The Rise of the Corset Dress Trend

The corset dress has become one of the defining fashion trends of 2026. Once confined to historical costume and lingerie, it now represents structured sensuality, confidence, and modern empowerment.

What was once hidden beneath layers of fabric or reserved for period dramas and lingerie has re-emerged as one of the most commanding statements in modern fashion. Structured yet sensual, sculpted yet expressive, the corset dress now embodies confidence, intention, and control over one’s image.

Within the first few months of the year alone, red carpets have been dominated by tightly laced bodices, dramatic boning, and waist-defining gowns. From the Golden Globes to the Grammys, celebrities have embraced corsetry in bold, unexpected ways.

Margot Robbie’s gothic press tour for Wuthering Heights has amplified the movement even further, reintroducing Victorian romance with a contemporary edge. Designers are leaning into nostalgia while rewriting its meaning, blending period references, inclusive sizing, and a renewed fascination with structured silhouettes.

The result is a trend that feels both cinematic and current. The corset dress is no longer about restriction. In 2026, it signals strength, artistry, and the deliberate shaping of one’s own narrative.

The Historical Roots of the Corset Dress: From Restriction to Revolution

To understand the corset dress trend in 2026, we must revisit its origins. The corset has shaped women’s fashion for centuries. Emerging in the late Renaissance as a supportive undergarment, it evolved into an elaborate structure that defined entire silhouettes.

By the Victorian era, corsets were central to achieving the coveted hourglass figure. Often reinforced with whalebone or steel, they cinched the waist while accentuating the bust and hips. In the nineteenth century, corsets reflected both beauty standards and social expectations. Innovations such as cage crinolines and steam-moulded corsets in the 1850s and 1860s created dramatic skirt volume and the iconic Victorian profile.

Despite health criticisms, including restricted breathing and internal pressure, corsets symbolised refinement, status, and femininity. They were tools of posture, poise, and presentation.

The early twentieth century introduced the straight-front corset, developed by Inès Gâches-Sarraute. Designed to improve posture and reduce health risks, the so-called “S-bend” silhouette offered a more natural shape. However, by the 1920s, flapper fashion abandoned corsetry altogether in favour of fluidity and freedom.

Corsets did not disappear. They evolved. Girdles and brassieres carried the shaping concept forward. In the 1980s, Madonna famously transformed the corset into a stage statement, while Vivienne Westwood’s punk designs reframed it as rebellion rather than restraint.

In the twenty-first century, television and cinema reignited interest. Shows such as Bridgerton and The Gilded Age fuelled a wave of Regency-inspired fashion. The corset dress returned, now carrying a dual message: romance and resistance.

The Modern Revival: Why Corset Dresses Dominate 2026

The 2026 resurgence of corset dresses is driven by layered cultural shifts. Today, corsets represent both structure and autonomy. In a climate shaped by ongoing conversations about body positivity, beauty standards, and identity, designers are using corsetry as both commentary and craft.

The rise of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic has intensified discourse around body image. Rather than conform to narrow ideals, many designers exaggerate silhouettes deliberately. Corsetry becomes an artistic tool rather than a corrective one.

Spring 2026 runways reinforced this evolution. Fashion designers like Wiederhoeft presented corsets in extended sizing, expanding inclusivity across body types and genders. Asymmetrical cuts, exposed boning, mixed materials, and deconstructed elements elevated corsets into sculptural fashion pieces.

Prom collections for 2026 prominently feature corset bodices in A-line and mermaid silhouettes, often with lace-up backs that allow adjustable fit. Meanwhile, everyday styling embraces versatility: corsets layered over shirts, paired with denim, or styled with tailored trousers.

Social media has accelerated the trend’s reach. On X, formerly Twitter, users praised corset gowns seen at events like the NFL Honors, where Ciara wore crystal mesh over lace corsetry. Online discussions highlight how the garment now conveys both strength and elegance.

The revival is not purely aesthetic. It reflects cultural storytelling. Films like Wuthering Heights channel moody romance and emotional intensity, and corsets visually reinforce that narrative.

Celebrity Spotlights: Corset Dresses on the Red Carpet

Celebrity influence has propelled the corset dress to the forefront of 2026 fashion.

