How To Style A Corset

Pair a short corset with a mini skirt for a night on the town or a pair of menswear-inspired slacks for a formal dinner. Tuck a strapless white corset into skinny high-rise jeans and add a warm cardigan. Experiment with different colors and patterns to make the outfit more or less formal.

What Is A Corset?

Traditionally, a corset is an undergarment worn on the torso that shapes or trains the body into an hourglass silhouette. Often seen in period fashion, a classic corset comprises two panels of fabric that clasp in the front and lace up the back, allowing wearers to tie it as tightly as they like to cinch the waist.

Historically—in the sixteenth through nineteenth centuries—corset whalebone or steel boning reinforced the corset shape. However, many modern corset makers use plastic or nylon instead of the traditional busk. In addition, present-day fashion retailers have adapted the traditional corset silhouette into more casual corset tops, which cinch the waist and support the breasts (like a bustier). Still, they often do not contain reinforced boning because it hampers movement. However, many modern pieces of shapewear (including waist training undergarments, which shape the torso into a distinct curve over time) share the same purpose as a corset: to boost the bust and streamline the waist.

Wear corsets as a lingerie outfit piece, shirt, shapewear, or costume. Modern corsetry features garments in various fabrics, including satin, cotton, silk, coutil, leather, and velvet, with plastic or metal support frames.

Tips For Wearing A Corset

The key to wearing a corset is choosing the right fit and gradually tightening it over time to encourage comfort and prevent injury. Follow these tips if you want to wear a traditional lace-and-clasp boned corset.

1. Select the right waist size. Corset sizes are categorized by waist circumference, so you must measure yours. Wrap a measuring tape around the natural curve of your waistline, guiding the tape across your belly button. Your corset size will be slightly smaller than your waist measurement. If your waist circumference is less than thirty-eight inches, select a corset size four to seven inches less than your natural waist. For waist measurements over thirty-eight inches, select a corset size seven to ten inches smaller than your natural waist measurement. Don’t worry about sizing too small—the lacing makes the garment adjustable.
2. Break in your corset. It’s important to break in your corset for comfort and proper sizing when you wear it for the first time (or the first few times). First, loosely lace up your corset, and only wear it for two hours. Then, as the corset molds into your figure, tighten the garment, tying the laces tighter each time you wear the corset.
3. Tighten mindfully. If your corset hurts your waist or makes breathing difficult, it’s laced too tight. Although corsets cinch the waist, they should not be painful to wear. Wearing a too small or tight corset can damage your torso. When tightening and lacing your corset, always start loose and gradually tighten over time.

9 Ways To Wear A Corset Top

Once upon a time, corsets were considered an extreme fashion choice. You mostly saw them on Halloween, as part of a sexy princess costume or Moulin Rouge moment, or spotted them on the red carpet, worn by “It” celebrities in the late ’90s and early ’00s. Even when the “going out” top was in its prime or fashion fully embraced lingerie as everyday wear, corsets never truly felt like a wardrobe staple. They were special, fun, and unexpected.

This Bridgerton-approved trend has garnered its fair share of celebrity fans over the past few years, from Kim Kardashian to Kerry Washington — and it doesn’t seem like the sexy staple is going anywhere. It’s now become the norm to wear corsets with baggy joggers and cargo pants, style them with suits, and layer them over button-downs. You can invest in a bedazzled corset for a fancy occasion or try a cute corset mini dress for a quick date night look.

1- With Structured Pieces

Whether it’s trousers, a blazer, or a full suit, the contrast between something so sexy and something sharp will make for an eye-catching combination.

2- With Jeans

There’s a reason jeans continue to be a mainstay in our wardrobe: they look great with everything! Instead of choosing a slim-fit pair of denim, try a design with a wider leg to balance out this form-fitting top.

3- With a Dress

This corset outfit idea has the potential of looking a little costumey, so if that’s not the goal, just keep things simple. Pair pieces from similar color families (ex: beige with brown or cream with light pink) to easily blend, or style a bright-colored corset over a neutral dress for a look that pops.

4- With Joggers

While it may sound strange, these contrasting pieces create an athleisure ensemble that feels very ’90s — and is pretty comfy, too. If sweatpants feel too casual, trade them for some baggy cargo and nail the old-school popstar look.

