Corset

Corsets for those perfect contours!

Aspiring for that perfect hourglass figure? Desperately working out to don a svelte, sultry model-like contour? Well, if yes try out a corset. Since years, this garment has been worn to mold and shape the torso into a desired shape for aesthetic or medical purposes. For years, women around the world have used corsets to slim the body and contour it into a fashionable silhouette. Unlike the traditional corsets which were found to be very effective, the corsets of today are just a mimic of the old effective ones and hardly produce any effect in shaping the wearers body.

The main purpose of corsets worn by women is to reduce the waist line and accentuate the defined hips and bust line thereby revealing a curvy attractive figure. Corsets broadly fall under the categories of over bust corsets and under bust corsets. While an over bust corset encloses the torso, extending from just under the arms to the hips, an under bust one starts from just under the breasts and extends down to the hips. There is yet another shorter kind of corsets which covers the waist area and is known as waist clinchers. Some corsets extend over the hips and, in very rare instances, reach the knees. Sometimes a corset comes included with garters to hold up stockings. Corsets are sometimes used for medical purposes to correct spinal problems or internal injuries.

Corset making is done specially by corset manufacturers in a fit that is tight enough for the wearer. The exclusive craft of constructing a corset is known by the term corsetry and the term corsetiere implies the person who makes it. Held together by lacing a corset is tightened or loosened with the help of these laces which in turn influences the firmness of a corset. As it is difficult for wearer to tighten the corset, during Victorian days women used to get it done by their maids. However, tight lacing plays a significant role in reducing the waist size. The whole purpose of wearing a corset is lost if it is not tightened.

Over the years a corset has experienced periodic revivals that have brought about several considerable changes in its shape and appearance. But the fact is that majority if corset that appeared during this period of revival were just a mimic of the actual ones and hardly served the purpose. Modern day corsets are however primarily worn for the purpose of waist reduction. Recently, the term corset has been heavily borrowed by the fashion industry to refer to tops that are similar to a corset in appearance but do not act as one. These tops are adorned with laces and mainly cater to the tastes of gothic fashion freaks.