The resurgence of the corset among women today is nothing short of fashion alchemy, transforming what was once a symbol of constraint into a bold, body-sculpting statement piece. At the same time, far too many instances reveal that this revival comes with its own risks, women tightening waists so dramatically they can’t breathe. The story of this trend is layered with history, cultural shifts, celebrity effects and the subtle interplay between empowerment and physical burden.
A Brief History
The corset has deep roots. From bodices in the 16th century to tightly-laced steel-boned garments of the Victorian era, the corset was used to mold the female body into the hour-glass or “wasp waist” silhouette.
By the 19th century, some women were pursuing waists of 16-18 inches through “tight-lacing” a practice criticized for causing fainting, restricted breathing and organ compression.
Fast-forward to the 20th century: designers like Vivienne Westwood (1970s), Jean‑Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler (1980s) resurrected the corset, this time as outerwear, aesthetic weaponry rather than purely internal restraint.
The Modern Uptick
In recent years, corsets have moved from lingerie drawer to red carpet, from fetish niche to mainstream street-style. Younger women are incorporating corset-style tops and bodices into everyday wear, often layered over t-shirts, or as standalone fashion pieces.
Vogue Business notes that today’s corsets have evolved: instead of rigid metal boning, designers are using fibre-reinforced plastics or flexible materials that sculpt the body with more comfort.
Celebrities are, of course, part of the story. Anya Taylor‑Joy, for example, wore a dramatically cinched corset under a Maison Margiela gown at a premiere; Kim Kardashian posted herself in a Mugler corset, reigniting public talk around tight-waist silhouettes.
When Beauty Becomes Breathless
Yet, for all its glamor and empowered spin-back, the corset revival brings serious warnings. Historically, tight-lacing was linked to breathing difficulties, compressed organs, fainting spells and skeletal deformation. One extreme case: Cathie Jung, who holds a Guinness World Record for the smallest waist (around 15-inches) after decades of near-constant corset use, she told the press she often wore a corset 23 hours a day. Doctors warn about the risks of such extreme waist-cinching.
In Nigeria’s wedding circuit, glamorous bridal events like Wedding of Mr Eazi and Temi Otedola and Wedding of Priscilla Ojo and Juma Jux have transformed into high-stakes style competitions and waist trainers have quietly taken centre stage.
At Juma Jux and Priscilla Ojo’s event, celebrities like Ini Edo and Mercy Aigbe stunned in dresses with heavily corseted bodices and obvious waist-cinching under layers of traditional attire.
Wedding guests and bridal party members feel an invisible pressure to match those razor-thin waistlines and picture-perfect silhouettes. Many show up wearing waist trainers hours before the event, under a boubou, layered under an “aso-ebi”, strapped into bodices that leave little room for sitting or eating. In the bustle of money-spraying, dancing and photo ops, some admit their outfits felt more like armor than celebration.
It’s become almost competitive. The glitz and glam of Nigeria’s booming wedding culture have pushed waist trainers beyond just gym gear or fashion accessory, they’re now a requirement for some bridal tables, guest squads and influencers. The expectation isn’t just to look good, but to embody the “perfect waist” for the camera. Social media then amplifies the images, turning one stiff dinner posture into thousands of reels and stories.
That said, underneath the beauty and spectacle lies the uncomfortable truth that many of these women endure, squeezing into garments that restrict breathing, make basic movement awkward, and force comfort to take a back seat to appearance. The waist trainer at these weddings has become not only a badge of beauty, but a symbol of endurance too.
The Balance of Empowerment vs Risk
This is the shifting tension at the core. On one hand, a well-fitted modern corset can support posture, make clothes fit better, add dramatic shape, and allow women to choose to sculpt their bodies. On the other hand, when lace-ups go too tight, when breathing is constrained, when waist size becomes a measurement of worth, there are real dangers.
Medical experts voice caution: extreme cinching can impede respiration, restrict rib-cage expansion, compress organs and reduce blood flow. Fashion commentary likewise warns: if the garment begins to dictate comfort and movement, the empowerment framing may mask underlying self-pressure.
