2.6a Frederick's of Hollywood and other "decorative" corsets

"Decorative" corsets (as the term is used in this faq) refers to garments made in the shape of corsets, but with flimsier materials than the traditional steel-boned corset. These garments are typically made with polyester/plastic boning, lightweight fabrics, and little or no lining and reinforcement. They will (depending on the style) provide some slight shaping of the waist and a boost to cleavage, but they can't be laced as tightly as steel-boned corsets and won't provide any substantial waist reduction or figure shaping. They will also not be as sturdy and long-lasting as a well-made steel-boned corset.

This doesn't mean they aren't fun or you shouldn't buy them. Decorative corsets are typically notably less expensive than steel-boned corsets, and can be a great addition to a club outfit or a costume for those on a budget. They can also serve as an "entry" to steel-boned corsets. You should simply be aware that any "corset" made with plastic boning is not going to give you the same results or comfortable fit as a steel-boned corset.

Frederick's of Hollywood was the first large mainstream company to offer decorative corsets, which is why they are the focus of the reviews in this section. The basic information given here will apply to any mass-market plastic-boned corset, however. Frederick's of Hollywood
Retail Stores: in shopping malls across the US
Mail-Order: P.O. Box 229, Hollywood, CA 90099-0164, US
(800) 323-9525
Catalog $2

Trystan comments: I have a couple of Freddie's corset-like garments -- they're pretty nifty toys, and I wear them a lot. But they're are not real corsets. They will provide *no* waist-reduction and *no* body-shaping, except for a slight cleavage boost. All Freddie's corsets use thin plastic boning and not much of it. However, they *are* attractive and can look great worn as outerwear.

My favourite is the Wench Corset (black power-satin, has straps, laces up the back). The combination of power-satin, lacing, and straps really gives me some nice "umph" in the cleavage department -- YMMV.

I also like the Wicked Nipper Corset (black vinyl, no straps, can be laced up front or back). It looks *really* cool (all slick and shiny!), but it's has absolutely no support for the bust. Basically, it's a wide belt (calling it a "waist-cincher" would be too generous -- even with the lacing pulled tight, this thing wouldn't cinch an inch).

All of these so-called corsets are around $40-$60 each, sometimes less on sale.

Lucasta comments: I have the entire collection, the Wicked Nipper vinyl corset, Wench Corset, Ultimate Corset, and assorted cinchers! I especially love Frederick's due to the fact that most of their stuff comes in "Lusty" sizes :P Warning on the cinchers: they tend to run kind of LARGE!

Penny Dreadful comments: I have the Frederick's Ultimate Corset, and I think we all know by now that these are not really corsets. They're fine for fashion and a bit of nip and tuck, but they're *not* corsets.

The boning is nothing more than very narrow strips of plastic, and on many of them, the fabric is lycra (which is what actually does the molding of the figure). These are not in the same league as the corsets you might buy from places like {fill in the name of a corset-maker here, as I don't know any}. They're more like "corselettes" or something. Real corsets have steel boning. It makes a *big* difference.

Don't get me wrong -- they're cute as fashion accessories, and if you are trying to get a smooth line under a dress, they can't be beat (except that the laces in back can show through clingy fabric).

Yosa comments: Ok, their satin jacquard corset does not have heavy boning. It is the same soft plastic stuff as all of the other things in the catalog. It is a pretty nice fashion thing, though. It is definitely a good thing to try if you are not looking for tight lacing or something to last forever -- but rather something you can afford, and have within a week -- a definite plus.

Lux comments: They're really not as _bad_ as all of that. I own one, and I didn't have spectacular waist reduction in mind when I saw it in the catalog, thus I wasn't disappointed when I received it, but instead rather pleased.

