Blog

Real vs. Fake Corsets: Buying a High-Quality Corset

Posted on by Rachel Barb
Real vs. Fake Corsets
14
Jan

There are times when buying a fake can deliver the results you want without the cost of purchasing the real deal. Diamonds are a great example. Cubic zirconia may come from a lab, but to the untrained eye, it can definitely pass for a diamond at a fraction of the cost.

If you need a pair of stellar studs to go with every outfit and you don’t have the skrilla for bona fide diamonds, fakes will definitely fit the bill without breaking the bank. Hey, we can’t all be Liz Taylor, but we can fake it ’til we make it! Of course, there are times when a fake simply can’t deliver the same form and function as the original artifact, so to speak. This is the case with corsets.

You can’t skimp on a fashion corset and expect it to deliver the same support and waist training benefits as high-quality corsetry. You’re definitely going to pay more for the genuine article, but it will be money well spent, and the truth is that it will save you heartache and hundos in the long run. Here’s what you need to know about the differences that separate real from fake in the wide world of corsets.

Boning

Pay attention. The number one indicator that your corset is fake is if it doesn’t advertise steel boning. Costume corsetry, intended for the purpose of fashion alone, does not need to provide you with a support structure, so if it features any boning at all, it is likely the cheap, plastic variety.

If you try to tightlace with plastic boning, you’re likely to suffer a very unfortunate accident that ends in boning bending, breaking, popping through the fabric, and probably assaulting you in the process. Steel boning is a staple of real corsets and an absolute must for anyone who wants this garment for practical, waist training purposes.

Materials and Construction

Generally speaking, the materials and construction used for fashion corsets are going to be cheaper than waist training models. While a real corset relies on sturdy materials like leather or brocade, a fashion corset might feature flimsy pleather or low-quality satin. Real corsets will also feature multiple layers, including a lining, often in cotton coutil for added durability and comfort.

Sizing

Does your corset come in the following sizes: small, medium, and large? This is a good indicator that it’s costume corsetry. Real corsets are undergarments, like bras, and they come in a vast range of sizes so that every customer can get the one that’s most closely fitted to their form. Seek out options that feature waist sizing in inches, as well as cup sizes for overbust options.

Cost

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but quality equals cost. If you want a real corset, one that’s going to provide the coverage, support, and waist training benefits you seek, you’re going to have to pay for it. Skimping on fashion corsets might save you money today, but when your garment goes belly up – literally, in some cases – and you end up having to buy another tomorrow, you’ll wish you’d splurged on the real deal from the get-go.

Stay up-to-date with weekly blog posts, waist training tips, and the chance to win one of our monthly corset giveaways, like us on Facebook & subscribe to our mailing list today!