The secret to a perfect waist...corsets




Ilustration by Georgina Heffernan



When it comes to style – having a tiny waist has suddenly become the new national obsession. Cheryl Cole has a 25-inch waist. She used to have a 29-inch waist, apparently, but was so horrified by its size that she went on a strict diet. Victoria Beckham, at 23 inches, is so tiny that she can fit into the jeans of a seven year-old child. But Dita Von Teese trumps them all: sporting a 21-inch waist normally, with the help of a corset it shrinks to 16 inches - even smaller than the Edwardian ideal of 18 inches.

For centuries, women all over the world have wished for an hourglass figure or a petite waist. The English did it with camisoles, the French had corsets and they all had their own ideas on how to get the smallest of waists. Fashion and entertainment have been best buddies for ages. Therefore, during the era of the voluptuous Marilyn Monroe, women would do anything for that perfect waist and now the hourglass is back - thanks largely to the success of the cult TV show Mad Men, which has spawned a fifties style revival.

Corsets may prod your ribcage, leave you gasping for breath and make you look like an extra from a period drama but women have been wearing them for centuries and for one good reason they work.All of the major lingerie brands such as Agent Provocateur, Myla, Chantelle, and Victoria‘s Secretstock gorgeous corsetry - at an affordable price and these look so gorgeous you just might be tempted to wear them as a fashion statement.
So, whether you're updating your look or seeking new pieces for your winter wardrobe, a cinched-in waist is your ticket to super-style .Throw out those baggy summer smocks, dresses for this season are either body-skimming or belted to show off curves to the max. If you have a slightly fuller figure, hunt for clothes that sit a little higher on your torso, just above your actual waist. This slimmer area creates the illusion of a defined waistline. To finish your look, the accessory to reach for is a belt. The best way to wear them is on the natural waistline, accentuating an hourglass figure or suggesting one if you're not so curvy.

Most recently celebrities such as Katy Perry, Beyonce and Lady Gaga have inspired millions of women to splash out on designer corsets, so much so that stores are selling out left right and centre. Although known to be restrictive, painful and often the cause of certain maladies such as miscarriages and fainting fits, the corset has also been known to remedy back injuries. After a serious car accident, Andy Warhol had to resort to wearing one permanently to support the structure of his spinal area.



Luckily for us, Velda Lauder‘s custom made corsets take the pain of beautifying oneself away, as they are designed to be snug and comfy and yet still achieves that sleek silhouette of the voluptuous look as intended. They have been worn by various celebrities,such as burlesque model Dita Von Teese, Heidi Klum, Rebecca Loos, Charlotte Church and several other hourglass‘ devotees.
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Corset by Velda Lauder

"Corsets should always empower and enhance a woman," says Velda, "My corsets comfortably reduce the waist by 4 inches - giving a woman choice to look curvaceous on her own terms. My statement is ―the gift of the corset is its ability to free the inner strength and beauty of a woman in an instant".Six months in the gym or 5 minutes in a Velda Lauder corset, the results are similar. I see the corset as the great liberator in the size debate, the corset is the perfect antidote to the size zero issue. The corset gives woman the red carpet couture experience without oppressing her natural curves. The bigger the woman the better she looks in a corset,"Velda reveals.


Her beautiful vintage inspired pieces can be ordered on line through her website Veldalauder. co.uk. And they are perfect for special occasions such as weddings or balls and start from £200/ €233.50 but that‘s a small price to pay for the waist of your dreams.

"Lingerie shouldn't be something you just put on for your lover; you should do it for you, it's not about seducing men, it's about embracing womanhood."

 

- Dita Von Teese

 

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