For women, corsets are worn to create or emphasize a curvy figure by reducing the waist, which exaggerates the bust and hip areas. In the past, corsets were worn to achieve a tubular, straight torso shape, which also involves minimizing the bust and hips. Corsets are also worn by men to slim down the figure. During the 1900s, there was a period when corsets were worn by men to achieve the hourglass figure"a small, cinched-in looking waist.



By enclosing the torso, usually from the under the arms down to the top of the hips, a corset can change your body's shape. A few of them can extend towards the hips and in some cases the knee. A waist cincher is a shorter type of corset that covers only the waist area, which is from below the ribs to just above the hip area. Others can have garters and stockings.

Corsets are usually made from flexible materials like cloth and leather. By a process called boning, ribs or stays are put into channels inside the fabric to stiffen it up. The most common materials for this are ivory, wood and cane. Whalebone and steel were the favored material during the Victorian era. Nowadays, the high quality corsets are made from plastic and steel.

Almost all corsets are tied together by at the back using laces. Tightening or loosening the lacing will adjust the stiffness of the corset. Tying a back-laced corset is difficult, although not impossible.

Corsets can give you reduced back-pain and improved muscular system; comfort for big bosomed women who do not want to wear brassieres; improved figure even without dieting, slimming drugs, or undergoing any cosmetic surgery; and increased body temperature that is useful for cooler climates. So consider getting one now and feel the difference.

Many of the corsets you see on display today are in essence not corsets when you compare them to true ones. Although modern corset tops have lacing or boning, mimicking traditional corsets, they have very little effect on the shape torso. Real corsets have to be fitted by professional corset makers for a good fit.