Regency Corset Shapes || Comparing 4 Styles on the Same Body

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 1795-1820, 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 tha