FashionUnited has named corsetry and lingerie as outerwear as a key trend to emerge from London Fashion Week SS27. Historically hidden beneath clothing and designed to restrict, shape or cage the female form, corsetry and lingerie were turned into statements of power by British designers this season, just as Vivienne Westwood had done almost 40 years previously.

Designers exposed inner construction and exaggerated silhouettes, from Harris Reed’s dramatic wing-like bodices to lingerie translated into rigid, industrial materials at Litscher, transforming traditionally intimate pieces into a form of visual armour. According to FashionUnited, the surge of boudoir dressing, corsetry and lingerie-as-outerwear reflected a desire to subvert conventional femininity, while tapping into fashion’s current fascination with historical references.

Where were corsets and lingerie looks seen at LFW SS27?

• Harris Reed – A two-piece bodice in cream silk jacquard with sweeping, structural wing-like lapels framing an off-the-shoulder neckline, flowing into tailored, flared trousers.
• Yuhan Wang – A ruffled light pink camisole bodice with white lace trim, paired with a draped, deconstructed white lace skirt over white bloomers and knee-high lace socks.
• Dreaming Eli – A sheer cream floral lace under-the-bust corset with curved boning and hook-and-eye details, worn with a champagne satin ruched asymmetrical mini skirt.
• Agro – A structured, sheer white bone-exposed corset layered over a mesh tank top, with a sheer jacket and matching translucent midi skirt.
• Pauline Dujancourt – A textured jacquard chemise with exaggerated balloon sleeves, paired with a semi-sheer blush pink midi skirt.
• KNWLS – A cream corset with a ruched waist and white boy-cut underwear, styled with a backwards bra and an upside-down tank top clipped onto the suspenders.
• Labrum – A strapless, structured top and matching mini skirt in a vintage newspaper print, with an asymmetric sheer cream overlay skirt detailed with lace-up ties.
• Ginny Litscher – A draped scarf-print blouse integrated with a metal chainlink mesh corset, worn with tapestry-panelled straight-leg jeans.
• Erdem – A crystal-embellished bralette with a pale pink panel and a layered sheer black peplum draped with cascading beaded strass, over a tiered black lace flounced skirt.
• Alexander McQueen – A structured, sheer black lace corset with patent boning and geometric halter straps, anchored by a buckle-fastened leather choker and a floor-length liquid leather maxi skirt.
• Mithridate – A hot pink and navy striped corset with loose-hanging suspenders over a pinstriped shirt with arm garters.
• Simone Rocha – A satin négligée dress with a floral print camisole top, black lace detailing and a pink geo print skirt.
• Annie’s Ibiza – A high-collared, structured beaded shoulder piece with tassel accents, worn with a strapless, high-cut beaded bodysuit.

For more information, visit fashionunited.uk.