13th, 14th, and 

15th Centuries!

In the 13th and 14th centuries the dresses had changed from flowing freely to dresses that had lacing to shape the garment closer to the body.

New garments known as kirtles were developed.

  A trim silhouette was achieved by the use of stiffer fabbrics while a corseted effect was incorporated into the garmenta as opposed to being a separate piece of clothing.

As time wemt on kirtles became the traditionally gown in England with tight fitting bodices.

1556

The earliest known busk was made in iron.

Brief history on busk:

Fabrics like damask required a stronger, supported construction to show a body's shape. The first

artifical support was made in Italy was called a choche later became known as a busk in England.

Corsets were even talked about by Geoffrey Chaucer, the father of English Literature, in his books during this time.