Masquerade Marie Antoinette by Period Corsets- to Rent or Own

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Marie Antoinette is big again! Hundreds of years later her influence, and that of the lavish fashions of the later 18th century, are still being felt all over. This was a time of extremes in fashion, with its wide panniers, full skirts, and bust enhancing corsets.

After hearing the needs of many, Period Corsets has designed a new, versatile take on this classic look. Perfect for a fancy ball or party, our modern Marie Antoinette features coordinating, interchangeable layers that can be removed and revealed as you saunter through the crowd. The only thing more fun than wearing a costume is one that can change with you throughout the evening!

Modern Marie Antoinette convertible skirt

By adding the convertible overskirt, your look can go from demure to sassy in seconds. The skirt can be worn open to reveal the pretty under-layers by pulling up on either side and tying it up with big ribbon bows. Or tie the skirt closed to hide the inner layers for a more covered, modest look.

Over-skirt worn closed with ribbon ties at the center front

The full skirt drapes beautifully over the modest pannier silhouette

Our focus for this fun and flirty homage was to craft an ensemble with mix and match separates at an affordable price. By using new streamlined time-saving techniques, we've created pieces that are an economical costume choice for any party, festival, or dress-up event.

This 4-piece ensemble includes the newest addition to our catalog, our frilly "Rustles". This is a simplified ruffled pannier with lighter boning and ribbon tie-on waistbands. The long bodied chemise doubles as an underskirt layer that peeks out below the "Rustles" and can be worn with or without the convertible overskirt.

Our "Rustles" with long ribbon ties for adjustability.
The 3 layers of ruffles hide an inner fabric-covered cage of light pannier boning. 

The long chemise doubles as a short skirt below the many layers

The tabbed 18th-century-style corset features adjustable shoulder straps with ribbon ties and peek-a-boo lacing at the center front giving you even more flexibility with shaping at the bust line.

Strike a captivating pose in this 18th c. style corset 

 Available in any size from small to 2X, or custom made to your measurements, this affordable ensemble can be made in any color. Save money by supplying your own fabrics or have us shop for materials for you. See here for more info on purchasing this set for yourself.

Or, if you're shopping for a one-night soiree, you can also rent this full ensemble through A Masquerade.

Watch as our ensemble comes together:

Historical Corsetry Within the Pages of The Delineator

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Journey with us back to c. 1910. Found in the Period Corsets® archives this April issue of The Delineator features a fabulous collection of corset advertisements, as well as some amusing stories and ads from times past. 

Wonderful full page, color advertisement for W.B. Corsets

"Health and comfort for all ages and figures"

A few single column corset ads from various pages

History through the pages

Empowerment Through Corsets- A Boudoir Shoot

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A beautifully made corset can be many things to different people- an accessory to empowerment, a way to sculpt and shape, a proper silhouette for historical attire, an actor's tool to enhance their character for the stage. For Dana Thomas, her corset was a celebration of her form and self-being.

"She wore her scars as her best attire. A stunning dress made of hellfire..." -Daniel Saint

Dana came to us searching for a shapely corset for a wonderful event she was attending overseas, the Secret Cinema Moulin Rouge party in London. For this themed event, guests were expected to come in appropriate attire to match their assigned character. Something so unique deserved a truly special corset.

Accessories for a night of fun

Dana at the Moulin Rouge party hosted by the Secret Cinema  

During her fitting, Dana and our team found the perfect style corset to match her needs, our c. 1880 Alice with added straps. Dana brought in her own Chinese brocade fabric, a wonderful find from the depths of a secret stash. We complimented this by adding black satin piping along the top and bottom edges of the corset.

Dana finds the perfect match during her final fitting

The corset of choice, our c. 1880 Alice

Going beyond the needs of a fancy soirée, Dana also found use for her corset in a boudoir photo-shoot. The  purpose of this very intimate session provided more that just a stunning series of photos, it was a way for Dana to bare her soul as well. It opened up an opportunity for Dana to focus on her true self and what it meant to be comfortable in the skin and body that she was given. In her in-depth blog post, she wrote about the experience and revisited the journey that brought her to who she is today. 

"I want to celebrate the body I have today, battered and bruised, scarred by misadventures and medical procedures, and more beautiful than it’s ever been. The girl I once was, now woman incarnate. Stories engraved upon my skin telling a tale to all those who will listen."

""Let life mark you. The best among us have so many imprints left upon us it's like embroidery." Here I am stripped down, stripped away, me and my vulnerability. I've never felt more alive." 
-excerpt from Dana's blog post

boudoir Photography by Lindsay Carlisle

Hair and makeup by Ashley Z

Model Dana Thomas