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Historical/Period Corsets

Elizabethan, Civil War and Edwardian Corsets - We offer historically-accurate corsets from almost every era in history.
Click on any image for a larger view. We can upgrade any corset to more elaborate fabrics, just email us for a price quote!

Do I really need a corset under my clothing?
The purpose of wearing a corset is NOT to make yourself skinnier to fit in to a period style. Every period of costume is defined by its shape or silhouette. To produce the correct shape for your costume you must have the appropriate foundation or understructure. You can really add sophistication to your costumes by wearing the correct corset shape.

Basic Untabbed - our most affordable corset.



The Basic Untabbed Corset is made from sturdy cotton, lots of boning and laces at the back.

 

Basic Untabbed Corset, $90

Perfect utilitarian corset for Tudor-era gowns. Nothing fancy - simply does the job at an extremely affordable price.

Please note that this is a strapless corset (the grommets pictured do not come standard, but may be ordered as an upgrade). You may order straps at an additional cost.

You may also order a corset that has a removable wooden busk (see above) in the center front (we add a pocket for it, and you can leave it in, or take it out.) Some of our customers burn or paint lovely Celtic knot designs on their busks!

BASIC CORSET: $90

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WITH STRAPS: $110

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NO STRAPS WITH REMOVABLE WOODEN BUSK: $150

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WITH STRAPS AND REMOVABLE WOODEN BUSK: $170



The Elizabethan Effigy corset is a historicall-accurate Elizabethan-era corset made from our in-stock fabrics (usually damasks or twill). Since the corset is an undergarment and is not visible, at this price we work with our in-stock materials. If you have a certain color request, we will do our best to pick a color as close as possible to your request. If you prefer to have your corset made in your choice of fabric, you may be interested in our Elizabethan Effigy bodice, where the fabric is selected by you.

To order the corset in YOUR choice of fabrics, click here.

This corset is boned thoughout (front, back and sides) with 1/4" synthetic boning. This bodice is probably our most comfortable corset. It's also our most supportive garment too - with boning all around. This garment laces at the front and has adjustable shoulder straps for maximum lift and support.

The bodice comes with grommeted lacings, but we will be happy to hand-sew eyelets for you for an additional $40. If you would like this option, please email us and we will be happy to invoice you.

If you would like your bodice boned with reed, or with 1/4" steel, just drop us a line and we'll give you an estimate of cost.

 
effigy corset
effigy bodies
effigy bodice

Click on image for a larger view.

The Elizabethan Effigy Corset : $295
Made with our in-stock fabrics

This garment laces at the front and has adjustable shoulder straps for maximum lift and support.

 


Dorthea Bodies

This is another of our historically accurate corsets for the Elizabethan era. It is boned at the front and back with synthetic boning and has a tied-in wooden busk at the front. These bodies are designed after the original Dorthea Bodies and have tabs at the base, although the boning does not extend into the tabs on this design.

The Dorthea Bodies are made from our in-stock fabrics (usually damasks or twill). Since the corset is an undergarment and is not visible, at this price we work with our in-stock materials. If you have a certain color request, we will do our best to pick a color as close as possible to your request. If you prefer to have your corset made in your choice of fabric, you may be interested in our Dorthea bodice, where the fabric is selected by you, for just a few dollars more.

To order the corset in YOUR choice of fabrics, click here.

This garment laces at the back.

The bodice comes with grommeted lacings, but we will be happy to hand-sew eyelets for you for an additional $40.

If you would like your bodice boned with reed, or with 1/4" steel, just drop us a line and we'll give you an estimate of cost.

Dorthea Bodies $290

You do not have to choose colors/sizes when ordering. After you place your order, we will email you a detailed order form to fill out for measurements and color options.

1660 Corset
Base price $260

made from sturdy cotton herringbone coutil, which comes in either white or unbleached beige. For an extra $26, we can cover the coutil with a more decorative fabric.

