Here is the table of types of corsets according to Historical, Styles, shapes, and Purpose. you can choose a unique corset according to your preferences.
Elizabethan Era Corsets
Victorian Era Corsets
Edwardian Era Corsets
Guepiere or Basque
Laced corsets
Ribbon corset
Mid-Bust Corsets
Overbust Corset
Underbust Corset
Waspie
Waist Cincher
Corselets
Waist Trainers
Hourglass Corsets
Pip stem Corsets
Cupped Rib Corsets
Conical Corsets
There are different types of corsets made for various purposes and body shapes. You can wear them under your clothes, and they help boost your confidence, improve posture, and accentuate your body shape and curves.
This guide will help you choose the ideal corset that flatters your body shape, style, and comfort preferences.
A corset is a garment worn tightly around the waist to shape and support the torso. It is typically made of a stiff material like fabric, leather, or even steel boning.
Corsets have a long history and have been worn by both women and men for various reasons throughout different time periods. While the corset has evolved in style and purpose over the centuries, its primary function has been to cinch in the waist, creating an exaggerated hourglass figure and providing support to the upper body.
Corsets can be classified into different types of corset based on corset shapes, purpose, construction, and historical context.
Types of corsets
Finding the perfect corset depends on your body shape, style, and comfort level. Trying on various styles and paying attention to factors such as your bust size and style preferences will help you identify the ideal fit. It is also important to choose a corset made from quality materials that will provide the necessary support and shaping.
Without wasting any time let’s take a glimpse into the different types of corset that women have used, and continue to use, to create different body profiles and waistlines. For better understanding, we have divided the most popular Corsets;
Check out these three fascinating corset types from different historical periods: the Edwardian corsets, the Elizabethan corsets, and the Victorian corsets are the most popular types of corset history.
Corset types: The Corset history
Step back in time to the Elizabethan era (1558-1603), where fashion was taken to the extreme, and the corset was a pivotal piece. The Elizabethan corset created a striking conical shape with a flattened chest and elongated waist, featuring flexible and robust whalebone, and lavishly decorated with intricate embroidery, sparkling jewels, and other exquisite embellishments.
The Victorian era, which took place from 1837 to 1901, saw the rise of the classic hourglass figure, and the corset played a significant role in shaping this look.
Victorian corsets were typically made from whalebone or steel and were designed to cinch the waist tightly while enhancing the bust and hips. These types of corsets were often decorated with lace, ribbon, and other ornate details, and they were a staple of women's fashion during this time.
The Edwardian era, which took place between 1901 and 1910, saw the rise of a new corset style. Edwardian corsets were designed to create a straight, slim silhouette that was popular during this time.
The types of corsets of the era were commonly made from cotton, silk, or satin and boasted a longer and straighter design than their predecessors, making them a preferred option for daily wear.
Corsets, fashionable and body-contouring garments, are available in a variety of lengths, offering choices to suit different needs.
Depending on the positioning of the top and hem, you can find the ideal corset type that highlights your waist or extends to your hips.
Select the corset that best complements your style and flatters your figure gracefully.
Type of corset: waist trainer, over the bust, underbust, waist cincher
A mid-bust corset is designed to support the bust while narrowing the waist. The corset rests right under the chest and goes down to the waist. This type of corset is ideal for women who have a larger bust size and want to create a more hourglass figure.
An overbust corset covers the entire bust area and provides support and shaping for the bust, waist, and hips. This type of corset is suitable for women who want to enhance their bust line and create a more defined waist.
As the name suggests, an underbust corset sits just under the bust and extends down to the waist. It provides support and shaping to the waist and hips while leaving the bust area free. This type of corset is perfect for women who want to create a smooth, hourglass figure without the need for bust support.
A waspie refers to a style of corset that is shorter in length and specifically crafted to tighten the waist. It is perfect for women who want to accentuate their waistline and create a more defined hourglass shape.
A waist cincher is a type of corset that is shorter than a waspie and designed to cinch the waist tightly. It is suitable for women who want to achieve a more defined waistline and flatten their stomach area.
Corselets, are a type of corset that extends down to the hips or thighs, providing full coverage and support for the upper body, waist, hips, and thighs. It is designed to create a smooth, streamlined silhouette and is often used as a foundation garment under formal gowns or wedding dresses.
Corselets come in a variety of styles and designs, with some featuring detachable garter straps for attaching stockings.
A waist trainer is a type of undergarment that's designed to compress the waist and stomach area, creating a slimmer appearance.
Wearing a waist trainer can compress your stomach and waistline, reducing the amount of food you can eat at once, and helping in weight loss. It also improves posture by forcing you to sit or stand straight, alleviating back pain and improving your overall appearance.
Apart from the variation in length, shape, and era, they belong to, corsets can also be classified according to their unique style types of corsets.
Corset Types: Ribbon, Laces, Basque
The Guepiere or Basque corset, which was introduced by Christian Dior in the 1940s, combines three different pieces - a bustier, a waist cincher, and a garter belt - to help shape the waistline, bust, and hips for an attractive silhouette.
Laced corsets, on the other hand, come in three different types depending on the placement of the lacing. These include front-laced, front-and-back-laced, and triple-laced corsets that have lacing on the front, back, and sides to adjust the tightness.
