B U S T S T Y L E S

The bustline is very much a defining characteristic of corsets.

It is evident in the general grouping of corsets into underbust and overbust corsets.

Overbust corsets normally cover the breasts at least up to the nipple. Various styles are available for this.

Underbust corsets leave the breast exposed, but may still offer some support.

Waist cinchers start significantly lower than the underbust line. The classic waist cincher is a ribbon-type corset.

I have no experience in making ribbon corsets, so I don't offer them.

H I P S T Y L E S

The available hip styles differ mainly in the length of the corset.

A short hip corset, also known as a riding corset, ends above the hips, with just a small part of the corsets extending out over the hipbone to give support and keep the corset from sliging down and digging into the top of the hips.

Traditionally, these corsets were for horseback riding, where a certain amount of hip mobility is essential.

The most common style today is the mid hip corset, covering the top of the hips and extending downward to about 2" over the hip bone.

The front dips lower to control the tummy, creating a very straight, slim silhouette.

The full hip style reaches further downward, ending just above the pubis and covering half the bottom.

Such corsets are most suitable for wearing under dresses with tight fitting skirts, because the provide excellent tummy control and shaping.

Longer hip styles are available, including the "Titanic" era corsets, which extend to a point where the corset will touch the seat when the wearer sits down, and fetish corsets / corset dresses, in which the wearer cannot sit at all.

W A I S T S T Y L E S

Most notable among the waist styles are the hourglass shape, commonly associated with the Victorian era, and the wasp waist, mostly found in Edwardian corsetry.

The hourglass is a shape that is easy to wear, because it exerts very little pressure on the lower ribs.

However, at greater reduction, it can be less than pleasing to the eye, giving that nipped-in, sausage link effect.

The wasp waist is harder to wear, but gives the more pleasing shape. It creates an upper body shape that tapers smoothly into a small waist, then opening up again to accomodate the hips.

S T E M W A I S T S

All waist styles can be constructed as stem waists.

In a stem-waisted corset, a certain distance at the waist is straight, giving the same circumference over a certain length.

This is a style that is very hard to wear, it takes much training before a longer stem waist can even be tried.

Stem waisted corsets place great pressure on the lower ribs.

While a 1" stem is quite easily achieved for an experienced wearer, longer stems require dedication in wearing.

O T H E R O P T I O N S

All overbust styles can optionally be made with a neckholder (halter neck), and lapels.

N E C K C O R S E T S

For each corset, a matching neck corset may be ordered.

Neck corsets can be quite tall and restrictive, or they can be much shorter and more of a decoration than a restriction.

They can be made with lacing or velcro closure. Elastic inserts at the rear are also possible, to increase the wearing confort of the decorative pieces.

If a neck corset is ordered as an accessory to a corset, it is available at a discount.

O V E R B U S T C O R S E T

The image to the right shows a classic overbust style.

The corset extends upward to cover the breasts.

The shape of the top edge can be varied easily, and at no extra cost.

C O R S E T W I T H C U P S

This is an overbust corset with cups.

The corset features underwire bra cups for perfect shaping and support.

H A L F B U S T C O R S E T

Half bust corsets cover the lower half of the bust.

They lift the breasts and produce a pronounced upper breast curve.

U N D E R B U S T C O R S E T

The underbust corset, shown to the right, does not cover the bust at all.

It leaves you free to wear whatever bra you choose.

If a corset is worn as a daily foundation garment, this is the most flexible style.

S H O R T H I P C O R S E T

This image shows the riding corset.

It's short hip line makes it easy to move the hips, for instance for horseback riding or latin dance styles.

M I D H I P C O R S E T

The mid hip corset is the most often worn style.

It combines the confort of a longer hip style, which distributes the pressure much better than a riding corset, with the mobility of the shorter style.

For daily wear, this is the preferred hip style.

L O N G H I P C O R S E T

The long hip style is quite restrictive. It provides excellent tummy control, though, and is suitable for wear with long dresses.

When wearing fitted skirts, the style presents an absolutely flat, smooth front.

T I T A N I C E R A C O R S E T

This is the style of corset worn in the era of the Titanic.

It is suitable for period pieces, meant to be worn under full skirts.

This style, of all the possible styles, has the most influence on posture, as it makes slouching absolutely impossible.

This style cannot be worn with trousers of any kind.

C O R S E T D R E S S

Corset dresses are used in corset and obedience training.

They are worn to fetish events and in the home.

Sitting is impossible in a corset dress, where the boning is full length.

It reduces the wearer to taking very small steps, and can be tightened so far that walking is no longer possible.

Most often, they are used for punishment and sub/sissy training.

W A I S T S T Y L E S

Three waist styles are possible.

On the right, the wasp waist, also known as cone, or ice-cream cone, is shown.

The upper body tapers smoothly down to a narrow waist, from where the hips flare out.

This style requires some training to wear, but is aesthetically pleasing and well worth the effort.

The hourglass style gives more rib room.

It was common in the Victorian era. It is easy to wear and get used to, and creates pleasing results at light or moderate reductions.

With greater reduction, it can give the impression that a tight belt, rather than a corset, is worn.

The stem waist, also referred to as pipe-stem, is the hardest waist style to wear.

It exerts extreme pressure on the lower ribs.

Stem waisted corsets were never worn as regular garments, there are even articles on the internet, claiming that stem waisted corsets are a myth.

Several makers, including myself, make them, and some notable tightlacers wear stem waist corsets.

A stem can be added to any corset style.

O T H E R O P T I O N S

Additionally, most overbust styles can be made with a halter top, as shown here.

Lapels can be added to some styles as well for the more stylish look.

This is an interesting option for outerwear corsets.