A corset is an undergarment that is specially designed to support the bust and define the waistline. Corsets can be made of various materials such as leather or any kind of flexible material and then they are enforced with hard strips which are referred to as “boning”. The boning is in place to keep the material taut. Further, boning actually makes the corset more comfortable so remember that when you are thinking about buying a non boned corset and think that it will be more comfortable. Corsets are relatively small in size and generally only cover the area between the breasts and the hips. Back in earlier day’s women wore them for support but today they are mainly used for fashion and sex appeal.

Another similar style is a bustier. The main difference is that a bustier has cups like a bra and a corset does not. Most corsets can be worn as intimate apparel and as outerwear. A bustier is generally worn as only intimate apparel. Most bustiers also do not have shoulders straps attached to them, as well. When purchasing a bustier, you will go according to bra cup size not S, M, or L like you would for a corset. This is a bra style top that generally goes to the hips or in some cases is cropped. Some manufacturers are now adding straps, but for the most part not. Some styles come with boning for that stiffness and extra support. Many also have detachable garters for those lovely sexy stockings. The whole idea of a bustier is to provide a sleek sexy shape to the waist with supported breast cups on top.