At the Golden Globes, corsets were everywhere. Jennifer Lopez wore a crystal-covered Tamara Ralph gown featuring a sculpted corseted bodice. Charli XCX opted for a feathered bustier dress that balanced drama with refinement. Dakota Fanning chose a silver Vivienne Westwood corset gown. Priyanka Chopra wore a white plunging strapless corseted design at a Netflix afterparty, showing the trend’s versatility.

The Grammys continued the momentum. Coco Jones appeared in a sheer nude corset minidress. Doechii stunned in a plum silk duchesse Roberto Cavalli gown with a 13-foot train and intricate ruched embroidery. PinkPantheress wore a draped multicoloured corset gown, while Sabrina Carpenter embraced sheer embellishment in a beaded Valentino creation.

Lady Gaga chose a vintage Alexander McQueen-inspired corset design with visible stitching and ruffles. Karol G wore an icy blue Paolo Sebastian gown structured around a body-contouring corset. Even Bad Bunny embraced the trend, appearing in a corseted Schiaparelli tuxedo that highlighted the movement’s gender-fluid dimension.

Across music and film events, corset dresses adapt seamlessly, ranging from romantic to avant-garde.

Margot Robbie’s Gothic Corset Press Tour

Margot Robbie has been instrumental in amplifying the corset aesthetic through her Wuthering Heights promotional tour.

At the Sydney premiere, she wore a custom Ashi Studio Couture gown in pale écru featuring a hand-painted corset bodice, sheer tulle sleeves, and distressed hems. In Paris, she selected a Victorian-inspired sheer corset by Dilara Fındıkoğlu, complete with braided hair details referencing gothic tradition.

Other tour looks included a Schiaparelli lace bustier gown, a custom Chanel red velvet corseted dress with bustle detailing, and archival pieces from Vivienne Westwood and Thom Browne.

Styled by Andrew Mukamal, Robbie’s wardrobe has generated significant conversation, giving rise to what fashion insiders now call “bodice core”; structured tops paired with fluid skirts for dramatic contrast.

Runway and Cultural Forces Shaping the Movement

Runway collections in 2026 have placed corsetry at the centre of design narratives. Houses such as Schiaparelli and Campillo have merged masculine tailoring with corseted forms, exaggerating proportions through padding, boning, and contour shaping.

Cultural references continue to drive momentum. Period dramas romanticise Victorian and Regency silhouettes, while contemporary discourse reframes corsets as symbols of agency rather than oppression.

Experts frequently point to this duality. The corset historically represented restriction. Today, when chosen intentionally, it can represent control and self-expression. Expanded sizing and gender-inclusive designs further reinforce this shift.

Styling the Corset Dress in 2026

Embracing the corset dress trend requires thoughtful styling.

For daytime wear, layer a structured corset top over a crisp shirt or pair it with denim for contrast. Asymmetrical necklines modernise the silhouette. Low-rise jeans create edge, while high-waisted trousers offer polish.

For formal occasions, prom-inspired gowns with lace-up backs remain popular. When lacing, begin at the top, crisscross downward, and allow slight waist spacing for comfort. Metallic finishes, vibrant hues, and soft pastels dominate the Spring 2026 palette.

Accessories can enhance the historical undertone. Mourning bracelets, antique-inspired brooches, or diamond necklaces complement the structured bodice. In colder months, layer corsets beneath tailored jackets. In spring, experiment with sheer overlays or floral prints.

Confidence is key. In 2026, the corset is about intention, not constraint.

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Corset Dress

Industry forecasts suggest the corset dress will remain relevant beyond 2026. Designers are already exploring steampunk references, gothic revival elements, metallic hardware, and leather variations.

Market analysts project that the shapewear category, increasingly described as sculptwear, could reach $3.8 billion by 2031. Corset-inspired garments are expected to play a major role in that growth.

With continued endorsement from celebrities and influence from film adaptations such as Wuthering Heights, innovation and inclusivity will shape the next phase.

The ongoing rise of the corset dress trend in 2026 reflects fashion’s cyclical rhythm. What once symbolised restriction now communicates agency. From Victorian drawing rooms to global red carpets, the corset has transformed repeatedly to match cultural moods.

Whether inspired by Margot Robbie’s gothic press tour looks or everyday styling with denim and tailoring, the corset dress offers both structure and statement. As fashion evolves, it remains clear that corsetry is no longer confined to the past. It is reshaping the present and redefining the future.

Photo: Getty Images