Sexy Corset Buyer's Guide - Basque or Bustier?!

Once a staple piece of clothing in any discerning Victorian woman's wardrobe, corsets have come back into fashion not just because of their unique slimming qualities but for their stylish design too.

Whether you want to wear a corset out on the town or in the bedroom, you can't go wrong with any of the sexy little numbers in our fabulous basque, corset and bustier collection!

As gorgeous as they look, we regularly receive lots of questions about corsets, from how to put one on to how to get the right size for your body.

But search no more! We will teach you the basics and beyond so you can wear your corset, basque or bustier like a pro!

Basques, Corsets and Bustiers - What's the difference?

A basque is made up of thin, breathable material and has plastic boning in the key areas. Unlike a corset, a basque is much more flexible and is great for wearing in the bedroom as you can perform all sorts of sexual stunts and impressive positions without needing to take it off! The fit is always tight but it won't alter the body shape - it will just emphasise it. Most basques will feature a lace-up front and a hook and eye back.

Bustiers are sexy when worn as outerwear but exceptionally naughty when worn in the bedroom! Often being made of stretchy and sheer materials, bustiers usually don't feature boning but find other ways to boost the breasts such as underwiring and tailored fitting. Bustiers are usually cut quite short, reaching to just past the ribs or to the top of the waist.

Corsets are steel or plastic boned pieces of lingerie that will significantly alter the body into an hourglass shape by slimming the waist and accentuating the hips and bust. Many people wear them as both underwear and outerwear and will wear specially designed corsets for long periods of time (this is called waist training) to achieve a semi-permanent change to their body shape. Most corsets will feature a lace-up back and a busk front.

Metal or Plastic?

Traditionally made of unforgiving whale bone, modern corsets usually feature plastic or steel boning. The basic rule of thumb is that if you intend on doing anything remotely strenuous or requiring you to bend over - go for plastic! If you're happy to sit pretty and be waited upon - go for steel!

Plastic boning is strong and will help to create an hourglass figure but it won't significantly decrease your waist size.

Corsets with plastic boning are great for wearing out on the town as they allow you a large range of movement and will flex to however your body is at the time.

Steel boning is really strong and will actually reduce your waist size by up to 4 inches. Although it sounds scary, steel boning is actually made up of metal springs that have been press flattened and are therefore often referred to as spiral steel boning.

Steel boning will flex in two directions and can be used to create a corset that is exceptionally supportive. However, if you choose a steel boned corset you will have to sacrifice some movement - it is hard to twist your body or slouch when you're wearing one!

Getting it to fit right

The sizing for corsets seems very confusing but once you know how, you'll be able to pick out a new piece of lingerie with ease!

Plastic boned bustiers, basques and corsets
If a piece of lingerie has plastic boning, it is sized like a bra. Take a look in the back of your most comfortable fitting bra and note down the size. You should then choose your basque, bustier or corset according to your bust size (the bit in inches)!

As plastic boned corsets are so flexible and adjustable, each size can accommodate an A to a D cup.

So, if you are a 32A, B, C or D cup - you will need a size 32. If you are bigger than a D cup, you will need to go up a size. For example, if you are a 32DD, go for a size 34.

Spiral steel boned corsets
If a corset is listed as having spiral steel boning, it is sized by waist circumference. Stand up straight and measure around your waist in inches - your waist is the slimmest part of your stomach just below your ribs.

Spiral steel boned corsets are designed to work hard and reduce your waist size by up to 4 inches, so take your natural waist measurement and deduct 3 to 4 inches from it. For example, if your waist measures 28 inches, you will need a corset that is a size 24.

If you are worried about it being too tight then minus just 3 inches from your natural waist size instead. The point of a steel boned corset is to slim the waist and boost the bust so it should be very tight fitting.

Remember, if it doesn't fit you can always use our free returns service and receive a replacement in a different size!

Getting into the damn thing

Remember how hard it was to put your first bra on? That's how fiddly and annoying a corset can be, but with a little practice it gets easier!

First, loosen the laces on your corset. You don't want them excessively loose so that they end up all tangled, so open it to the point that it will fit your natural waist size.

Secondly, wrap the corset around you, making sure it's in the right place, and fasten the front hook and eye busk starting at the top and working your way down to the bottom.

Turn to the side in front of a mirror so you can see what you're doing and start tightening the laces one by one, starting at the top and working your way down. For the most comfortable and even fit, pull one set of strings tight then grab the set beneath it and start tightening them whilst still holding the first set - this will stop it from re-loosening itself.

Once you've got down to the middle where the first set of laces stop (or where the pull loops are) give them a final pull and either tie them in place or leave them to hang - the natural tightness of the corset will stop them from loosening too much!

Now, tighten the bottom set of laces one by one working in the opposite direction - from bottom to top. Once again, when you get to where the laces stop or where the pull loops are, give it another firm pull to remove any excess.

Cross the laces over and tie them together. Many people like to wrap the long laces around the front of the corset and tie them in place, but others prefer to leave them at the back - it's your call!

Once you're laced in take a look - the corset should cling to the natural curve of your hips and bust and exaggerate how slim your waist is. The laces should be tight, even and have no slack in between them. Now, go and be admired!

Get me out of here!

Getting out of a corset is a lot easier than getting into it!

Untie the laces and start to loosen each row. Once the laces are loose enough, you should be able to undo the busk with ease and just slip out! If you are having some trouble, you will need to loosen the laces more.

Never force the busk on a corset open - you will end up damaging it! As time consuming as it is, loosening the laces will not only make getting out of the corset much easier, but it will prolong its wearable life too. 

Corset Glossary

When buying a corset, these terms will be used a lot so get familiar with them and you'll end up with a corset you love!

Busk - The fastening on the front of a corset with what look like big hook and eye fastenings. It is usually made of metal and in good quality corsets, will stay firmly closed and reveal no flesh underneath.
Pull Loops - If the top set of laces and bottom set of laces on your corset are actually joined together, you will have a set of loops in the middle which need to be pulled and adjusted to get the perfect fit.
Steel Boning - Most often refers to spiral steel, the flexible yet firm boning in most high quality classic corsets.
Plastic Boning - Reinforced plastic that can twist, bend and flex more than any other kind of corset boning. Often used in basques or decorational corsets as it won't create an hourglass figure, just emphasise your natural shape.
Modesty Panel - A piece of material that is sewn into the inside of the corset near the lace-up back section. A modesty panel lies flat against the body and prevents any skin from showing but can be folded over if you want to flaunt some flesh!