Corset Style Watch: Chic & Sheer Corsets
Sheer corsetry, a study in contrasts with barely-there fabrications and sinuous steel structure. Dark Garden's "Risqué" ready-to-wear corset, balancing sheer mesh and silk satin.
Corset trends are gentle and slow-moving, taking years instead of weeks to build momentum. Today's post looks at several chic and sheer corsets, with a focus on the handmade. Sheer corsets wonderfully exemplify the unique outer/under aesthetic of modern corsetry. In their lightness, they are often more comfortable (and thin) for wearing all-day as a foundation garment. Lace overlays look striking as the lace may appear to simultaneously float and sculpt, with the strength layer near-invisible. The sheerness layers well over clothing, particularly complementary prints, emphasizing dramatic corseted silhouettes yet without the heavy, rigidly corseted look.
In the interest of fairness, I have listed these cinched sweeties in alphabetical order by maker.
Crikey Aphrodite's lacy sheer corsets would be unquestionably perfect for brides but also style well with feminine daywear looks.
Photo © Clare Coulter Photography
Crikey Aphrodite, Glasgow
Bespoke Corsets
Sheer corsets are the perfect addition to Crikey Aphrodite's beautiful, feminine line-up of custom corsets, which are popular with local brides. The sheer styles sometimes have additional textural detailing, such as latticed ribbons on the hips.
Dark Garden's custom Adelaide corset, a lacy, sheer, cupped style.
Photo © Joel Aron
Dark Garden, San Francisco
Unique Corsetry & Bridal Couture
Dark Garden's first sheer style was the Adelaide: a fully-custom cupped corset, made to look as if it were structured entirely by its lace overlay. Following its success, Dark Garden started offering its classic ready-to-wear styles in black and pale peach mesh with silk-duchess satin contrast under the name "Risqué." The Risqué is also available with lace overlay, and includes a back panel and three pairs of garters.
Pop Antique's "Flirt" combines a sheer body with quirky contrasting details.
Photo © Andres Razo
Pop Antique, San Francisco
Flirt Corset
Full disclosure: Pop Antique is my line. The "Flirt" is a sheer corset which also features a cupped bust, detachable mini panniers at the hips, optional contrast silk fabrication and waist tape, and lacing detail. I love wearing my Flirt over a teal and purple rose print silk jersey sheath dress to really highlight the pop color and sheer texture.
Sparklewren's beautiful sheer cincher is one of her few ready to wear styles. Limited edition.
Photo © Catherine Day Photography
Sparklewren, Birmingham
Limited Edition Sheer Cincher
Sparklewren has other sheer designs, but I particularly adore these tiny ready-to-wear cinchers. They have such a perfectly balanced design, from the barely-there sweetheart silhouette to the artfully placed lace. She currently has them listed on Etsy, where they are also available in white.
Velda Lauder's Black Mesh Underbust, ahead of the curve (pun intended!) on the sheer corsetry trend.
Velda Lauder, London
Underbust Black Mesh Corset
Given this weekend's tragic news about Velda Lauder's passing, I don't know how much longer this corset will be available for purchase, but this incarnation of the sheer style is particularly noteworthy as an early adopter. When I first saw this corset, it was from an old Lingerie Addict post, Corsetieres & Corset Makers: Off the Rack vs. Custom Made, from 2008!
What Katie Did's "Cabaret" corset is a sheer version of their classic Morticia underbust.
What Katie Did, London
Cabaret Sheer Morticia Corset
The same pattern as their popular Morticia corset, Cabaret is made of double-layered sheer organza with satin casings, and available in peach or black.
Which is your favorite of the above styles, and why? What corset trends have you noticed gaining momentum lately? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
