No other top creates a romantic and sexy silhouette the way a curve-accentuating corset top does. The corset top has a way of adding old-world allure to your look too. Modern-day corset tops are stylish and wearable – nothing like the tightly-laced undergarments worn by women in Europe from the 16th to 20th century. Designed to narrow the waist and create a specific silhouette (like the hourglass shape favored at the time), the highly boned corset worn back then was constrictive and even faint-inducing to the wearer.
The corset style lessened in popularity in the late 19th century as women’s fashion favored looser and easy-to-wear clothing that emphasized the natural figure. Today, there are countless corset-inspired tops available but with much less of the discomforting structural support, so they are easy to put on and won’t constrain the breathing and movement of the wearer.
Faux leather corset, lace corset and mesh corset styles are popular go-tos for night-out ensembles. Denim corset, floral corset and strapless corset styles are also favored solo or layering pieces for occasions ranging from weekend to workwear settings.
Modern corset tops don't change the body shape significantly or affect the health of the wearer. Yet they can create an unapologetically sultry impression by showing some skin while emphasizing the hips and bust. Modern corset tops can also be worn in many ways. Read on for tips on choosing and dressing with a corset top!
Many modern tops (such as the square neck long sleeve top, crop top, strappy camisole and mesh top) have been reworked with corset details. As a result, there are so many different corset top styles out there. There are also designs that are distinctively associated with corset tops (like the lace corset and hook and eye styles). Anyone can find a design that suits their sartorial preferences and needs! Below are some of the most common corset top styles!
Satin Corset Top
Corset tops made of satin can instantly jazz up understated ensembles, thanks to the high-shine fabric that radiates luxe and glamorous vibes. It’s no wonder that these attention-getting beauties are popular night-out essentials. To be the center of attention, pick a brightly colored design, like a top in pink or green in a more revealing strapless or off-shoulder cut. If you prefer to channel classic-style romanticism, select a feminine square neck style with a structured bodice for an aesthetic that not only gives off old-world vibes but highlights your curves.
Lace Corset Top
This sexy lingerie-inspired top can be dressed up or down – and the intricate detailing of the lace can radiate everything from Victorian era romanticism and innocence to boudoir-style sexiness, depending how you style the piece. To jazz up an outfit with vintage and romantic appeal, choose a lace corset top with lace-ups on the front, back or sides. Also popular is the lace corset top embellished with lace trim across the neckline or bottom hem for extra visual interest.
Corset Crop Top
For years, designers have updated the corset top into more comfortable and wearable designs, and that includes the corset crop top. Wardrobe basics like tank tops, bustier tops and crop tees have been integrated with classic corset details, like a boned structure, to form various versions of corset tops. Instead of extending beyond the hips, this shorter length corset top reveals a bit more skin, particularly at the hips in designs with a V-hemline. Fashioned in various materials, prints and colors, there are many kinds of the crop corset to suit any season and setting.
Leather Corset Top
To spicy up a low-key outfit, reach for a leather corset top. Another popular piece in contemporary corset style, few materials signal edge the way leather does, and this style of top does just that while further accentuating your curves. For eco-minded consumers, there are many faux leather corset tops out there too.
Bandeau Corset Top
This strapless corset top tends to be designed with more structural support, like a more boned corset, in the absence of strap support. The slim fit design is a popular going-out option as it shows off some skin in all the right places. There are bandeau corset tops in various colors, fabrics and silhouettes.
Sleeve Corset Top
You can find a corset top to wear for any weather, such as long-sleeve versions for fall outfits. The sleeves integrated into the corset top provide additional structural support. A long-sleeve design also suits more formal settings, like the office. Different sleeve styles create various kinds of aesthetics. Make a statement in a corset top with puff sleeves that are high-volume at the top while slim fit at the bottom. Alternatively, if you prefer a corset top offering a bit more coverage than a strapless design, consider a cap-sleeve version.
Floral Corset Top
In a top with an already figure-flattering shape, the floral print amps up the piece’s feminine and romantic appeal. This pattern, widely associated with outdoor-friendly aesthetics like cottagecore, can also make the top more daytime appropriate. The classic floral corset top matches with many wardrobe staples too – dress it down by wearing it with jeans and strappy sandals, or elevate the look by teaming with dress pants and ankle boots.
Strap Corset Top
Also known as a strappy corset, this corset style comes with thin spaghetti straps for support while showing off some skin. Other strap corset styles include tops designed with tie straps or chain straps to create different aesthetics. Some straps may be adjustable for a perfect fit. Beloved styles that tend to have straps include lingerie-inspired lace corset tops. These sultry strappy tops are popular amidst the hot trend of wearing bras as tops for daywear.
Other Popular Corset Top Styles
Other corset top types include the laid-back yet fashion-forward denim corset top and the sultry night-out-friendly mesh corset top. There are also corset top styles featuring other distinctive corset characteristics like hook and eye fastenings and more. There are many styles available so you can find a design that matches your taste.
These two classic corset top styles are widely available in the market today for good reason: they both share signature corset characteristic that are beloved by many. However, there are slight differences between hook and eye and lace-up designs in terms of function, structural support, silhouette and overall aesthetic.
The hook and eye corset got its name from the way it’s fastened: the metal loop is hooked onto the eye or “eyelet.” Hook and eye closures are commonly used in bras but they are also incorporated into other clothes like pants and mini dresses. Hook and eye closures have a long history of use (since the 14th century England) in corsetry in order to let the wearer independently fasten or unfasten the piece. The closure also provides structural support and a figure-flattering silhouette. You can leave a few of the top fastenings unhooked for extra sex appeal.
The lace-up corset top has a long history in corsetry, particularly for creating a more dramatic silhouette. Unlike hook and eye closures, the lace-ups are more adjustable, so you can tighten or loosen according to your body shape or desired silhouette. The intricately woven lacing adds further visual interest to the corset top. The lace-ups can be designed at the front, back or sides of the piece. The highly adjustable nature of the lace up corset top makes it a popular layering piece to wear over other types of clothing (like a collared shirt) regardless of the fabrication’s thickness or texture.
The ways to style a corset top are endless. Here are some suggestions:
1. Instantly refresh your wardrobe by layering over a corset top with your usual basics. You can wear corset tops with various style staples such as mini dresses, button-ups and long-sleeve dresses. For a fashion-forward look, wear a hook and eye corset top over a collared shirt, and go extra by making sure the two pieces are in different colors for attention-getting contrast. For a more relaxed and low-key look, team a crop corset top with your fave bottoms, like cargo pants.
2. A statement corset top is a great standalone piece, like a strappy faux leather or denim corset top with boning details for structural support and a figure-flattering silhouette. Wear with dress pants or jeans whether you’re going for an evening or daytime look.
3. For a romantic date night, choose a corset top with feminine details like a lace corset or floral corset top. Wear with simple yet polished pieces like a blazer and matching skirt or dress pants, as the juxtaposition of high-drama top with sharp tailoring creates an attention-getting combination.
4. Layer a corset top over your turtleneck for a fresh twist to your winter and fall outfits. Another way to stay warm when wearing corset tops during the cooler months is to sport the top underneath one of your fave statement outwear (like bomber jackets or longline jackets) in a color-coordinating color.
5. A monochrome look is always a fail-safe strategy: match a slim fit corset top with pants or a maxi skirt in the same color, for example. Actress Dakota Johnson slayed the monochrome style in 2021 when she rocked a black sheer strapless corset top with black leather pants to the New York Film Festival.
So what are you waiting for? Make the corset top one of your wardrobe essentials! YesStyle has got you covered offering all kinds of corset style tops to choose from.
