Corset History

There has always been a following for corsets by both sexes for the last several hundred 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 items available to you today.

Shaping the Body with Corsets

The oldest created corsets are typically the ones with a moderate amount of curves or reshaping. The breast flesh tends to be in compression and their appearance changed to look minimized. To create this profile you have to constrain and work against the typical shape and inherent curves of woman's body.

Corsets: Lacing, Boning and Busks

Success depends on two things: a) strength of boning used, and b) tightness of lacing. For the sake of comfort you can only lace up and tighten so much, the remainder of the support is done by the boning.

One of the most popular types of boning is steel boning covered 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 the best looking corset for your shape 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 pliable and flexible, but it is nearly impossible to bend them.

Busk fasteners are also used, they open and are used for the front of corsets to enable you to get into and out of your corset without help. These did not appear until around 1860 and began with the straight busk, the spoon busk appeared shortly afterward in about 1870. All of these items can be found in our online corset store.