Summer Trends 2026: The Return of the Corset A Hero Piece for the Season
The renewed popularity of historic cinema and period dramas has had a profound influence on contemporary fashion. From the global success of Bridgerton to the highly anticipated Wuthering Heights remake starring Margot Robbie, audiences have been captivated by the romance, drama, and visual richness of past eras. This cultural fascination has naturally spilled onto the runways, where the corset—once a symbol of strict femininity has been reimagined as a modern statement piece for Summer 2026. No longer confined to costume design or editorial fantasy, the corset has become a powerful, everyday wardrobe element, stringed tightly to highlight the waist and confidently making its way onto the streets.
Designers across the fashion capitals have embraced the corset with distinct interpretations, each reflecting their own creative universe. In London, Dilara Findikoglu continues to explore the boudoir as a source of inspiration. Her corsets are not nostalgic reproductions but subversive, sensual sculptures. Dilara’s work often blurs the line between lingerie and outerwear, transforming the corset into a symbol of empowerment rather than restriction. Her pieces feel intimate yet rebellious, rooted in craftsmanship but charged with contemporary attitude.
At the opposite end of the aesthetic spectrum, Acne Studios approaches the corset through a Scandinavian lens—minimal, layered, and quietly experimental. For Summer 2026, the brand plays with the corset as a structural layer, integrating it into fluid silhouettes and unexpected combinations. Rather than focusing on overt sensuality, Acne uses the corset to create tension between softness and rigidity, giving the garment a modern architectural presence. The result is a corset that feels effortless, wearable, and aligned with the brand’s understated cool.
Meanwhile, Erdem remains faithful to his deep love of historical references. His shows, often staged in museums, are built on meticulous research and a romantic sensibility. For him, the corset becomes an aristocratic gesture refined, poetic, and steeped in heritage. Lace, brocade, and delicate embroidery elevate the corset into a piece that feels almost ceremonial. Erdem’s interpretation speaks to the timelessness of the silhouette, reminding us that fashion’s past can be a rich source of modern beauty.
Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood
The corset as outerwear is central to Vivienne Westwood’s DNA, a signature that blends historical romance with rebellious modernity. For Summer 2026, Andreas Kronthaler honoured that legacy with a striking finale look: German supermodel Heidi Klum stepping onto the runway in a dress built around a sculptural Westwood corset.
The piece captured everything the house stands for—exaggerated curves, dramatic construction, and a sense of couture provocation. In a season where the corset dominates global trends, Westwood’s interpretation feels uniquely authentic, reminding the industry that few designers have shaped the modern corset with such influence and conviction.
On the more contemporary and seductive side of the spectrum, Magda Butrym presents the bustier as the ultimate expression of effortless sexiness. Her corsets are sleek, sculpted, and designed to celebrate the body without overpowering it. Magda’s vision is rooted in femininity, but always with a modern, confident edge. The bustier becomes a versatile piece styled with tailoring, denim, or eveningwear proving that sensuality can be both elegant and easy.
Adding a youthful, playful twist, Giuseppe di Morabito sends the corset down the runway paired with reworked denim culottes. This unexpected combination blends romance with streetwear, creating a look that feels fresh, dynamic, and perfectly aligned with the new generation’s approach to fashion. His corsets are glamorous yet approachable, designed for women who want to stand out without sacrificing comfort or individuality.
Across all these interpretations, one message is clear: the corset has evolved. It is no longer a relic of the past but a versatile, expressive, and deeply contemporary garment. Whether aristocratic, subversive, minimalist, or sexy, the corset of Summer 2026 reflects a broader cultural desire to blend history with modernity. It celebrates craftsmanship, silhouette, and identity—proving that some icons never truly disappear; they simply return with new meaning.