The Style Files: Cinderella and the Waist Controversy

Disney’s Cinderella, starring British actress Lily James (of Downton Abbey fame) in the title role, has helped spur on a revival of the waist and the shape-shifting garment that sucks it all in and holds it together. The newest version of the fairy tale sees 25-year-old Lily flaunt an enviably tiny waist thanks to the help of an icy-blue corset dress complete with floor-skimming puffball skirt. Her minute waist has sparked up a storm with its critics slamming the unrealistic portrayal of the female silhouette. Its defenders feel that the corset revival is all about female empowerment.

The release of the movie coincides with the re-emergence of the waist in fashion, the high-waisted skirts, pants and belted or corseted dresses that were all over the runways. Almost every big designer out there is sneakily raising the waists of everything from jeans to jumpsuits. This season, many of fashion’s power players have illustrated just how good waisted clothing can look. The Jessica Rabbit-type body shape is firmly back in the fashion narrative.

The Kardashian sisters, those of the small waist and big hips are proponents of the waist training craze, which involves completely modifying your figure and posture by restricting it in a corset. Tiny waist seekers must wear the corset for short periods of time, gradually increasing use to achieve desired results.

Kylie Minogue has been stunning onstage in a scarlet bodice during her current Kiss Me Once tour and Madonna turned heads in a risque Givenchy corset at the Grammy’s. The message being  - It's more about being confident, powerful and being in control while looking good as well.

Text by Minoli Ratnayake