Corsets and Bustiers
Corsets and Bustiers Still Popular after All these Years
Corsets and bustiers have been around for hundreds of years. The English word corset derives from the French word for body and was first used in 1785.
The earliest designs included stays made of genuine bone. They were meant to shape or reshape the waist and bosom. Metal stays eventually replaced the bones.
Today’s corset may include stays made of plastic. The stays may help to reshape the body as a girdle would, but they often have very little effect on the shape of a woman’s body.
That could be a good thing. The original garments could be too tight around a woman’s waist. They could actually make it difficult to breathe and may explain why fainting women were pretty common in earlier centuries.
Most women wear corsets and bustiers as a form of lingerie, sometimes coupled with fish-net stockings that attach to the bottom of the corset via an elastic strap. Lacy panties or thongs are usually chosen to complete the look. Popular colors for this type of lingerie include black, red and white. Other colors are available in some styles.
Many of the tops can be worn out with pants or shirts to casual events. Some women choose to wear an over-shirt or jacket, treating the garment like a camisole.
Front zippers are common, although some designs zip up the side. Buttons, hooks or buckles can also be used to secure the corset top.
The bustier or bustiers is a shorter undergarment that is often strapless. The under-stays are meant to lift the breasts and push them together, making a woman look more “busty” than she actually is.
The garments became a popular alternative to corsets, because they were gentler. They shape the waist slightly, without making it difficult to breathe.
Bras all but replaced the other undergarments for many years. The push-up bra provided the lifting and shaping of the bustier. Before the push-up bras, there were under-wires.
Most women find the bras more comfortable and more effective than the old-fashioned undergarments. But corsets and bustiers are usually thought of as sexier.
The Basque is longer than a bustier. What is often thought of as a long corset was originally referred to as a Basque. In modern usage, the word may also be used to refer to specific details of a garment including lace trim and cutouts.
You will find a huge selection of affordable corsets and bustiers in all styles and sizes online. You can be daring and make a memorable impression without spending a fortune.
|
