The Regency era had a massive range of bust support options (and a few decorative ones) that were considered Corsets! It may be a short period in fashion history, and the gowns can look quite similar from 17951820, but there is a surprising variety in the type of support garment needed to properly fill out the look. So how do you decide what style to make or buy? There's so many different variables for each person, but we're going to take a look at 4 rather iconic options in my closet (and a couple of pieces that no longer fit me) to compare how they shape and hold the body. And, most importantly, how they interact with the gowns that are meant to fit over them.

Overall, I found that the bust sits in a different position for the fashions of various years. The 1790s and early 1800s are lower set than the 1810s, for example. The combination of gown and corset is based on proportions so everything looks balanced. If you're looking for a garment that can more easily transverse the entire era, choosing a less extreme silhouette through a bodiced petticoat or a soft wrap corset might be easier.

My biggest surprise was how popular the soft corset styles seemed to be, at least based on what the advertisements and fashion magazines seemed to be claiming! However, the ease of daily dressing in that style makes perfect sense. It takes almost no time and very little flexibility compared to what we typically think of as laced corsets. For anyone today needing a good support garment that is easy to make, easy to fit, adjustable, or flexible, this basic concept is perfect! Any style of corset front can be adjusted in back to wrap around, and something as simple as a second tie at the underbust level can help with supporting the bust further. Otherwise, it operates much like a sports bra!

As for me, I'm stuck deciding which styles I want to make my next few gowns over and trying to convince myself not to remake my bust bodice to fit me as well. But I only have a few weeks to decide, so it better happen fast! So let's dig into this corset haul and perfect our Jane Austen vibes (or Brigerton if that's more your style!).

Further Reading
Sochi Anniversary: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/histor...
Circassian War: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RussoC...
Walter Richmonds History: https://amzn.to/2T1tS4o
Circassian Beauties: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circass...
The Ghost of Freedom: https://amzn.to/3cm0Rap
The Circassian Revival: https://curis.ku.dk/ws/files/12595433...
Jembulat Bolotoko Biography: https://jamestown.org/program/jembula...

Garments
Petticoat: http://www.nationaltrustcollections.o...
V&A Bust Bodice: http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O31...
Elastic Corset: https://www.pop.culture.gouv.fr/notic...
Brown Corset: http://fashionmuseum.fitnyc.edu/view/...
V&A Corset: http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O13...
Blue Corset: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
1790s Corset: http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O13...
Tan Corset: https://augustaauction.com/component...
Soft Corset: https://www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr/e...

Corsetra Designs Blog post: http://corsetradesigns.blogspot.com/2...

00:00 Introduction
02:39 Corset Defined
03:56 My Corsets
08:17 Soft Corsets
11:13 Circassian Origins
17:04 Comparing Corsets
19:22 1790s Corset
22:20 Bodiced Petticoat
23:59 Soft Corset
28:12 Long Corset
32:29 Side by Side

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