CORSETS are versatile – they can tame your curves, spice up your sex life and add some much-needed sass to any outfit.
Traditionally a boned undergarment designed to hold women in since medieval times, they've evolved over time to become something altogether more playful (and less patriarchal).
The fashion world can’t get enough of them. In the 1970s Vivienne Westwood reimagined corsets through a punk lens and in the 1980s, Jean Paul Gaultier used them to create those iconic ‘underwear as outerwear’ looks loved by Madonna – yes, we’re talking about the cone bra.
Fast forward twenty years and, thanks to John Galliano’s stint at Dior, corsets hint peak mainstream style with celebs such as Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Victoria Beckham and Keira Knightley pairing them with low-slung jeans on the red carpet.
Nowadays they’re a little less noughties, a little more elegant.
Labels like Prada and Isabel Marant frequently have reworked them into waist belts while Dolce & Gabbana use their impeccable hourglass silhouettes to create ladylike dresses.
Stars like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid work them into casual streetwear looks, layering them over blouses,T-shirts and even hoodies.
But they work for the evening too – British blogger Sarah Ashcroft wears luxe lace styles with skinny jeans and heels in her Instagram posts.
The corsets of yesterday, conventionally worn to define a woman’s waist and mould her curves, owed their success to meticulous pattern cutting and boning work. In other words, they were a luxury and expensive.
But not now – we’ve found a wide range for under £100 (and one luxe design too!). From bargains to bridal waist-shapers, here are the best corsets online now.
1. Best Budget Corset
Pretty Little Thing have finessed the traditional shape and style of a corset, and it's a bargain.
Featuring a lace-up back, structured boning and hook fastenings through the front, this white lace corset is a classic piece to glam up your underwear drawer. And it comes in white or black.
You could even wear it outside of the bedroom with some high-waisted mom jeans and leather boots – a sultry get-up for some cocktails.
- White Sweetheart Boned Lace Corset, £20 from Pretty Little Thing – buy here
2. Best Shaping Corsets
Gone are the days of suffocating corsets – this Marks & Spencer basques corset eschews uncomfortable boning for super stretch fabric and contouring panels instead.
It comes with adjustable, detachable straps, suspender attachments and padded cups so you don’t have to wear a bra underneath.
This is ideal to tighten up your wobbly bits if you’re wearing a tight dress, but the cute bow and embroidered detailing means you’ll feel super sexy in it too.
- Autograph Embroidered Basques, £38 from Marks and Spencer – buy here
Another comfy go-to is this red basque design from Figleaves.
Offering you a deep plunge bra, this lace red corset also has mesh sides and additional suspender straps.
It’ll wonderfully contour your figure – ideal to wear under bodycon dresses.
But everyone knows red is the colour of love so this may never leave the bedroom.
- Juliette Lace Baque A-GG Cup, £38 from Figleaves – buy here
3. Best Fancy Dress Corset
If you’re dressing up in costume or just love being extra – we’ve got a snazzy corset just for you.
From the satin lace-up ribbons and silver hook fastenings to the ornate jacquard fabric and ruffled trims, this is what a proper corset looks like.
It’s a bargain and there is literally a colour for every occasion.
Purchase black for saucy vampire vibes, red for Valentine’s Day, Green for period dress parties and white for weddings.
- PhilaeEC Women's Bridal Lace Up Satin Boned Corset + G String, £13.99-15.99 from Amazon – buy here
4. Best Street Style Corset
This corset-style body from In the Style is a must-have on the 2019 street style scene – take it from influencer Sarah Ashcroft.
Boasting an all-over lace design and underwired cups, this body has adjustable straps and a pretty backless cutout.
It even has a high leg design so you can wear it just like Kim K does, rising out the top of track-pants.
- Nadalia Black Lace High Leg Bodysuit, £21.99 from In the Style – buy here
5. Best Corset Belt
Thanks to mega-influencers like Kylie Jenner loving corset belts, they’ve become the must-have accessory to snazz up a basic tee or shirt.
Designed to define your waist, this Prince of Wales checked design is centred with the corset’s signature lace-up detailing, plus the zip at the back means it’s so much easier to put on and take off.
For under £20, it’s a steal that can make your dad’s oversized white shirt look like it’s off a high fashion runway. You’re welcome.
- Brown Prince of Wales Check Corset Belt, £15 from Pretty Little Thing – buy here
6. Best Bridal Corset
Every girl deserves to look their best on their wedding day and this white embroidered corselette from M&S will ensure you look and feel amazing.
It’s complete with sexy suspender attachments, it’s crafted from super-stretch fabric with firm control panels to sculpt your curves and isn’t wired, so you can breathe easy.
You’ll feel comfy and free as you dance away on your special day.
But we’re sure it’ll come in handy as a body shaping saviour on other days too!
- Firm Control Traditional Corselette, £35 from Marks and Spencer – buy here
7. Best Investment
We couldn’t leave you without an Agent Provocateur pearl. If you’ve got cash to splash this one’s for you.
The black Mercy corset will give you the ultimate 50s hourglass look, nipping straight in at the waist, supporting your midriff and curving your hips.
It’s intricately detailed with sheer lace panels, padded cups and a nude lining to create the illusion of skin underneath.
We know it’s expensive, but Agent Provocateur is a timeless investment. That’s the best thing about underwear, it never goes out of fashion.
- Mercy Corset Black, £345 from Agent Provocateur – buy here
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