Corset, Bustier, Basque

Corsets - Creating Shapely Women

Women have been wearing corsets and basques for centuries. The earliest corsets were used in France during the late 16th to 17th centuries. They help give a woman a sexy hourglass figure and work as an efficient brassiere to give women a shapely bustline. A basque is a longer version of the corset.

The beauty of a corset is in the design and the fact that it can take about 4-10cm off a woman's waistline. This was accomplished with the use of steel or bone ribs that run vertically along the garment. This lovely benefit is the main reason corsets are still a fashion favourite for any woman who would like to shape her figure a little more and fit better in clothing, no matter the body shape or style.

There are several different corset styles that are still very popular today. Some are made especially for wearing under clothing with soft silky fabrics that hide seamlessly under clothing while others are made with a fun decorative touch for enjoyment all on their own.

When to Wear a Corset

Choose a corset to wear under everyday outfits like business attire, formal wear, casual clothing and more. You can even incorporate a corset into outfits by throwing a skirt and cropped jacket or cardigan on top of it. The top of the corset will simply look like a fashionable bustier top or camisole.

Many women believe that corsets should only be enjoyed in the privacy of their home but they are actually a fun piece to wear anytime and anywhere. It all depends on how it makes you look and feel. Although corsets may seem like uncomfortable fashion pieces, they can be very comfortable and flattering for almost any figure, as long as the proper fit is chosen. Todays "boning" is usually plastic and not as stiff as steel or bone!

Corset Fitting

The main measurements that you should always get for a corset are the bust, cup, waist and hips. Since corsets also work as a brassire, you will need the same measurements as you would for a standard bra. The waist and hips should always be measured to find the best size for your body. Many women will skip their measurements and buy the size they wish to fit into, but this can cause a few problems. While you will be able to adjust the fit with the laces, it's important to start with a size that fits well or else you could cause bunching, discomfort and even cut off circulation to the body.

Corsets are a great choice for women of all body shapes and sizes since it's adjustable and offers great shaping. They are ideal for reinforcing hourglass shapes, giving women with a pear shape a more proportioned look up top and adding feminine curves to women with a straight body.