How to Wear a Corset: 4 Ways to Style 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, though many modern corset makers use plastic or nylon instead of the traditional busk. 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), but 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 a variety of fabrics, including satin, cotton, silk, coutil, leather, and velvet, with plastic or metal support frames.

Whether you prefer the traditional version of this shapewear or its more modern equivalent, here are a few corset outfit ideas:

1. 1. As a crop top: Many modern corset shirts fall slightly above or below the belly button, making them ideal to wear as crop tops. 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 some high-rise skinny jeans and add a cardigan on top for warmth. Experiment with different colors and patterns to make the outfit more or less formal. A lace corset crop top with a midi skirt is a dressy, date night look, while a simple white or black corset top with a pair of wide-leg pants or culottes works well as a casual, daytime outfit.
2. 2. As vintage shapewear: Shapewear corsets smooth the silhouette of your torso, tightening the waist and supporting the chest, eliminating the need for a bra if you typically wear one. Wear a corset underneath a vintage dress to more authentically nail a Victorian period costume or a mid-twentieth century outfit. For a modern take, style a shapewear corset under something more slim-fitting, such as a bias-cut or bodycon dress. Select a cotton, silk, or satin corset, as these fabrics slip under the dress without creating any creases or lines.
3. 3. Over a shirt: A leather corset (or corset top) layered over an oversized white button-down shirt is a classic look you can dress up or down. Style this outfit with a pair of leather pants and heels, or turn the look into a mini-dress with a pair of over-the-knee boots. Layer a corset over a top with puff sleeves as a nod to the Middle Ages. In the winter, style a turtleneck sweater under a corset for extra warmth.
4. 4. Over a dress: Accentuate an hourglass figure and highlight your creativity by wearing a corset over a dress. It works well over a flowy piece, such as a maxi dress, or a fitted piece (like a bodycon dress) for some extra edge. Add some character to a T-shirt dress by layering a corset over the top, and cover with a blazer for some classic flair. Alternatively, style a corset over any number of jumpsuits, from billowy and oversized to fitted styles.

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. 1. Select the right waist size. Corset sizes are categorized by waist circumference, so you’ll need to 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 that is 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. 2. Break in your corset. It’s important to break in your corset for comfort and proper sizing when you wear a corset for the first time (or the first few times). Loosely lace up your corset, and only wear it for two hours at a time. As the corset molds into your figure, start to tighten the garment, tying the laces tighter each time you wear the corset.
   
3. 3. Tighten mindfully. If your corset hurts your waist or makes it difficult to breathe, then it’s laced too tight. Although corsets cinch the waist, they should not be painful to wear. Wearing a corset that is too small or too tight can damage your torso. When tightening and lacing your corset, always start loose and gradually tighten over time.

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