Kinds of Corsets
Corsets are garments designed to control the shape of a woman's body, giving her exactly the silhouette she wants for her wedding. They typically lace up the back, and are made of materials like brocade and satin. As compared to wedding dresses and lingerie, they are slightly sturdier, often with lining or boning that helps to shape your figure. There are three basic types of corset available to today's bride:
- Foundation Corsets
- Outerwear Corsets
- Waist-Training Corsets
Below, we'll explore these three options, and how they may play into your wedding day and your wedding preparations.
Foundation Corsets
Foundation corsets are a popular option for brides of all sizes and body shapes. This kind of corset is worn under your dress and helps to smooth your curves, shape and support your chest, and improve your posture. They are often made with flexible boning that allows you plenty of breathing room and a full range of motion -- after all, comfortable is beautiful.
Foundation corsets can reduce your waistline by as much as 1 - 3 in., and are typically custom-fit to exactly match the style of your dress. Some wedding dresses incorporate corsets into their design, while for others a separate garment may be needed. The nice thing about a foundation corset is that it can be used after your wedding any time you feel like prettying yourself or putting a little pizzazz into your shape!
Outerwear Corsets
Outerwear corsets are mostly a bridal fashion statement, though they may also help to shape and support your body. They are generally worn over a long skirt, often with sleeves or a stole. Some brides choose to wear corsets beneath satin or brocade jackets for a striking wedding style. Women with extremely large busts often benefit from the added support a garment of this kind can offer. For those women who are looking for an alternative to a classic wedding dress, outerwear corsets offer an attractive and eye-catching choice.
Waist-Training Corsets
Waist-training corsets are designed to train your body into a different arrangement. By gradually wearing a garment that is tighter, slimmer, and closer to the silhouette you want over a period of months, you can "coach" your bust, waist, and hips into a trim, curvaceous shape for your wedding day. Waist-training corsets are typically 2-4 in. smaller than a woman's natural waist. Brides who choose to use waist-training corsets should begin one to three months before their wedding for best results.
But, Are Corsets Safe?
Though we've all heard horror stories about women being packed into corsets in years past, today corsets can be both safe and comfortable when used properly. The only type of corset which could ever be unsafe is one that is uncomfortable, not allowing you a full range of motion or a full breath. Don't tighten your corset to an uncomfortable level, even when using a waist-training corset!
Corsets can be a valuable addition to your wedding day attire. If you're looking for a way to enhance your curves and give yourself just the figure you've always wanted, a wedding corset may be your dream come true.
