We get it– corsets are expensive, and you’re not going to wear them everywhere. When you’re shopping for one, it’s tempting to scour websites for bargain pieces and rock-bottom sales to make it feel OK to treat yourself. (That goes double for those of us who need plus-size corsets, who already have more limited options and don’t want to shell out even more for a “fat tax” just to get our correct size.)
But are you really doing your body any favors by purchasing cheaply-made corsets that will get warped, develop holes, or pinch and poke you? When you’re committed to buying a corset, it’s worth doing it right. And good news– it doesn’t mean breaking the bank or saving up for years! You can get a quality corset at a reasonable price, but there are things you need to consider before you fixate on the price tag.
To help you out with that, we’ve put together some things to look for when you’re checking out a corset to buy. If you’re able to shop in person at a brick and mortar store, so much the better. You can get professionally measured and fitted by the staff as well as examining the garment quality. If not, though, these are all things you can check on either by reading the entire product description or by contacting the site’s customer service to ask questions.
(Pro tip– we design and manufacture all our own corsets through our Bound Boutique label here at Lotus Blooms, and while you can order online, we also offer in-store fittings and will teach you to properly lace and care for your new piece. We also carry a range of sizes equivalent to XS-4X and every size is priced the same!)
Look for these signs of quality in a corset
- Good corsets are made with durable textiles without a lot of give or stretch, like heavy cotton, brocade, silk or satin, leather, and PVC. That helps give them structure and give you the smooth silhouette that corsets excel at. If a corset is made of spandex or another stretchy material, you can get odd bulges between the boning. If it’s made of thin or flimsy material, there will be too much strain placed on it and it’ll start to tear away from the boning.
- Quality goes all the way to the bones! The boning in a low-quality corset will usually be plastic, which can get distorted or break, or the bottom of the corset will start to roll up. Spiral steel boning is the gold standard for corsets that are intended for regular wear (steel boning that isn’t spiral is strong and rigid, but better for costumes, because it’s less comfortable to move in). It’s made from woven steel wire, where non-spiral is made from flat pieces of steel, and that offers more flexibility without sacrificing the strength. It holds its shape well and is great for waist reduction.
- Beware “corsets” that really aren’t. Many stores will call something a corset because it has light boning and laces up, but it’s really a piece of soft lingerie with corset styling. A real corset has durable structure and support and is able to smooth the lines of your torso. Check out our post “What is a Corset?” to understand the difference.
- Not all corsets are lined, but if you find one that is, that’s a sign of quality. A heavy cotton lining may be used in a piece with a more expensive exterior like brocade or silk, which helps with comfort and with preventing sweat stains on the exterior.
- Laces are another easy place to spot a good vs. a poor quality corset. Lots of very inexpensive corsets– like many of the ones found on places like eBay– come with very flimsy ribbon laces that also aren’t very long (and usually aren’t laced correctly, either). Those will fray, break, and dig into your skin. They’re really worthless– if you get an otherwise-usable corset that has these, just replace them immediately. Look for corsets with flat, heavy cotton laces that are extra long and about the width of a piece of fettuccine. These are heavy-duty, don’t stretch or break, and are more comfortable for a tight-laced wearing.
- Quality corsets will either have traditional metal busks (like our Temptress underbust), steel swing hooks (like our bestselling Cersei underbust), or heavy-duty metal zippers (like our biker-styled Harley overbust) down the front. They’ll be securely sewn in place with boning on each side, and there will be enough fasteners to evenly distribute the tension placed on them when the corset is laced. Avoid small hooks and eyes, which aren’t strong enough to hold up to ordinary stress from a laced corset. Poorly-set, unboned, or cheap plastic zippers will break, pull open, or tear out of the corset.
- If the corset has any other fastenings– like a halter top or decorative buckles– they will also be heavy-duty and easy to open and close. They should also be adjustable. Velcro, tiny snaps, or other cheap solutions aren’t worth the savings.
- You may or may not choose to wear your corset with stockings, but if you want the option, look for a corset that has removable garter straps with metal hooks (not plastic) and strong elastic.
- Look for a generous modesty panel in matching fabric– that’s the rectangular panel sewn to one side of the lacing in the back of the corset, that’s meant to be laid flat against your back under the laces to cover up your skin. (If the ends of your corset easily meet when it’s laced, you might be wearing a corset that’s too big for you. Check out our post on sizing for corsets!) It looks nicer and makes your corset more comfortable by providing a layer between your laces and your skin.
- The grommets in the lacing holes should be metal and feel securely set in place.
- All seams should be strong and finished, all trims securely sewn in place, and all straps or belts reinforced with extra stitching where they’re fastened to the corset. You want to be sure that any part of the corset where tension will be placed on it when the corset is laced, is strong enough to support that tension without ripping or tearing.
How can you afford a quality corset?
When you’re pricing out corsets, think about the cost as something that is divided up among the times you’ll wear it. In other words, a more expensive corset that holds up for years of wear is a better investment than an inexpensive one that only lasts for four wearings.
If you’re crunched for time and can’t wait long enough to save up a lot of money, the good news is that you can still get an off-the-rack corset that’s got all of these quality markers for a price within the $100-200 range. It may take a little bit of comparison shopping, but you can find something you’ll be really happy with AND that’s reasonably-priced.
For instance, if you browse our corset collection, you’ll see that even the more expensive leather or silk corsets are still very affordable– and every one of them meets every standard for quality that we listed in this article.
If you can afford to take your time picking one out, and you’re not married to one specific design, you can also often find good sales. We periodically offer BOGO specials or other discounts on our corsets, including fantastic clearance prices at our annual sidewalk sale in August.
Shop the right corset for your body– and love it well!
Even a high-quality corset won’t feel great if you get one that doesn’t work for your shape, or if it’s improperly laced, not “seasoned”, or is poorly cared-for. Check out our posts on determining the right corset for your body, and on correctly lacing and caring for your corset, and you’ll be well-armed to pick out something you’ll wear and love for years.
Now the only question that remains: How big will your collection get, with so many great choices available?