Lastly, the Ribbon corset, which is also known as the modern-day corset, is made of lightweight fabric or fabric strips that can be worn daily without causing excessive pressure or constriction on the body.
Corsets serve a primary function of creating a well-defined body contour and elevating one's natural body shape. The silhouette you opt for plays a crucial role in helping you achieve your specific body shape goal, catering to your preferences and style.
Corset shapes: Hourglass, Pip stem, Cupped Rib, Conical, U-shape
As the name suggests, this silhouette creates an hourglass shape by nipping in at the waist and flaring out at the bust and hips. It is a popular choice for both novice and veteran waist trainers, as it enhances the natural curves of the female anatomy and defines the waistline while maintaining roundness in the bust and hips.
For those who want a more dramatic waistline, the pipe stems corsets silhouette is an excellent option. This silhouette style is generally reserved for advanced waist trainers and tightlacers, as it creates a significant slimming effect of several inches. The pipe stems corset accentuates the waistline vertically by one to two inches and features a cupped shape that curves around the ribcage.
If you prefer a slimmer waistline that expands to a cupped curve around the ribcage without compressing your ribs, the cupped rib corset style may be the best option for you. This silhouette style is ideal for those who want a more defined waistline while minimizing compression to the front and sides of the ribs.
The conical corset silhouette is a straight taper from the top edge of the corset to the waist, similar to the shape of an ice cream cone. This silhouette was popular in history when corsets were used to flatten, slim, and minimize all around. While this silhouette style creates a smaller waistline, it creates less curvature than an hourglass shape, which could cause discomfort in the rib area for women with curvier bodies.
For those who want to start slowly with waist training or prefer minimal shaping and compression, the U-shaped corset silhouette is a great starter piece. This silhouette is a less refined version of the conical shape, making it perfect for comfortable slimming and smoothing to look your best in every ensemble.
The secret to achieving a stunning figure lies in the use of authentic corsets. These corsets offer not only instant results but also the ability to alter your body shape permanently when used consistently over a longer period of time.
It is crucial to purchase a corset that has been well-made using quality fabrics, boning, and cord. However, it can be difficult to determine whether a corset is authentic or not. Here are some tips to help you avoid picking a fake.
Firstly, check the boning of the corset. Authentic corsets require proper steel boning to provide the necessary support for your body and cinch you in. It is important to ensure that your corset features a combination of flat and spiral steel bones.
Typically, there should be about 20 spiral steel bones around the bodice and four flat steel bones near the back. The flat steel bones provide additional support when tightening your corset cord while the spiral steel bones offer greater flexibility and can mold to your body shape.
Secondly, simplicity is key when it comes to authentic corsets. They are designed to be worn under clothing and should, therefore, be plain and simple. This ensures that they fit snugly and smoothly under your clothes.
Thirdly, it is essential to check the fabric of the corset. Authentic waist training corsets are typically made from materials with minimal stretches, such as cotton and brocade.
The fabric should be strong enough to endure tension created by tightening the cord, and also breathable to keep your skin comfortable. It is also important to check the quality of the stitching. Ideally, corsets should be double-stitched for extra durability, ensuring they remain strong even when cinched tightly.
It is important to avoid certain factors when choosing an authentic corset. Plastic boning is a big no-no, as it easily snaps when put under any amount of tension.
Stretchy fabrics and adornments are also not recommended, as they do not offer enough strength to support your body. When purchasing a waist training corset, it is best to spend a bit more money to ensure that you are getting a quality item.
There are different types of corsets in the market and which are good for you depending on individual needs and preferences. Some types of corsets are designed for waist training and can provide significant compression, while others are designed for fashion purposes and may not provide as much shaping or support.
It's important to consider factors such as comfort, fit, material, and level of compression when choosing a corset. Ultimately, the best types of corsets are one that fits well, feels comfortable, and meets your desired outcomes.
What size the corset should I buy?
To determine your corset size, you will need to take accurate measurements of your bust, waist, and hips. You can then use a size chart provided by the corset manufacturer to find the appropriate size.
How tight should a corset be?
A corset should fit snugly but not be too tight. You should be able to breathe comfortably and move your arms and torso without restriction. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to slip one or two fingers under the corset at the top and bottom.
Does wearing a corset slim your waist?
Yes, wearing a corset can help slim your waist by creating a more defined hourglass shape.
What do I wear under my corset?
You can wear a thin layer of clothing or a liner under your corset. A corset liner, cotton t-shirt, or thin camisole can be worn underneath. It's important to avoid wearing bulky clothing, as it can affect the fit of the corset.
Will a corset shape my body?
Yes, wearing a corset can help shape your body by creating a more defined hourglass silhouette.
Do corsets hide belly fat?
Corsets can help compress and smooth out the appearance of belly fat, but they are not a permanent solution. A healthy diet and exercise are the best ways to reduce belly fat.
Are corset results permanent?
The results of wearing a corset are not permanent. While corsets can help shape your body and slim your waist, they are not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle.
How many hours should I wear a corset?
It's recommended to start with wearing a corset for no more than two to three hours a day and gradually increase the wear time as your body adjusts. It's important to listen to your body and take breaks if you feel uncomfortable or experience pain.
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