Corset Chronicle

Corsets have been used as a fashion item by both men and women for the last several 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 best 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 older corsets tend to be ones with the least amount of reshaping. The breasts look 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.

Busks and Boning

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, you should rely on the boning for providing the rest of the support.

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 width takes precedence over thickness. You know when you have selected a corset with the correct steel boning because it is clearly flexible but is is extremely difficult to bend.

There are also busk fasteners that open and are sometimes used on the front of corsets to allow you to slide into and out of your corset without another person's help. The first time busks were used was near 1860 and initiated with the straight busk, the more intricate spoon busk followed. Both of these items can be located in our online corset superstore.