Beyond the Bedroom

Lingerie is no longer a naughty little secret. Intimate apparel as outerwear is one of the hottest trends today. Bustier and corset ruled the spring 2012 runways, with designers including Dolce & Gabbana, Jason Wu and Prada all showing versions of the look. The trend has popped up on red carpets, becoming a favorite of starlets like Rihanna, Evan Rachel Wood, Megan Fox, and Scarlett Johansson.

It’s easy to rock this sexy trend and maintain a slick and sophisticated appearance. Pair a corset or bustier with skinny jeans or pants and a blazer for a day to evening look. Combine a bustier with a high-waisted pencil skirt for a classic silhouette. You can even wear a corset with shorts or a miniskirt for a sexy night-out. Accessorize with a statement necklace or earrings to finish the look. Be careful not to cross the line over to inappropriate – sheer numbers are best left for the bedroom.

Although similar, a corset and bustier differ in the details. A corset is a form of shape wear, and usually serves to slim the waist and create an hourglass shape.  Worn regularly, corsets can dramatically alter a woman’s body. A bustier is not designed to shape the body and tends to have some stretch, although it does push up the bust and create a beautiful silhouette.

So go ahead and show off the sexiest you in a corset or bustier of your choice. Of course you can also simply wear a corset underneath your LBD for a boost, and to create a beautiful feminine shape.