A corselette is a form-fitting garment that covers the body from the bust to the thighs, often with garter belts to hold up stockings. It can be strapless or have straps, and is often worn under wedding dresses. The modern version is made of spandex and is less restrictive than the boned corselet, which can alter the shape of the back and ribs if worn regularly.
A corselette, also spelled corselet, is sometimes called an all-in-one, or girdle/bra. Some may mistakenly call her the merry widow as well. The corset must be a form-fitting garment that fits over the busts and covers the body with elastic generally tight or boned down to the thighs. The first corselette also features garter belts to keep the stockings up. These can be removed or you can buy a modern corselette without this feature.
Unlike the corselette, the merry widow tends to stop at the waist and can be worn with briefs. In the hazy world of defining women’s lingerie, you may see the corselette called the merry widow or vice versa. In general, the happy window is shorter and could be titled bustier. It does not cover the hips.
Some corselette styles are strapless designs, meant to be worn at events where you might wear a prom or evening gown. They are quite popular as worn under wedding dresses, especially for women who want a bit of the cut and fold feature they offer. Other styles of the corselette have straps, and this can be particularly important if you have a larger bust. Even with the tight restraint of the corselette, the garment can slide down if it doesn’t fit perfectly in the cups or if you have a larger bra size.
The modern corset is usually made of tight spandex, intended to stretch out the stomach and waist, and provide a smooth shape in the back. The boned corselet is less common than it was in the past, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s when the design was most popular. Boning in the corselette can be uncomfortable, offers very little donation, and can make breathing a little difficult at times.
The boned corselette can be tightened by lacing up the garment, usually from the back. This may mean that you need someone to help you pull the laces tight enough for the corselette to stay up. However, a corset that is too tight can cause great discomfort and is discouraged if worn regularly. It can permanently alter the shape of the back and ribs if worn all the time.
The spandex or lycra corselette has more stretch, although it can still be very tight, and for some women it feels too restrictive. Using one is generally reserved for rare events. The current emphasis in fashion is on a more natural feminine shape, which cannot be seen when wearing the corselette. However, some women prefer to wear them all the time, considering it a tasteful mark to do so.
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