Corsets and Bustiers and Lingerie, oh my!

Couture Carrie’s favorite fashion medium has gone from binding necessity to stylish accessory. To begin with, CC provides a visual historical reference: this P.D. Original black satin corset made in Belgium, c. 1890. Go to antiquedress.com. For more scholarly writing on this topic, read the wonderfully encyclopedic recent post by Fellow Fashionista Danz: http://fatalfashionattraction.blogspot.com/2008/06/define-and-enhance.html and refer to the Victoria and Albert Museum website http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/features/corset.

On the runways, the corset (traditionally laced and strapless) has transformed into the bustier, an equally sexy and female form-flattering garment.

Derek Lam's gray wool top is brilliantly in step with this fall's feminine glamour!

Note how this snap-front Etro navy bustier is worn over a long sleeve shirt! Photo via French Vogue.

Sometimes, delicate lacing is a point of departure for other garments, as with these Jean-Paul Gaultier "corset pants"; photo via nymag.com.

Zac Posen red bow bustier; detail photo via Style.com

Verrier white lace bustier, Spring 2007, via nymag.com

Wunderkind pink satin bustier, Spring 2008, via style.com

Roberto Cavalli Fall 2008 floral detail bustier, via nymag.com

HOW TO WEAR:

There is a transformative power in this garment; wearing a corset top can't help but make you sit up straighter, strut a bit more, and feel overwhelmingly confident and sexy! So if you haven't worn a bustier lately, give it a chance to work its magic! The corset can be worn in the traditional manner, as an undergarment. Try a Deborah Lindquist bustier, like this pale green one, at Faire Frou Frou.
More often, however, the bustier is a layering piece, meant to be admired, rather than hidden away under one's petticoats! It can be worn as a tank top or a vest, either over or under other pieces.

CC is absolutely enamored of this Gaetano Navarra cashmere felt corset for Fall 2008. Photo at left courtesy elle.com.

Another fanciful wool corset recently appeared in W Magazine: How incredible is this black cashmere Koi Suwannagate bustier?? Available at Fred Segal Los Angeles. (Note that a red cotton Rosamosario corset is worn as a skirt in this photo!)

Get the look for less at victoriassecret.com. This black corset top, with boning for shaping, is just $16.99! CC loves how it's layered over a tee!
Modern corsets may even have sleeves, as evinced by Ronald Abdala's top, pictured below. Visit ronaldbdala.com.
Of course, the bustier dress is always a hot item. The original and best? Dolce and Gabbana, of course! Get this D&G stretch sateen frock in Peacock at Bergdorf Goodman.
Another stunner for fall, available at Neiman Marcus, is Roberto Cavalli's magenta and black satin corset dress.
This adorable madras plaid bustier dress is on sale for a mere $34.99 at Victoria's Secret!

Whether as underwear or outerwear, the corseted top is alluring and flattering . . . Here is CC's short list of the best online lingerie purveyors:

http://www.fairefroufrou.com/
http://www.figleaves.com/us/home.asp
http://www.fredericks.com/
http://www.glamorousamorous.com/
http://www.kikidm.com/shop/home

http://www.shoplingerielounge.com/

http://www.myla.com/us/
http://www.stockingirl.com/
Or, scan ebay from time to time . . . CC recently snapped up this pink Catherine Malandrino top and La Petite Salope bustier dress for about 75% percent off retail price!

SO:
Where do you buy your bustiers? Who are your favorite designers for this type of item? How much would you be willing to pay for the perfect piece? Will you be wearing corseted tops this fall?
xoxox CC