What’s a woman’s corset?
Originally, around the 16th century, the woman’s corset was used to sculpt women’s waists and keep their breasts compressed and flattened. It is made of two pieces laced together at the back and stapled at the front by a steel busk. This type of corset ensures a flat tummy and perfect support.
At this time the corset is worn underneath the clothes. It has reinforcements such as whalebones and a busk, and it is extremely rigid. Therefore it does not facilitate the movement at all and is even rather constricting.
Fortunately, over the years the shapes and length of the corset evolve. The materials used to make it become more flexible. The shape of the corset becomes softer and enhances the bust more. Thanks to a compression of the waist by lacing, the waist is refined and accentuated. The neckline is more and more prominent and plunging.
Nowadays the women’s corset is no longer hidden and is also worn over clothing. Considered as a glamorous trendy accessory, it sublimates the woman’s body. It can be worn as a daring outfit as well as precious underwear for special occasions.
Elements of the women’s corset
The corset generally consists of 4 construction elements:
- The coutil (very rigid cotton canvas)
- A busk, composed of two metal blades, maintains perfect rigidity on the front of the corset. Its stapling system allows the corset to be closed at the front. The busk is placed on the middle in front of the corset.
- the baleen
- eyelet lacing (metallic)
These four elements perfectly contribute in highlighting the curves of the woman. Considered as pieces of seduction lingerie, corsets are always carefully worked out.
Made to measure, they are an exquisite fusion of contemporary design and traditional haute couture techniques. Tight lacing ensures a perfect fit to the body.
What’s the difference between a corset, a bustier and a cincher?
The corset’s primary mission is to refine a woman’s waist and enhance her hips. At the time of its creation, the fineness of the waist was a very important criterion to define the sensuality of a woman. The breast is at that time not at all considered a sensual part of the body, as it is nowadays, and is rather flattened by the corset.
As for the bustier, its mission is to put the bust forward to sublimate it and give it an exceptional fit. The whaleboned bodice allows to curve the bust and to highlight the breasts. It can be fixed or not by means of straps, covers the bust and goes down lower than a bra …
The cincher is a single piece of lingerie that combines the function of the corset, waistband, bustier and garter belt. It’s called a cincher, sometimes called a “waspie”, because the waist is so fine that it refers to the waist of a wasp. The breasts and the bust are emphasized thanks to the vertical whalebones that lengthen the bust while the garters are lengthening the legs.
How to define the good size for a corset
The size of the corset should be smaller than your actual size since the corsets are made to tighten your waist.
It is common to choose a size 4 inches (10.1 cm) smaller, but for comfort, is also possible to choose 1 inch (2.5 cm) or 2 inches (5.1 cm) smaller. Use the corset lacing for a custom fit.
- S: Size 22″ (55,9cm): For waist 26″ (66 cm), also fits 24 “(61cm) and 25” (63.5 cm)
- M: Size 24″ (60,9cm): For waist 28″ (71.1 cm), also fits 26 “(66cm) and 27” (68,6cm)
- L: Size 26″ (66 cm): For waist 30″ (73 cm), also fits 28″ (71 cm) and 29″ (73,5 cm)
Use lacing for a custom fit. There are different types of lacing. Corsets with self lacing techniques are corsets that are tied at waist height and not at the top of the corset. This will allow you to put it on by yourself without too much difficulty. The corset, equipped with a busk, does not need to be untied when you put it on. Simply loosen the lace at the back, put on the corset and staple the bust and then tighten the laces at your waist.
How to wear a corset and when?
You’ve never tried on a woman’s corset? You have always wanted to wear one but don’t know when to wear it?
The corset is a very glamorous piece of lingerie. As it refines the waist, it also highlights the curves. It is certainly a charming asset, but the most important thing is that you feel good in it. It must imperatively offer you a good support without choking you. You can wear it as precious and exceptional underwear for Valentine’s Day for example.
The women’s corset can also be worn as a daring outfit over jeans and perfecto for a more rock&roll look. Or over trousers or a straight skirt with a blazer for a trendy look.
In any case, wearing a corset will give you new sensations. Opt for a high-end corset from a corsetry. Not only will it last longer, but it will also be more comfortable. Many famous lingerie brands are selling women’s corsets to wear at different occasions: wedding corsets, seduction corsets, waist cincher, …
Two well-known corseteries at Scène Discrète
- The French haute-couture brand Cadolle which manufactures refined and delicate lingerie, famous all over the world. Each corset is a perfect combination of technicality and beauty, elegance and finesse. Thanks to its ancestral know-how and a choice of exceptional materials.
- Kunza Corsetorium , a brand of luxury corsets based in London. Formerly trained at V. Westwood, Kunza creates limited editions of exceptional handmade corsets for a demanding international clientele. She uses the finest quality materials, propelling each piece in her collection into a world of its own. These corsets are an exquisite fusion of contemporary design and traditional haute couture techniques, ensuring the best possible quality and perfect fit.
Browse our exclusive selection of luxury corsets, these pieces of haute couture lingerie created by high quality European craftsmen.
