Bodice vs. Corset, What's the Difference?

Here at French Meadows, you may have noticed that we use the terms bodice and corset interchangeably. That is because in the context of contemporary fashion, they are very similar and often regarded as the same thing. Be that as it may, there are significant differences between a traditional corset and bodice that set them apart.

While a bodice and a corset are both articles of clothing worn to shape and support the torso, they differ in construction, function, and historical context.

Function

Bodice: Bodices are often worn as part of historical or formal attire, such as Renaissance costumes or wedding dresses. They provide some shaping and support but are generally less restrictive than corsets.

Corset: Corsets are primarily worn for waist shaping and support. Historically, they were used to achieve a smaller waistline and a more exaggerated hourglass figure. In modern times, corsets are sometimes worn as lingerie or as fashion pieces for aesthetic purposes, but are not as popular are bodices in this case.

Construction

Bodice: A bodice is a close-fitting garment that covers the upper part of the body from the waist to the shoulders. Bodices often have boning or shaping elements sewn into them to provide structure and support.

Corset: A corset is a more structured and tightly fitting garment designed to shape the torso, particularly the waist. Corsets typically extend from the chest to the hips and are constructed with stiff boning, such as steel or whalebone, to provide strong support and shape the body into a desired silhouette.

 

Historical Context

Bodice: Bodices have been worn throughout history as part of various cultural and historical costumes. They were often worn as outerwear or as part of layered clothing ensembles.

Corset: Corsets have a long history dating back centuries, with their popularity reaching its peak during the Victorian era in the 19th century. During this time, corsets were worn by nearly all women, and sometimes men, of various social classes to achieve a fashionable silhouette.

In Summary

While both bodices and corsets serve to shape and support the torso, corsets are typically more tightly fitting, historically associated with waist shaping, and meant to be worn as undergarments, whereas bodices are generally less restrictive and worn on the outside as part of historical or formal attire. 

Here at French Meadows, we are not one of your traditional corset shops selling Victorian corsets or lingerie. So why do we call ourselves ‘French Meadows Corsets’ if we don’t even sell traditional corsets? While the distinctions noted above may be important factors in determining the difference between corsets and bodices, we understand that not everyone looking for a corset is a historical fashion aficionado. Just as there are many different types of shirts (i.e. blouses, t-shirts, button-ups, etc.), it’s often easier to just use the term “shirt” to get the point across. 

In the context of modern language, the term “corset” can be used the same way. So if you find yourself curious about diving into the world of wearing a corset for the first time, we encourage you to relax about all the historical terminology and just have fun.

Our Favorite Corsets

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