the tightly-fitting undergarments, it seems us mere mortals are getting in on the act too.

According to the Queen’s lingerie maker Rigby and Peller, sales of traditional corsets in May were 45% higher than last year. Between 2002 and 2012 there was a 16% uplift on sales figures.

Creative Director Nicky Clayton told Huffington Post UK: "Corsets were originally designed to nip in waists and made with heavy whale bones to give support and structure to the early fashions of the 1900s and pre 1900s were warn with crinolines.

Scroll down for a gallery of corsets

"Today corsets designs are less severe and used to sculpt silhouettes to flatter the female figure.

"We have seen an increased in popularity in corsets due to fashion trends such as the ‘underwear as outwear’ trend, and celebs such as Rihanna, lady gaga & Jessie J making them popular again."

And Marks and Spencer tells the BBC one item from its new corset-inspired Waist Sculpt lingerie line is sold every three minutes.

From Madonna’s conical Jean Paul Gaultier bra to Victoria Beckham’s penchant for crumb-catchers, we’ve compiled our favourite and most frightening corset moments throughout the years.

Ill-fitting, overflowing and just plain weird, we’ve got a selection of the best and worst uses of a corset right here. In particular, keep your eyes peeled for Dolly Parton, Angelina Jolie and La Toya Jackson.

We've also slipped in a rogue male corset-wearer...can you spot him?

Close

What's Hot