Corset Record

Corsets have been worn by both sexes for the last several hundred years. The types of shapes and construction techniques have changed over time. and so have the types of materials used. If you are trying to create the figure you covet, you should have an understanding of the items and materials you can select from.

Body Shaping and Corsets

The corsets built a long time ago have usually been the ones with the least amount of reshaping. The breasts look to be greatly flattened and provide the appearance of a minimized breast profile. To create this shape you have to reshape the general curves and shape of a female's profile.

Corset Facts about Boning, Lacing, and Busks

Success depends on two things: a) strength of boning used, and b) tightness of 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 comes in a group of thicknesses, widths, and lengths. When you are making a selection for the type of steel boning for a corset that will look like it was designed for you the thickness gives way to the width in importance. You are sure when you purchase a corset with the best 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 in 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 inclusion of a simple busk, the more detailed spoon busk was created ten years later. All of these items can be found in our online corset store.