The 1660 corset sits at the natural waist from the sides to the back. In front it dips down below the waist. The boning in this corset pushes the bust up to form a lovely décolletage. It allows for the bodice of your dress to be low with a very open neckline in front. The shape of the ribcage and waist are changed from the natural oval shape to a more uniformly round shape, giving the appearance of a smaller waist. The shoulder strap is sewn on at the back and attaches to the front with a ribbon.

The bones are made of steel and held in place with a special bone casing that helps keep the ends from poking out. The flat steel bones are coated with plastic to prevent wear to the fabric. Bones on curved seams are spiral for flexibility, according to the shape of the period. Unless you request otherwise, the brass or nickel grommets will be located in the back. The grommet strip is attached with a separate seam to allow for some adjustability in size. It is reinforced with a strip of Ultrasuede fabric to support the grommets. A corset fits properly if the grommet strips are between 1-3” from touching. For comfort, a placket of fabric is sewn in between the grommets and your skin. This corset comes with a white corset lacing that looks like a really long athletic shoe string. This corset is trimmed at top and bottom with piped cording. This acts as a drawstring to snug up the edges of your corset, as well as finish the edges nicely. The cording can be made of contrasting fabric--stripes are particularly lovely


Boning placement diagram, and corset style

1660 Corset style silhouette

1660 Corset
Base price $260

You do not have to choose colors/sizes when ordering. After you place your order, we will email you a detailed order form to fill out for measurements and color options.

Fabric upgrade: $26

You do not have to choose colors/sizes when ordering. After you place your order, we will email you a detailed order form to fill out for measurements and color options.


1776 Corset
Base price $260


1776 corset front

made from sturdy cotton herringbone coutil, which comes in either white or unbleached beige. For an extra $26, we can cover the coutil with a more decorative fabric.

The 1776 corset sits at the natural waist from the sides to the back. It is even longer in the front than the 1660 allowing for a long stomacher. The boning in this corset pushes the bust up to form a lovely, perky décolletage. The neckline is less wide than the 1660 providing and even rounder ribcage. The tabs add comfort for this longer corset by keeping the bones from digging into the waist. The shoulder strap is sewn on at the back and attaches to the front with a ribbon.

In this period members of the working class often had the opening of their corsets in the front because they had no servants to help them dress. In contrast, noble ladies were often sewn into their dresses. Sometimes the corsets in the 1700s were very elaborate and considered a visible part of the dress. We will be happy to make yours in either style.

The bones are made of steel and held in place with a special bone casing that helps keep the ends from poking out. The flat steel bones are coated with plastic to prevent wear to the fabric. Bones on curved seams are spiral for flexibility, according to the shape of the period. Unless you request otherwise, the brass or nickel grommets will be located in the back. The grommet strip is attached with a separate seam to allow for some adjustability in size. It is reinforced with a strip of Ultrasuede fabric to support the grommets. A corset fits properly if the grommet strips are between 1-3” from touching. For comfort, a placket of fabric is sewn in between the grommets and your skin. This corset comes with a white corset lacing that looks like a really long athletic shoe string. This corset is trimmed at top and bottom with piped cording. This acts as a drawstring to snug up the edges of your corset, as well as finish the edges nicely. The cording can be made of contrasting fabric--stripes are particularly lovely


1776 corset side/back


Inside of 1776 corset


1776 Corset style silhouette

1776 Corset
Base price $260

You do not have to choose colors/sizes when ordering. After you place your order, we will email you a detailed order form to fill out for measurements and color options.

Fabric upgrade: $26

You do not have to choose colors/sizes when ordering. After you place your order, we will email you a detailed order form to fill out for measurements and color options.


1815 Corset
Base price $260

made from sturdy cotton herringbone coutil, which comes in either white or unbleached beige. For an extra $26, we can cover the coutil with a more decorative fabric.

