Corset History

There has always been a following for corsets by both sexes for many hundreds of years. The shaping forms and construction techniques have changed due to new technology similar to the changes in materials used. In order to develop the shape you desire, you need to have knowledge of the assortment of materials and items you can choose from.

Shaping the Body with Corsets

The first corsets have usually produces figures with a minimal amount of curves or shapes. Your breast shape appears to be in compression and their appearance changed to look minimized. 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 boning provides the remainder of the support.

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 selecting the spring steel boning for the best corset for you the thickness, and not the width, should be of primary importance. You can tell when you have selected the proper spring steel boning because it is flexible and pliable, but it is very hard to bend it.

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. These did not appear until around 1860 and began with the straight busk, the spoon busk appeared shortly afterward in about 1870. Both items can be found in our online shop.