5- With A Skirt

A mini skill will bring things back to the Y2K era (especially with the addition of knee-high boots). At the same time, maxis tend to give off ethereal, bohemian vibes.

6- With A Little Leather

Something about this specific combo reminds us of vampires — and TBH, we’re into it. Combine a lacy black corset with leather pants or a long leather blazer for an outfit ready for a fun night out.

7- Over A Button-Down Shirt

Although corsets have historically been considered undergarments, they don’t have to be. Play with layering and use it to spice up your favorite basics, whether a long white button-down or a casual graphic tee.

8- With Coordinating Pieces

Go monochromatic and style your corset with coordinating bottoms and accessories. There’s no need for the pieces to match perfectly — simply sticking to a single color scheme will still feel intentional and sleek.

9- With Shorts

Since many corsets allow the wearer to show much skin, this piece is perfect for warmer temperatures and pairs perfectly with shorts. Go for a casual look with basic bike shorts, reach for a classic denim pair, or dress up your corset with some structured bottoms.

How To Clean A Corset

‘Give your corset air and sunshine if you want it sweet and odorless. You should not expect the best results from your corset without a second one to wear alternately. Any corset needs a rest; two corsets worn alternately will give more satisfaction and service than the same two corsets, each worn continuously until worn out, just as two or three pairs of shoes last longer when worn alternately.

To keep a corset sweet and odorless, it should be laundered when necessary, as is any other garment. Washing will not injure a Spirella corset in the least if done under the right conditions, and laundering a corset made of cotton fabric is very simple. Therefore, there is no reason why Spirella corsets should not be washed as often as is necessary.

To launder a Spirella corset:

1. Use plenty of soft, lukewarm water, a pure soap, like Castile, free from alkalis and acids, and a stiff hand brush.
2. Remove the lace, spread the corset on a clean wooden or oil-cloth-covered table, and scrub vigorously with a brush and good soapsuds on both sides.
3. Rinse well in lukewarm water until all the soap is removed, changing the water often.
4. Rinse in cold water, using a little bluing.’

(Spirella Consumers’ Manual, 1913)

‘To keep corsets clean and fresh, washing them from time to time is advisable. However, corsets of expensive material or colored material should not be washed; rather, they should be dry-cleaned or French-cleaned to keep the material new and fresh in appearance.

To wash a corset, proceed as follows: Lay the corset out on a clean table or in a wash tub, and then scrub it with a brush and good, hot soap suds. A corset should not be boiled because boiling will ruin the elastic in the hose supporters, nor should it be run through a clothes wringer for fear of injuring the clasps. After scrubbing it well, rinse it several times to remove all the suds.

When the corset is rinsed, pull and stretch it lengthwise so that there will be no wrinkles in the stays; then hang it in the sun, and when it is almost dry, put it on for a few minutes to stretch it into the correct shape. Finally, hang it on a line and allow it to remain there until it is perfectly dry when it will be ready for wear.’ (Corsets And Close-Fitting Patterns, 1915)

FAQ’s

What does a corset do?

A corset is a piece of clothing that tightens around the waist to create an hourglass shape. In the past, corsets were laced up in the back with boning, but today’s corsets can be made of elastic or other materials.

How can one style a corset?

There are many different ways to style corsets, depending on the occasion and your personal style. They can be layered over a t-shirt or blouse, worn under a blazer or jacket, paired with high-waisted skirts or pants, or worn as a top on their own. They can also be dressed down with sneakers and a denim jacket and statement jewelry, heels, and a clutch.

What factors should be taken into account when selecting a corset?

Consider the fit and level of comfort when selecting a corset. The waist should be cinched in by a well-fitted corset without making breathing difficult or uncomfortable. The material and style of the corset should also be taken into consideration, as some designs may be better suited to particular occasions or body types.

What would it be a good idea for you to wear under a bodice?

You can choose to wear a bra or pasties underneath the corset to cover up any unwanted skin, but this will depend on the style and fit. Wearing shaping shorts or high-waisted underwear can also help create a smooth silhouette and hide lines.

How can you incorporate accessories into a corset outfit?

A corset outfit can be elevated and given personality by accessories. Earrings or a necklace that makes a statement can draw attention to the face and add sparkle to an outfit. A clutch or small purse can be a stylish and practical accessory. Shoes are also important; depending on the occasion, a corset outfit can be completed with heels, sandals, or boots.