After the French Revolution clothing styles became much simpler and natural, leaving behind the heavy panniers, hip rolls and cinched-in waists of previous eras. This Regency period corset allows support for the bust and posture without being constricting in the waist and ribs. It is lightly boned with panels added for the natural roundness of the bust and hips. The boning and shape of panels produces a high round bosom which allows for the raised empire waistlines of the gowns of that period.

This corset is perfect for those wanting to create the look of a Jane Austen heroine.

The bones are made of steel and held in place with a special bone casing that helps keep the ends from poking out. The flat steel bones are coated with plastic to prevent wear to the fabric. Bones on curved seams are spiral for flexibility, according to the shape of the period. Unless you request otherwise, the brass or nickel grommets will be located in the back. The grommet strip is attached with a separate seam to allow for some adjustability in size. It is reinforced with a strip of Ultrasuede fabric to support the grommets. A corset fits properly if the grommet strips are between 1-3” from touching. For comfort, a placket of fabric is sewn in between the grommets and your skin. This corset comes with a white corset lacing that looks like a really long athletic shoe string. This corset is trimmed at top and bottom with piped cording. This acts as a drawstring to snug up the edges of your corset, as well as finish the edges nicely. The cording can be made of contrasting fabric--stripes are particularly lovely


1815 corset tech drawing


1815 corset style silhouette

1815 Corset
Base price $260

Fabric upgrade: $26

 

Civil War Corset

Our Civil War corset is made of shaped panels with no gussets and is more comfortable than most. There are 16 pieces of 1/4" wide white steel boning used in this corset in addition to the 1/2" wide steel busk. It supports very well and is suitable for tight lacing. The corset body is made of white, 100% cotton brushed twill (coutil). We use two-piece grommets for the lacings and for ease in lacing. We can upgrade the corset to decorative fabrics. Upgrade cost will depend on fabrics used.

Measurements needed (taken with modern bra): bust around nipple line, waist, length from bust measurement down to waist at center front, back and one side.

Fabric upgrades available by estimate.

 


Civil War Corset
$260 in white coutil

 

You do not have to choose colors/sizes when ordering. After you place your order, we will email you a detailed order form to fill out for measurements and color options.



1900 Corset
Base price $279.50

made from sturdy cotton herringbone coutil, which comes in either white or unbleached beige. For an extra $26, we can cover the coutil with a more decorative fabric.

This Edwardian corset is suitable for the late 1800s into the early 1900s. The elaborate seaming and spiral bones provide the lovely S-curve of the period with a small waist and fuller hip. The bust line is round in the center, often called pigeon-breasted. In addition to the grommet opening in the back, an optional hook and eye busk can be added to the center front for $19.50.

The bones are made of steel and held in place with a special bone casing that helps keep the ends from poking out. The flat steel bones are coated with plastic to prevent wear to the fabric. Bones on curved seams are spiral for flexibility, according to the shape of the period. Unless you request otherwise, the brass or nickel grommets will be located in the back. The grommet strip is attached with a separate seam to allow for some adjustability in size. It is reinforced with a strip of Ultrasuede fabric to support the grommets. A corset fits properly if the grommet strips are between 1-3” from touching. For comfort, a placket of fabric is sewn in between the grommets and your skin. This corset comes with a white corset lacing that looks like a really long athletic shoe string. This corset is trimmed at top and bottom with piped cording. This acts as a drawstring to snug up the edges of your corset, as well as finish the edges nicely. The cording can be made of contrasting fabric--stripes are particularly lovely



1900 corset hip panels


1900 corset style silhouette

1900 Corset
Base price $279.50

You do not have to choose colors/sizes when ordering. After you place your order, we will email you a detailed order form to fill out for measurements and color options.

Fabric upgrade: $26

You do not have to choose colors/sizes when ordering. After you place your order, we will email you a detailed order form to fill out for measurements and color options.

Hook and eye busk at center front upgrade: $19.50

You do not have to choose colors/sizes when ordering. After you place your order, we will email you a detailed order form to fill out for measurements and color options.