This is a well made and sexy corst. It is made of 6 panels of very "heavy" brocade fabric in a black on black floral and scroll pattern. The fabric is a cotton/polyester/spandex blend. The company, Leg Avenue, describes this as having a "busk" closure in the front. In the center back, there are 9 steel "grommets" to lace up and tighten or loosen the corset as you like. There is strong black ribbon included--and plenty of it. You can change it up with other colors, but I say, "Why bother? It's in the back and it isn't going anywhere! Picture lacing up your sneakers and that gives you an idea of what the back is like.

Busk? Both the Mrs. and I had to look that one up in the dictionary (we still use a book, and beleive me, our kids have yet to stop kidding us about it, so don't start here...). A busk is something inserted in the front of a corset to stiffen it. It could have been whalebone, but Leg Avenue chose steel. The "busk" has steel hooks and having these in the front make it easy on and easy off. Mrs. has trouble with things that close in the back and usually puts them on and hooks them in front and then twists it around. With long things, that can rub and be difficult. The steel hooks are stable and do not come apart until you want them to take off the corset. The corset has 5 more plastic "bones" around to support the material with the purpose of holding things in and giving the illusion of a smaller waist. Mrs. is nice and fluffy/soft and this does seem to firm her up. From my perspective, it is not very sexy to hold her when she is wearing this. It just doesn't feel natural like lingerie that is not so hard. The fabric is also thick so I don't feel like I am phsically "connecting" with her.

The picture looks like the fabric is a semi-sheer lacy material and if you are expecting that, you will be disappointed. It is not at all sheer. We also have a red corset (from DreamGirl) and the materials are very similar in texture but not design. There is a small ruffle at the top and bottom (front only on the bottom) that is made from the same material as the rest of this garment. We both like that extra touch

Mrs. is a solid size 14 and the 1X fits well with about an inch of extra room in the back. All in all, this is both a hit and a miss. Both of us really like the way it looks--very classy and sexy, but for the Mrs. it is not very comfortable. Unlike other corsets we have, Sasha is long in front and short in back. This makes it easier if you want to sit while wearing it but Mrs. also finds that the front bones tend to dig into her thighs. Ouch. She has the same problem with the lower back bones. Ironically, the front "busk" is not at all a problem (I just want to work the word busk in as often as I can--those of you who are fans of Andy Cohen, know what to do each time "busk" appears in the review!!!).

Mrs. is 5'3" tall and I think this would work better for taller women--the lower part of the bones would hit in a different spot and not dig so much--at least that is the Mrs theory. We got a pair of red and black ruffled pantys to go with this. You all know that the Mrs. is not a fan of thongs. Frankly, I think this needs something more substantial than a thong to look its best. The ruffled panty is a nice choice to wear with this. The model in the pictures is wearing a black ruffled panty (not the same one we have) with a boy short style and it looks very nice also.

Care and washing instructions for Sasha are pretty standard--hand wash, no twisting and lay it out flat to dry. This is one of the few pieces that Mrs. really hand washes. The bones would have a tough time in the washing machine and the steel "busk" may damage a washing machine. She soaks Sasha in the tub with some pretty warm water and liquid Tide--when the water is cool, or when she gets back to it, she rinses it (also in the tub) several times until the water is no longer soapy. It really does not get dirty because it is never worn very long--we just like to have fun with Sasha--no threesome, just a fashion show and after awile, Sasha is on her way...

Younger, bolder women may wear this out but I think they would wear a camisole or skimpy tank under. In our opinion, it is too bare to wear out without some covering. Skin shows in front and back, as well as the bare shoulders.

We would recommend this to anyone who likes wearing heavy corsets. Mrs. says she would get uncomfortable if wearing this past 30 minutes, so for an evening out, we can't say. Younger, firmer women may not have the same issues with Sasha.

I still like this, it looks brand new but the Mrs. still finds it a bit uncomfortable after wearing it more than a few minutes.