In last week’s review of Timeless Trends, I touched on the distinction between handmade and factory-produced corsets. Understandably, this drew some confusion. “Handmade” is not a regulated term and indeed sewn goods are created on machines manned by humans. So what defines a handmade piece? And what are the benefits to mass-manufacturing? How Do We Define “Handmade?” Each factory will have their own process for mass production. I’ve only worked […]
Nothing sculpts the body as quickly and effectively as a well-made corset. Unfortunately, because modern clothes are often cut to a very straight proportion, the effect is often lost just as quickly. If you’ve been waist training and find your corset styling efforts thwarted by the loose waistlines of your clothes, then this is the post for you! Here are several corset accessories I’ve used to great effect to show off my cinched […]
Corsets are complex beasts! Their creation requires not only exacting techniques, but some specialized components as well. Today I’m going to discuss the basic elements of a corset in their most common forms. As corsets have such a long history and can be assembled with a range of techniques, there are plenty of variations on these parts. Here I’ll be focusing on the most widely used types. Understanding basic corset construction can […]
There’s an unfortunate misconception that corsets can only be worn by certain body types. Often when I am working an event (as opposed to in front of a sewing machine), I will hear the following sentence: “They won’t have a corset that fits me, I’m too…” But let me be clear. Just as there’s no such thing as a “bikini body,” there’s no requirement for any dimension or proportion for you to wear a […]
In corsetry, there are certain standards that are widely accepted or even assumed, either tacitly or overtly. Examples of this might include the old “20 bones” minimum, multi-layer coutil construction, the idea of “seasoning,” and vocabulary such as “bespoke.” How did these standards come to be? In a market that is simultaneously niche and diverse, who is the arbiter of such things? And with so many novel corsetry concepts, from […]
