Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

For years now I’ve watched other women wear corset tops, and I’ve loved the look but never thought I could pull it off. I have no idea what body type I have. I take the online surveys and read the guides, but to no avail…I don’t fit in any one mold. I think maybe I’m a little bit inverted triangle, but my shoulders really aren’t super broad…so I just don’t know. I do have a small bust for my height and build, which is why I never thought I could pull off a corset top. I thought it would just gap on me around the chest. But when I was given the opportunity to review a corset top, I thought…why not?

I received the black burlesque with pink stripes corset, currently on sale for $18. I wasn’t able to choose which one I wanted. If I had been, I’d probably have gone with a solid black corset, because I was really hoping for something I could wear to a restaurant, etc., on the rare date with my husband.

The first time I put the corset on, I struggled with it a good 10 or 15 minutes. I had to loosen the ribbons (laces) in the back, and then they ended up too loose and started coming off all the way. Eventually I realized there’s a zipper on the side of the corset. Oh. So all you really need to do is loosen the ribbons, zip the corset around you, and then tighten the ribbons. It would still be easier to tighten them, if you have someone to help you, but I think it’s something you can get better at the more you do it.

There are actually two sets of laces in the back. One starts on the bottom, and the other set starts at the top. This allowed me to get different fits for my thicker waist and smaller bust. When I pull really tight on the top, I’m able to get the corset tight enough that it doesn’t gap around the bust. Score!

I was pleased with the quality of this corset. It’s a lot nicer than I would’ve expected for an under-twenty-dollars corset. As I’ve mentioned, it laces up in the back, but there’s a zipper on the side. The corset itself is about 14 1/2″ long (for reference, I’m 5’10”). The bra cups are underwire for support, and there are 12 light-weight bones throughout the corset to give it (and you) shape. It also comes with a matching black thong.

Since I wanted a corset I would feel comfortable wearing in public, I ended up cutting off the bows and pairing the corset with skinny jeans and a black knit cardigan. I think it’s probably still a little too ruffled for a regular date night. What do you think? Any changes you can suggest that would tone it down a bit?

Corset Chick also carries plus size corsets, as well as leggings, shape wear, and other types of lingerie. They have a large clearance section too.

Which corset top would you choose?

Note: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.