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Renaissance Ladies Corsets, Bodices, Bustiers,Waist Cinchers, and Vests
The first corsets, bodices, and vests I am featuring would only have been worn by high-class ladies, noblewomen, and royalty during the Renaissance Era. The sumptuous fabrics, the exquisite designs, and the craftsmanship by skilled artisans were a luxury affordable only by the wealthy.
The lower class peasant women couldn’t afford bright color dyes for their cloth, lace, or other expensive fabrics. They usually wore less expensive fabrics such as linen and wool dyed with vegetable dyes in earthy colors. Even though authentic peasant clothing was a bit drab, we can still have fun at Renaissance Fairs and cosplay events with corsets, bodices, vests, and bustiers made with brightly colored fabrics if we choose.
For historical re-enactments, stick with the traditional and classic designs of the character and of the social hierarchy you are portraying to remain as authentic and as true to the character as possible. I like to look at old Renaissance paintings to get authentic costume ideas for this time in history.
Have a look through the many different varieties of Renaissance corsets, bustiers, bodices, and vests I have selected for your women’s Renaissance costume vision. I have searched for a wide variety of styles and colors for you to choose from.
Women’s Renaissance Waist Cinchers
Table of Contents
Waist cinchers are not regular corsets, nor are they meant to reduce inches from the waistline. However, they can be a great accessory to a Renaissance skirt and blouse ensemble. Be sure to take accurate measurements so that they will not overlap when cinched closed.
Reminiscent of richly woven tapestries of a bygone era, these brocade waist cinchers will be a beautiful asset to your Renaissance costume. Although they will not take any inches off your waist, they will catch the eye of the beholder while adding a touch of elegance to your costume.
These next lace-up bodices and vests are a Renaissance peasant-style bodice, however, they are made of fabrics only nobles and royals could afford. The fabrics for lower-class peasants would have been coarser fabrics which were more common and more readily available in their local areas.
Linen was the most common fabric, much more so than cotton. Flax was a common fiber plant grown in abundance all over Europe. It was spun into the linen thread and then woven into linen fabric.
Sheep for wool and meat were raised on farms with the sheep’s wool spun into wool thread which was used to weave, knit, and crochet warm clothing. Felting from wool fibers was a skill learned by peasants to make warm clothing and warm headwear. Today, we are more apt to use cotton and synthetic fabrics than linen.
Renaissance Maiden Cottage-Style Lace-Up Ivy Leaves Bodice Corset
Inspired by a Romantic Period this ivy leaves print bodice is made in 2 layers of beautiful, breathable fabric. It is made for comfort without bonning. You can wear it completely laced closed or lace it looser to remain partialy open. The front and back lacings can be cinched perfectly to your preference. Wear it over any Middle Age dress or Renaissance chemise.
Women’s Renaissance Wench Black Lace Overlay
Reversible Bodice Corsets
A purple and burgundy red satin lace-up bodice covered with a black lace overlay would have been worn by a lady rather than a peasant woman. Peasant women couldn’t afford the luxury of lace and it was against the law for a lower-class woman to wear purple and red colors. Those colors were reserved for royalty and high-ranking officials. I would pair these corsets with either a white or black chemise or blouse worn under the bodice with a black underskirt and an overskirt of a contrasting color. The bodice is reversible to a satin jewel-tone color.
Exquisite jacquard fabric with lace trim turns these Renaissance lace-up corset costume vests into a luxurious noblewoman’s accessory. Although they are not historically correct (they zip up the back) they do lend an air of aristocracy to a woman’s Renaissance costume. These corset vests lace-up the front in metal grommets with satin ribbon. Wear them again for a Gothic costume, to a Steampunk event, or to a Pirate Fest as a fancy buccaneer.
Velvet was a fabric choice only permitted to be worn by high-ranking women according the European Sumptuary Laws of the time. No one under the statice of ‘Lady’ was allowed to wear any clothing made from velvet. Become a Lady of the Manor wearing a beautiful lace-up velvet bodice vest with a full sleeve blouse and a full ankle-length skirt.
Renaissance Lady Medieval Brown Velvet Lace-Up Vest (Vest Only)
These short velvet bodice survests are a simple Medieval design similar to the longer cyclas of the middle 13th- to 15th-century. The elegant velvet fabric suggests a casual day garment worn by a woman of higher standing than a peasant or working-class woman, yet not as high as a Baroness. Perhaps the lady of a manor or a laird’s wife would have worn a sumptuous velvet bodice vest as casual attire. The vest would be worn over a long full white chemise with an extra skirt worn as an overskirt on top of the chemise to keep it clean.
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance Era, only Royals and noblewomen could have afforded to wear bodices and vest made from woven tapestry and brocaded fabrics. A skilled artisan would have spent months weaving the hand spun threads into a colorful tapestry fabric for a tailor to fashion into a lace-up bodice vest of the type I am featuring below. The fabric would have been sewn into many different articles of clothing for both men and women, along with using this type of fabric in home furnishings. Tapestry fabric and silk brocades were also woven into home furnishings such as draperies, creating sumptuous bedroom suites, and to cover furniture and walls.
