Corset vs. Corslet — What's the Difference?

A garment worn to shape the torso and waist.

A piece of body armor covering the torso.

Often made with boning and lacing.

Constructed from materials like steel or leather.

Can be part of modern fashion.

Worn historically by soldiers.

Used historically for body modification.

Seen in historical reenactments.

Sometimes used for medical or orthopedic reasons.

Used for protection in combat.

A corset is a support garment commonly worn to hold and train the torso into a desired shape, traditionally a smaller waist or larger bottom, for aesthetic or medical purposes (either for the duration of wearing it or with a more lasting effect), or support the breasts. Both men and women are known to wear corsets, though this item was for many years an integral part of women's wardrobes.

A corslet is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "a piece of defensive armour covering the body." In ancient Egypt, Ramesses II is said to have worn a similar device in some battle(s). In Ancient Greek armies, the "hoplite", or heavy infantryman, wore a bronze corslet or known as the thorax (or a linen version known as the linothorax) to protect his upper body.

A woman's tightly fitting undergarment extending from below the chest to the hips, worn to shape the figure.

Variant of corselet.

A close-fitting undergarment, often reinforced by stays, worn to support and shape the waistline, hips, and breasts.

Alternative form of corselet

A medieval outer garment, especially a laced jacket or bodice.

A corselet.

To enclose in or as if in a corset.

A piece of body armor for the trunk; usually consists of a breastplate and back piece

A woman's foundation garment, reinforced with stays, that supports the waistline, hips and bust.

(historical) A tight-fitting gown or basque worn by both men and women during the Middle Ages.

A regulation that limited the growth of British banks' interest-bearing deposits.

(transitive) To enclose in a corset; to wear a corset.

(figuratively) To restrict or confine.

In the Middle Ages, a gown or basque of which the body was close fitting, worn by both men and women.

An article of dress inclosing the chest and waist worn (chiefly by women) to support the body or to modify its shape; stays.

To inclose in corsets.

A woman's close-fitting foundation garment

Dress with a corset

To shape and enhance the body's silhouette for aesthetic purposes.

Corsets do not provide physical protection; they are used for body shaping.

To provide protection as part of historical body armor.

Corslets are generally rigid and do not offer much in terms of comfort adjustment.

Yes, corsets can be styled as outerwear, especially in fashion contexts.

Modern military gear does not typically include corslets; it has evolved into advanced body armor systems.

Due to their protective nature, corslets were often heavy and less comfortable.

Modern corsets can be made from a variety of materials including latex, leather, and fabric with boning.

Corslets were prominent from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance in various forms.

Corslets are mainly seen in historical reenactments and film or theater costumes.

Yes, corsets are popular in modern fashion and costume design.

Corslets were primarily military equipment and rarely used by civilians.

Corsets have transitioned from essential undergarments to fashion statements and body positivity symbols.

Corsets are commonly associated with women's fashion, while corslets were primarily worn by men in military contexts.

Corsets can improve or support posture by providing torso and back support.