It looks nice, it pinches me in a tad, the stretch panels allow freedom of movement (I *have* to dance), and it goes with a lot of things in my wardrobe. If you're expecting a traditional victorian corset which will reduce your waistline by three or more inches, this isn't it. Anyone could see that just by looking at the picture of the model in the catalogue. For the money, I think it's great. It hasn't fallen apart, or even started to, it's stayed with me through vigorous dancing, and I've gotten loads of compliments on it. And hey, I feel _damn_ sexy in it. :)

I bought the new velvet corset advertised in their latest catalog, and, being a person who has every Freddy's 'corset' except for the vinyl wicked nipper, (it's a sickness...) I've got to say that this is the best one. No word yet on how it's going to hold up (for longevity, the Ultimate Corset sucks _ass_ might I add), but there are actually _no_ stretch panels, & this is the thickest corset they carry. It has little floppy lace bits at the cleavage, & you can tuck them in or leave them out as you desire. Of course, it still has the cheapo plastic boning that has become a hallmark of the Frederick's corset, but since I'm not a purist & I would rather have several cheap (but pretty) 'corsets' to accent my wardrobe than just one, say, Dark Garden corset, it works for me. I may consider replacing the plastic in the bone channels with steel boning, but we'll just see about that.

Let me just restate my point that if you're looking for a breathtaking (literally) hourglass figure, get a corset custom made, & don't even _look_ in the direction of Frederick's, because you'll be sorely disappointed. They're purely ornamental, as has been discussed on this NG before. But, for the girl without a lot of cash who likes a few pretty pieces that will nip you in a _bit_ but don't cost a lot of money, Freddy's is a damn fine idea. ;)

Onlyamouse comments: The vinyl corset -- i thought it was fun and i never regret buying it for a second, and i'm the type of person to hate something after i've bought it. However, if you want something that's really going to hold you in, forget it. My only complaint about it is that i still have to hold in my tummy or else it rounds out, which doesn't look very flattering in an outfit that otherwise is very tight and trying to be all curvy and whatnot.

just julia comments: OK, here is the deal. The plastic boning will bow out doing wonky things to your tummy region, and eventually it will bend to the shape of your tits thus making the support thing less supportive. I have the wench corset which has stretchy straps thus defeating the hoist and squish purpose. However, it does a decent job, and you are fairly mobile once laced in. Don't expect it to last for much more than a year.

Serpentine comments: I have 2 Frederick's corsets, the jacquard one and the vinyl one, *both* of which are now unwearable after just about 1 year. The cloth of the vinyl corset is so flimsy, it has stretched out of shape and just doesn't lace up tight anymore. The jacquard one lasted slightly longer. It *was* made with steel boning, as I discovered when one of the bones popped out at a party. And even though that corset was steel-boned, it was so poorly constructed it warped anyway. So to make a long lecture short, if I had saved the money I spent on those "corsets," I could have gotten a real corset that would still be with me today. Just a word of warning...

raven comments: i have an FoH vinyl corset that i've had for almost a year now, and its held up remarkable well.

Tracey comments: I just got my package from Frederick's that I purchased with my 20% off coupon!!! I ordered the Wicked Nipper (the shiny corset) and was very disappointed:( Now I know that everyone has warned me that it isn't a real corset, but I have the satin jacquard and really like it. This shiny corset is stretchy (unlike the first one that I have). I think if perhaps I was more voluptuous I might be able to get away with wearing it as a fashion accessory, but with my 34B body, it looks like a silly shiny tube top. Not very attractive. I'm sending this gothic tube top back from where it came from:P

Anathema comments: The Frederick's corsets are cute to look at, but they aren't all that quality wise... Having just purchased the Scarlet Embroidered Corset from them I will have to say the workmanship is somewhat shoddy on it... But I will not say that's it's not one cute little number... I really like the way it looks... and oh... I got the large size in that... & I am a very modest 34 B & I have to say it is a bit large on me at the top... the rest of it fits perfectly... (well over a dress, this is why I got a large) & it doesn't make my hips look gigantic... but this one does lace up the front so it an be undone for larger ppl...

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