Corset Chronicle

There has always been a following for corsets by both sexes for the last several centuries. The form and construction techniques have changed over time. and so have the types of materials used. For you to reproduce the correct shapes, you need to have an understanding of the materials available to you on today’s market.

Using Corsets to Shape the Body

The oldest created corsets are typically those with a minimal amount of curves. Your breast shape looks to be extremely compressed and create the appearance of a minimized profile. To attain this shape you have to constrain and work against the typical shape and inherent curves of woman's body.

Busks and Boning

A successful corset design is related to two components: a) the characteristics of the boning material used, and b) the level of lacing tightening. If you want the corset to feel comfortable when you are wearing it you can only lace up and tighten so much, the remainder of the support is done by the boning.

A useful boning material is nylon cased spring steel that delivers a pale color base and comes in different widths, thickness and length. When choosing a spring steel for your corset the "thickness" is more important than the width. The steel boning characteristic makes a perfect corset because it is pliable and flexible, but it is nearly impossible to bend them.

You can also use busk fasteners that open and are typically used with 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 complications of the spoon busk was developed around 1870. These items can be found in either our online superstore or our online auctions.