While this corset is not meant to reduce your waist, it does enhance the feminine shape and provides a nice contour. Mimicking a traditional corset's style with boning and back lacing while beautiful in its aesthetic appeal, it is appropriately dubbed a fashion corset. This well-crafted piece will not only stand the test of time but its elegance is sure to astonish.

Packaging:

The pieces are hung on a black plastic hanger and are visible through a clear plastic bag. This works great for tucking the set away in the closet for storing. There are 2 tags attached to the corset. One has the stock photo of the model wearing the corset with size, color and style information on the back, while the other tag indicates material composition and care directions.

Material/Quality:

The corset is made of 56% polyester, 42% cotton and 2% elastane. The inner, black side has a smooth, satin texture, while the red side is rougher and covered in a brocade design. There's a slight stiffness to the fabric of both the corset and thong.

The thong is composed of 95% polyester and 5% elastane. It has the same texture as the black side of the corset.

The craftsmanship seems up to snuff. I did not notice any loose threads or seams.

Design:

This corset is designed to be reversible with one solid black satin side (the inside) and the other a beautiful red brocade. It is also available in pink.




There are 19 hook and eye closures down the front of the corset and 2 black satin ribbons threaded through the 12 grommets down the back. The first ribbon aids in adjusting the top 5 grommets and the bottom ribbon takes care of the other 7. The ribbons can be tied together in the centre of the back at the waist. There is no modesty panel so skin will be exposed if the laces are looser.

A total of 10 plastic bones are strategically placed around the corset. There's one bone on either side of the back lacing, and another down each side of the back. Another runs down each side under the armpits and 2 down the bust area. The bones that run along the bust stop roughly 2" short from the top, keeping them from flattening the breasts. Though there is no underwire or padding, there is more than enough support.

There is an intriguing scalloped trim around the top, something like the edge of a thick doily. It goes well with the swirled, shiny brocade pattern on the red side.


The top, bottom, and each bone is lined in black satin.


The thong is solid black satin and has a liner. The material is thick and somewhat rigid, unlike most other panties would be. There is no stretch whatsoever to the panty itself, but the sides are simple elastic. These elastic sides stretch abundantly.


There are no shoulder straps but the garters adjust from 6" to 9". They are not unlike standard bra straps. The clips on the ends are plastic and though I do not typically wear them with the corset, they will hold stockings up. The garter attachment loops are hidden from the red side but would be exposed on the black side.

Size/Fit:

The corset is available in sizes 32-44. This review details the size 34.

The Dreamgirl size chart does not provide suggested sizes for best fit. I ordered the 34 based on the band size of my bra and adjustable laces in the back allow the piece to be a bit more forgiving.

I wear a dress size 4 and a solid 34DD bra. My waist measures 25" and around the top of my hips measures 32 1/2". I am 5'5" and weigh 122lbs.

The corset fits me like a glove. There's lots of space in the bust area and my breasts happily fill that space in a most flattering way. I would caution anyone smaller than a C cup to order a size down from their band size.

The super stretchy elastic sides of the thong don't cut my hips at all and would easily fit larger hips than mine. Without stretch in the rest of the panty, the fit is odd. The back, being rather thick, bunches and poufs a bit. However, it covers the good bits and is, in the broad sense, comfortable.

I've taken some measurements of the corset with the laces fully tightened and thong:
Corset:
Total waist: 25 1/2" across
Total hip: 32 1/2" across
Total bust: 33" across
Length centre back: 12 1/2"
Length armpit down: 14"
Length bust down: 16"

Thong:
Unstretched hips: 27 1/2" around
Maximum stretched hips: 52" around
Length: 14"
Largest width of front: 4 1/2"
Average width of back: 2"

Care:

There is a tag sewn into the panty which describes the preferable cleaning methods. This is the same method indicated on the tag that comes attached to the corset. Both the corset and thong are meant to be hand washed and hung to dry. A mild laundry detergent and warm water will do the trick. Maintain the corsets integrity by pressing the water out of it and avoid wringing it.

There are satin loops sewn into the black side of the corset which allow it to be hung up for storage. The loops can be snipped off for wearing this reversible side, in which case the corset can be delicately folded up and stored flat in a drawer.

Final Thoughts:

I am genuinely impressed and justifiably satisfied with this set. It is gorgeous and fits so well. I'd even argue that it's the most comfortable corset I've ever worn. My partner loves this corset on me and I find myself getting more and more excited to wear it for him each time.

It is a cinch to get into (pun intended) and I am able to do so all by myself. My partner can, of course, do it more swiftly and efficiently. I did not need to loosen the laces all that much before I was able to do up the front. The hooks do not slip out of the eyes easily and will stay together until deliberately pulled apart.

My only qualm is that the corset would require some fine tuning in order to be legitimately reversible. When putting the corset on, black side out, the hook and eyes are backwards which not only takes more effort to put on, but they won't be hidden. The red peaks through the centre, and the garter loops and hanging loops are also exposed. Though the brocade fabric is no less comfortable against the skin, the corset does not appear to have a truly reversible design.


Finally, here are a few snapshots of me wearing the corset (pardon the bruise).