1950s Corsets: The Secret to that Wasp Waist & Hourglass Silhouette

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1950s corsets, 1950s corsets outfits, and 1950s corset fashion worn Old Hollywood stars like Lana Turner, Marilyn Monroe, Diana Dors, Elizabeth Taylor and more

This post is all about 1950s Corsets

In the 1950s, the sizzling “in” silhouette for women was the ultra-feminine and curvy hourglass.

Think large breasts and full hips, offset with an impossibly tiny wasp waist.

Does this remind you of some Old Hollywood stars?

Um…let’s see…how about Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Lana Turner or Diana Dors, to just name a few?

What was their secret to achieving that to die for, waistline? 

Drumroll….the 1950s corset!

1950s Fashion Context

Always wear your best lingerie, as life is too short to save it for a special occasion.”  – Mishelle Quinn-Jackson

After World War II,  Christian Dior’s launched the feminine ‘New Look’ which took the fashion world by storm.

What was the 1950s silhouette “in” look?

Ultra-feminine and curvy. 

In other words, the desired shape was the bombshell hourglass!

Think large full breasts, curvy hips, and an impossibly tiny wasp waist.

The stunning 1950s fashion was all about playing up women’s femininity.

Rather than turning to impossibly strict diets, insane amounts of exercise, or the “nip and tuck”, women loaded up their closets with 1950s lingerie essentials.

And to get that ultra tiny waist, their weapon of choice for that special occasion dress was a simple corset.

The 1950s Corset

The 1950s corset (above right) was quite different from the Victorian era corsets. (above left)

Talk about evolution of women’s shapewear.

In the Victorian time period, girls often started wearing corsets at a young age. 

These corsets were extremely restrictive and laced so tight that women often reduced their waistline by several inches. How awful!

In contrast, the ‘modern’ 1950s corsets were lighter and more flexible. 

They helped sculpt a woman’s body into the perfect hourglass silhouette.

Think overall smoothing of the lumps and bumps (you know what I mean ladies! haha), while adding some lovely lift and emphasis for the bust area and hips, and tucking the waistline in. 

What’s the difference between a girdle and a corset?

A bit confused on the difference between a girdle and a corset? 

So were we at first.

So let’s set the record straight.

In the 1950s, girdles were an girl’s daily go to for very light shaping.

They were flexible and helped one achieve that smooth sleek silhouette.

Whether one was spending a busy day in the office or as a 1950s housewife, the girdle was the comfy “Spanx” like shape wear.  

It made all of your vintage clothing look fabulous, whether pencil skirts, classic 50s house dresses, or even trousers. 

Check out how the Playtex girdle ads emphasizes how flexible their girdles are. 

In contrast, the artillery you called on for special occasions, like weddings, black tie events, or night out with your hottie, was the 1950s corset.

The 1950s corsets had more boning, and more structured support and shaping. 

Think light suggestion vs full-on persuasion for your curves. 

Also, high quality corsets were much more expensive, especially if designed specifically for your body. Think $1,000+ in today’s dollars. 

In summary girdles were “practical” for daily wear, while corsets provided that extra oomph for special events.

Want to learn more about women’s 1950s lingerie?
1950s Vintage Lingerie: Retro Bras & Pin Up Underwear

Corset Style: Welcome to the World of Corset Options

Okay, let’s take a quick peek at one of the most popular types of corsets in the 1950s. 

The “in” corset style was the strapless corset or corselette, nicknamed the “Merry Widow”.

How did it get this name? 

Lana Turner wore this style of corset in the 1952 romantic mystery “The Merry Widow.“

In the film, Lana Turner plays a gorgeous wealthy widow with a fabulous wardrobe, and an even more unforgettable lingerie collection. 

In a publicity still for the film, Lana Turner wears a stunning ultra feminine white corset. And in the film, she wears an opulent ultra sexy black one.

Warner, a lingerie line, then released a line of similar corsets called the “Merry Widow corset”.

Ladies could say goodbye to regular bras, when they opted for a corset styles with enhancing overbust designs!

It’s no surprise that this corset style became all the rage in the 1950s!

Old Hollywood Corset Pin-Up Styles: Marilyn Monroe & Diana Dors 1950s Corset Style 

Need more glamorous corset style inspo from the 1950s? 

What could be more sexy and unforgettable than a vintage corset pin-up styles?

In the Western romance River of No Return 1954, Marilyn Monroe sizzles in a sexy vintage strapless corset. 

We love the lace detailing on the bodice and hips, and charming vintage pattern!

Notice how the corset accentuates the curves on Marilyn’s to die for figure!

Not be outdone, Diana Dors, the sensational British actress nicknamed the “English Marilyn Monroe” sizzles in pinup shoot wearing a black corset, paired with long black gloves and black heels.

In the 1950s, Diana Dors was also famous for her hourglass curves. 

Legend has it that she often wore a corset to enhance her figure.

No surprise there!

So there you have it, another tool in your arsenal from our 1950s girlfriends to achieve that perfect va-voom hourglass silhouette. 

Old Hollywood Fashion: Corsets as Outerwear for Showgirls

A popular fashion trend in modern times is for outerwear to resemble corset style, but without body shaping.

Think corset style tops and dresses.

In the 1950s the only time you would see sexy corset style as outer wear (i.e. not just for lingerie or pin-up shoots) was for showgirl outfits.

Remember all those toe tapping musicals and dreamy dance scenes?

Marilyn Monroe sizzles in a corset styled showgirl styles in COLOR in a couple of films.

Notice her sexy Western themed corset style outfit that she wears for her dance performance in River of No Return 1954.

This revealing corset style is clearly figure enhancing. 

And it creates a beautiful smooth line across Marilyn’s silhouette.

Also, in the hilarious comedy Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell play showgirls on a cross-continental adventure.

Check out their hilarious sequined corset style costumes, as they get ready to go on stage. 

Notice the green criss-cross synching style and ties.

It’s hard to tell what steals the show in this costume–is it the yellow roses, sequins, or not-so-subtle corset theme?

You can definitely say it’s memorable, and oh so 1950s!  

For more on Marilyn’s fashion in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Outfits – All her Gorgeous Glam Dresses

This post was all about the 1950s lingerie, and women’s secret fashion weapon, the corset. 

“Lingerie is not about seducing men; it’s about embracing womanhood.” – Dita Von Teese

Dying to recreate that 1950s hourglass body image without killing yourself at the gym?

Maybe try a vintage corset for you next night out!

Did you find this post inspirational? Save the pin below to your 1950s Fashion board. 🙂