Hocus Pocus, Period Corsets Gets Spooky for Halloween

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Far Right: Custom Renaissance Faire bodice made from client fabric

Our Period Corsets Renaissance Faire Bodice ran amok through Halloween as it took a turn with the witches from Hocus Pocus. Our client supplied the fabric for her custom corset for her own interpretation of Sarah Sanderson from the movie Hocus Pocus, a classic fan favorite for the spooky holidays. 

The final corset constructed from our client's fabrics,
made to her measurements

Who will you be? Get your own Reniassance Faire Bodice through our Etsy shop!

Photo spread courtesy of Vixen of Horror

Photo credits:

photography: @randywhitephotography 

Models: @goldiegoodnight_voh as Winifred Sanderson 

@hazelbellocq_voh as Sarah Sanderson @necromanda_voh as Mary Sanderson 

Various other costume pieces by @amanda_mcgahey , @goodnightgoldie @danielle_hpi

Sarah Sanderson corset by Period Corsets

Venice is Sinking Masquerade Ball

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Period Corsets costumes made a lasting impression at this year's lavish masquerade ball, Venice is Sinking. Back for it's 11th year, this fantastical gathering of costumed attendants wined, dined and danced the night away, several of whom wearing a Period Corsets ensemble or corset.

Attendee wearing a full Period Corsets costume ensemble

In conjunction with costume rental house A Masquerade, Period Corsets costumes made their red carpet debut and twirled through the night. Several party attendees found their perfect costume match within the doors of our rental friends at A Masquerade who carries a large range of our ensembles and singular pieces ready to mix and match into unique looks.

A gathering of lovelies assembled wearing their Period Corsets costumes

A Masquerade owner Kyra Stewart, and her creative staff, use their magic, and great design skills, to outfit their clients in the perfect ensemble to match any event. Using our corsets, skirts, skirt supports or Rustles, Kyra and crew artfully combines our pieces with their own stock pieces to put together unique looks for each client. With a large range of pieces spanning across many eras of fashion, Period Corsets rental line and A Masquerade have found a lovely partnership ready to serve the demand of party go-ers across the Pacific Northwest.

Along with the many rented looks, client Kim Clements debuted her one-of-a-kind ensemble, a collaborative effort between herself and Period Corsets. Kim discovered our pieces through A Masquerade and contacted us directly to create some unique pieces to match the rest of her costume build. Kim supplied her own fabrics for a bespoke corset and ruffle pannier Rustles to match her wonderful handmade bolero jacket and open front skirt. 

These lovely ladies selected their looks from our many Victorian styled offerings. Wearing a plum brocade c. 1880 Alice corset and a teal c. 1905 Mae corset, both with matching Tulip skirts, these two were dressed to impress!

An overview of the party hosted at Seattle Design Center

Not only a wonderful excuse for playing dress-up, this annual masquerade ball offered a full evening of entertainment and treats for the eyes. Offering up a new act every 15 minutes, Venice is Sinking provided a stage for a whole range of performances from opera singers, musicians, dancers, contortionists and acrobats, burlesque and even suspended shibari. 

A small assortment of the evening's entertainment including opera signers, burlesque, and suspended dancers

And what is an evening of lush extravagances without the proper snacks?  Once inside the Marie Antoinette Dessert Room, attendees entered a world of sweets. Platters were overflowing with all manner of treats so that everyone could have their cake, and eat it too.

Let them eat cake!.... and petite fours, and macarons

Marie Antoinette guards her treats at the entrance of the dessert room

Delicious dainty treats in the Marie Antoinette Dessert Room

  Gorgeous in gold, this fine lass wore our tabbed corset in gold brocade with matching lace trimmed chemise, and sequined Rustles. Love this look? Get your own, and other similar looks, made in the colors of choice through our Etsy.

All photos courtesy of Olga Plastino

Period Corsets Black and White Masquerade

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Masquerade season is upon us and with that comes more opportunities for Period Corsets to create stunning ensembles that are ready to wear for any upcoming ball or party. 

For our latest 18th century inspired look, we used an all black and white palette. Black silk, textured taffeta, silk charmeuse and touches of glossy black ribbons came together in a multi-pieced versatile ensemble. To achieve this look, we focused on using ivory with black touches and even created our own fabrics along the way. 

Before constructing, we started with a design sketch to map out our final look. Once we have our ideas formed, we source and shop our fabrics and trims. In a case such as this, we started with the fabrics first and then used them to inspired our designs. Sometimes a fabric alone, or even just a piece of trim, can birth a new creation.  

For this look, we wanted to add even more visual interest and bring in some additional black elements to compliment the solid black pieces in the ensemble. We added strips of black material to create some beautiful lines that ran vertically down the yardage used on our open front skirt.  

Our beautiful material, ready for construction. 

Separate stomacher piece in progress.

Elegant contrasting white ribbons for the back lacing.

Change your mood? Change your look!

Our versatile mix-and-match look features a removable front stomacher on the corset. This detachable piece contains several rows of black ribbons attached at the sides. By untying the ribbons, the corset can go from black and white to a more subdued solid black. 

Watch below to see our removable stomacher in action:

From the inside out- dressing for the ball:

Our costume in action, photo by Olga Plastino

For more info on this fabulous ensemble, contact us at sales@periodcorsets.com or go to A Masquerade to inquire about renting Period Corsets garments for your next event.

You can also find more options for your upcoming Masquerade Ball through our Etsy store. 

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:

Period Corsets Brings Structure to Cosplayer's Outlander Ensemble

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Period Corsets and cosplayers rejoice, we've found a corset match made in heaven! Costume enthusiasts from all around use Period Corsets as their secret weapon to provide the perfect shape beneath their ensembles or as part of their final costume.

Cosplayer Amanda wears Period Corsets stays beneath her Outlander dress.

What is a costume without the proper structure? Amanda from Analeigh Cosplay knows a thing or two about finding the perfect details for each outfit. Amanda was our lucky winner in one of our Period Corsets giveaways. Her prize of our 18th c. stays made of golden yellow silk, was the perfect match for her Outlander cosplay. 

Period Corsets turned to the 18th c. for inspiration on this beautiful flatlined corset, made of rich yellow Dupioni silk with white ribbon ties and modest tabs. A beautiful addition to any Beauty and the Beast ensemble or, in this case, the perfect base for a Claire Fraser costume.

Period Corsets in action, constructing the stays

The original inspirational costume from television's Outlander. 

Analeigh Cosplay visiting the original costume on display and her in progress version. 

 Used as a hidden layer to provide the perfect shape, our corsets and skirt supports give cosplayers and costumers that extra detail needed to achieve the right look. When worn as underwear, a corset can help to transform the body's shape and create a great base for your costume. When made in gorgeous fabrics, all of our pieces also can work beautifully as the costume itself. With the growing popularity of corsets used as costumes in cosplay, Period Corsets comes to the rescue to work with our clients on their custom ideas. 

Period Corsets under cover corset, ready to shape and support! We're a cosplay secret weapon!

The final corset, sized for Amanda and ready to tour her many Comicon appearances across the U.S. 

Analeigh Cosplay in her replica Outlander gown worn over her Period Corsets stays

Analeigh Cosplay is a Canadian cosplayer who has been delighting her fans with her own versions of super heroes, Disney princesses and other fictitious favorites. She was our lucky Free Corset Winner of 2017.
Become a fan and follow us for your chance to win in our next campaign through Period Corsets Instagram and Facebook.