Corset Chronicle

Corsets have been used as a fashion item by both men and women for centuries. The form and construction techniques have been on a continual pattern of change similar to the modernization in the materials and items used. For you to develop the correct shape for you, you might be better informed if you have an understanding of the types of materials used in today's corsets.

Corsets for Shaping the Body

The ancient corsets are usually those with a moderate amount of curves or reshaping. The breast flesh tends to be greatly flattened and their appearance reshaped. To develop this silhouette you must work against the curves and shape of of a woman's body.

Corsets: Lacing, Boning and Busks

Success depends on two things: a) strength of boning used, and b) the tightening level allowed by the lacing. To ensure you are comfortable while wearing your corset you can only tighten and lace up to a point, the rest of the support is delivered by the function of the boning.

Spring steel boning is nylon-coated steel that is white in color and is manufactured in a collection of widths, lengths, and thicknesses. When you are looking to select steel boning for your favorite corset style the thickness is of primary importance. The steel boning characteristic makes a perfect corset because it is pliable and flexible, but it is nearly impossible to bend them.

You can sometimes find busk fasteners that open and are often used on the front of corsets to allow you to dress yourself in the corset without assistance. The first appearance of a busk on a corset was near 1860 and initiated with the straight busk, the elaborate and intricate spoon busk was invented a decade later. The entire collection of thse corsets can be found in our online auctions or superstore.