A cinched waist accentuates the curves of the body and can be achieved through sewing techniques, belts, corsets, and body shapers. The placement of darts or pleats in sewing affects the fit. The cinched waist has gone in and out of style and made a comeback in the new millennium. Stars like Paris Hilton, Christina Aguilera, and Kim Kardashian popularized the modern wide-belt/cinched-waist look.
A cinched waist is a feature in a garment that tapers narrowly in the midsection, accentuating the curves of the body. A cinched-waisted look can be achieved in a number of different ways, using certain sewing techniques, belts, corsets, and body shapers. A cinched waist is generally at the natural waistline above the hips where the stomach tapers; some waists, however, are cinched higher along the ribcage at the empire waist. Corsets were traditionally used to cinch the waist and create a “wasp waist” look. Though still worn by some today, the corset has mostly given way to modern girdles, or “shapewear,” which slims the waist and creates an hourglass silhouette.
When sewing a garment, the placement of darts or pleats where the fabric is sewn affects how the garment fits and can create a cinched waist. While light darts may simply create a curve at the waist of the garment, tighter darts can make the garment form-fitting at the waist and form-fitting, in which the fabric is tight at the waist and gradually flares out or dramatically below the waist. The best belt for creating a dramatic cinched look is a thick elasticated belt. These belts are often included with clothing such as empire tops and sweater dresses, and sometimes feature snaps or hooks in the front instead of a belt buckle and loop.
The cinched waist has gone in and out of style over the years, subject to certain fashion trends. During the 1950s, most women’s fashions featured cinching waists, particularly formal wear. However, during the 1960s and 1970s, the cinched waist took a back seat to the straight lines of the shift dress, which featured no identifiable waistline. During the 1980s, the standard style was the crop top and oversized, baggy top, and the 1990s grunge trend ushered in baggy sweaters, T-shirts, and flannel shirts. In the new millennium, the cinched waist made a big comeback thanks to the return of the vintage glam looks of the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s. The modern wide-belt/cinched-waist look has been popularized by stars like Paris Hilton, Christina Aguilera, and Kim Kardashian.
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