Corsets were a major fashion staple in the Victorian era. They created that ideal body shape and made it possible for all women to have. The victorian era was years and years ago, but similar fashion trends and expectations are still very much alive. The corset pictured on the right caught my eye in my instagram ads. This photo is so dreamy and aesthetically pleasing, as if the company wants to sell a fantasy. This lingerie is seemingly inspired by eras of elegance and femininity. The look is titled "Midsummer Heart Embroidered Bustier." This is automatically bringing thoughts of Shakespeare to my mind just upon reading the name of this detailed piece of lingerie. It is also showing victorian style elegance. The use of a corset is brought back for this fantasy look, something that is not as common in todays fashion or lingerie. This is not the sexy bra and underwear you can wear underneath your clothes in a somewhat practical way, this set us meant to be the main attraction. There is no way this can be worn underneath something else. This piece could have been left as a bra alone and still been eye-catchingly beautiful. However, adding the corset gives the woman pictured a fantasy body type. She is even air brushed with skin that looks like a doll. The ideal body type is portrayed by making the model look like a perfect doll. This is literally a fantasy because it is not achievable. No ones skin can naturally look this way, but one can dream and keep moisturizing. The addition of the ruffle at the bottom brings the tight to loose contrast of a victorian dress. The mixture of satin, lace, ribbon, and tulle adds a victorian type of femininity to lingerie. These details are things observed on an elegant victorian dress but wrapped all into one lingerie set. Also, note the price. A bra for this price is made for someone wealthy. Buying a bra of this price does separate the wealthy and the working class just as the high end dresses did of the victorian era. The difference here is that this isn't even something worn in public.
As we know, lingerie is not made for children but this set goes away from typically seen black and white lace and uses more aspects that we would see in children's clothing. There are ribbons, flowers, and bright colors in this set. These things are not details on traditionally sexy lingerie. The lingerie of a mature woman is known to be black or white or red with lace all over. It brings a mixture of sexy, sophisticated, and seductive. This lingerie is going in its own direction away from social norms and doing the opposite. Though it is sexy, it is in a way childlike which is disturbing. Even the pose of the woman pictured on the left is childlike. This is a disturbing contradiction because erotic clothing should not be confused with children. Yet, her confident gaze into the camera lens convinces you this is sexy. The use of many flowers is also common on children's clothing. As seen in the FIT exhibit, colorful flowers represented diversity and sexuality in the eighteenth century. I am seeing a similar use of the colorful flowers in this piece is providing an agency to women in ditching fashion boundaries. Women can buy the feminine lingerie that is appealing to them, they do not need to think about who they plan to wear it for. This brings a new sense of self expression because something she wants can be chosen over the thing she knows is going to be seductive. I truly like this set, I love the colors and the different textures used. I've thought maybe these sets are too childish to buy, its too colorful. But honestly, I like it and I wish I had the money to spend on these beautiful undergarments. I'm all for this newfound power to buy the lingerie that I think is pretty. If worn confidently, the colorful feminine touch can be sexy too.
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