Up through the Victorian Ages, corsets were very popular with women. Corsets were worn to reduce waist size. A tiny waist made for an attractive figure.Corsets were made from different materials over the years, including: stiffened linen, wood, whalebone, and wrought iron. Corsets were designed to cinch up very tightly in the back in order to restrict the waist size. Corsets also restricted movement, forcing a straighter posture. It was shameful for women to show any pain or discomfort felt by t.