Corset History

There has been an attraction to corsets by both sexes for the last several centuries. The construction methods and shapes they produce have changed due to new technology similar to the changes in materials used. In order to reproduce the correct shapes, you may be a better consumer if you have an understanding of the assortment of materials and items you can choose from.

Shaping the Body with Corsets

The oldest corsets are typically those the a minimal amount of reshaping. Your breast shape appears to be in compression and deliver the appearance of a minimal breast silhouhette. To develop this shape you have to constrain and work against the typical shape and inherent curves of woman's body.

Boning and Busks

Success depends on two things: a) strength of boning used, and b) the ability to tighten the lacing. In order for the corset to fit you comfortably you can only lace up and tighten so much, the remainder of the support is done by the boning.

A good boning material is spring steel coated in nylon that provides a light color base and is made in an assortment of widths, lengths, and thicknesses. When you select the spring steel for a corset that will look like it was designed for you the width is of minor concern while your primary focus should be on the thickness. The steel boning characteristic makes a perfect corset because it is clearly flexible but is is extremely difficult to bend.

There are also busk fasteners that open and are used for the front of corsets to allow you to put your corset on and off without help. The first time busks were used was near 1860 and started with a straight simple busk, the complications of the spoon busk was developed around 1870. These items can be found in either our online superstore or our online auctions.