Corset 101

Buying a corset may sound easy, but there are far more things to consider than many people realize. The type of corset you will need to buy will depend on the purpose you want it to serve, as a corset created for one purpose can be very different from a corset created for another purpose, and may have a dramatically different price tag.

Decide what type of boning you require in your corset, Plastic boning is the cheapest and most common type of boning found in modern corsets. If you're after a pretty top or something to impress in the bedroom, then go for this option.

Steel boning comes in two different types, spiral steel and flat steel. Spiral steel is more flexible than flat steel, and they are often both used in the same corset. This type of boning provides a lot more support than plastic boning and is usually much more comfortable.

Decide whether you want an overbust or underbust corset. An overbust corset covers the breasts, while an underbust corset stops just below them. Underbust corsets are far easier to buy off the rack than overbust corsets as they go by the waist measurement only, rather than waist and bust. 

Take your measurements with a tape measure.If you are buying your corset off the rack you will need to know your waist measurement and, if you are buying an overbust corset, the measurement around your bust. If you are ordering a custom corset online they will tell you what measurements they need. This will probably include the measurements around your bust, just below your bust, your waist and your hips. They will also need to know the vertical distance between each of these measurements in order to give you the best fit possible.

Consider the type of fabric you want, There are a lot of options here and this will have a huge impact on the final look of your corset, so pick carefully.

Consider the way you want your corset to fasten at the front, While most corsets will lace up at the back, there are a number of different options for the front of the corset: 

Look at the different options you have for corsets and pick out one you like. If you are having your corset custom made, find out what your options are and ask to see pictures of each style/fabric. 

Try your corset on, there are a few things you will need to consider when you try on your corset to make sure that it is suitable.

Ask about how you should clean your corset. You can't normally chuck a corset in the washing machine with everything else. Most corsets need to be dry cleaned or hand washed, and they should be cleaned only rarely. Where possible, wear something between the corset and your skin to reduce the frequency of washes. Make sure you will be able to clean your corset before you buy it.