Don’t you love the look of this amazing tapestry-style vest? Unfortunately, this beautiful vest has not been hand spun and handwoven. In today’s market, it would cost hundreds to thousands of dollars for a garment of this type to be made my hand. This costume vest is made from mixed threads of cotton, and polyester, with a viscose rayon lining. The square-neck vest laces up the front. It is an ideal costume accessory piece for Ren Fests, Steampunk events, Live Action Role Playing events, Pirate Festivals, Comic Cons, and last but not least, Halloween!
Women’s Faire Wear Floral Print Tapestry Lace-Up Bustier Corsets
The perfect Renaissance Faire accessory for the spring and summer! These are beautiful tapestry spring floral patterns with white lace trim straps and necklines. They are the perfect bustier to wear alone or over a white full sleeve breezy blouse for the more modest. They are available in 8 more tapestry fabric patterns and styles.
Four more colors are available in this Jacquard Floral Print Tapestry Suspender Lace-Up Corset. It is innocently feminine and sexy with its white floral trimmed shoulder straps and boat-neck neckline. The fabric is a soft, lightweight and breathable, high-quality linen-polyester blend. It laces up the front with white cording in metal grommets. It is a bandage-style that does not lace in the back. Do hand wash these vests in cold water or wash on a short, gentle cycle only in cold water, if necessary. Hang to dry.
Historically Accurate Reversible
Renaissance Noblewoman Brocade Bodices
The four historically correct brocade bodice vests (shown above and below) have lacings up the front and in the back allowing for a fully adjustable fit. It reverses from the brocade shown to a durable soft black satin fabric. This is a great one to wear to reenactment events, cosplay events, role playing events, and Renaissance Festivals.
Renaissance Noblewoman Back Lace-Up Boned Bustier Corsets with Satin Shoulder Ribbons
Wide satin ribbons tied at the shoulders give a lovey feminine touch to these back lace-up boned bustier corsets. The boning keeps the form in front while the back lacings adjust for a perfect nice snug fit. Naturally, only noblewomen and royals would have worn boned-bustiers such as these.
They are also a great choice for magical creatures such as fairies, wood nymphs, and sprites.
Women’s Green Sateen Back Lace-Up Boned Corset Fairy Top
Lace-up bodice vests are the perfect Renaissance costume accessory for a peasant wench character. Wear them with a full-sleeve peasant blouse and a full-length, double-layered gathered skirt. It is always a good thing to have several different colors in your costume wardrobe for a variety of costume changes.
I am featuring, (above and below) four of the six solid colors available for this reversible peasant wench corset bodice vests. I am showing each color in a different pose to give you a better idea of how they are designed.
These bodices are affordable, however, be forewarned, they do have to be slipped over your head to get them on. Be sure to fix your hair AFTER putting it on and not before. These corset vests lace-up in the front and in the back with boning in both the front and the back. There isn’t any side boning.
Renaissance Peasant Women Costume Lace-Up Bodice Vests
Of the 14 different colors, patterns, and fabrics available in this style, I am only featuring three solid colors. The light-blue color is a linen fabric and the other two are a poly-cotton blend. They are all lined in polyester. These peasant costume lace-up vests only lace up the front through grommets. These vests are suitable for many different costumes, therefore they can be used time and time again!
The life of a noble aristocratic during the Renaissance era was filled with extravagant entertainment. The nobles loved to sponsored fabulous balls with music, dancing, and feasting. All of their extravagant activities became a stage for the players to exhibit their elaborate fashions.
Wealthy noblemen and noblewomen dressed in expensive silk from China, brocades from Italy, and velvet fabrics trimmed with fur from Germany. During the 14th and 15th centuries, the Court of Burgundy was renowned for its fashion tastes and the luxurious fabrics that went into the creation of their clothing. Corsets were not any different. They were elaborate pieces made from fine silks and brocade fabrics.
These floral underbust corsets are not a Medieval print that would have been worn by peasant women during the Renaissance, but they are fun for a Renaissance Faire costume. They are well made from a velvet floral print fabric. Velvet is a fabric only worn by an upper-class lady or noblewoman. The velvet bodices can be worn over a cotton chemise and skirt. It is an outfit for a lady to wear in her garden.
Pair it with a luxury black satin or jacquard top and skirt for a more formal, elegant outfit a lady might wear outside the manor or at court.
Noblewomen’s Renaissance Red Velvet Underbust Corset with Faux Leather Buckling
Worthy of a noblewoman’s wardrobe during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance Era. This corset is fashioned from high-quality red velvet fabric with 100% cotton twill lining. It is a steel boned, underbust corset with black cord lacings in the back and it has 4 faux leather and steel buckles in the front, covering the metal hook and eye fasteners. In addition, the shoulder harness straps are furnished with adjustable buckles.
This corset is a HAND WASH ONLY costume garment. Do not try to put them through a machine to wash or dry. It is available in Small to 6X sizes.
Gorgeous high-quality velvet cincher corsets are trimmed with black lace braiding down the front and on both the top and bottom hems. The corsets are fashioned with heavy duty double steel bones and they lace-up in the front and in the back for that perfect hourglass figure. These corsets can draw in your waist and flatten your tummy while providing solid support to your lumbar, middle and lower back. They can also help with posture correction. The company also features solid velvet corsets without the lace braiding trim, plain satin corsets, faux leather corsets, and Scottish plaid corsets.
Purple, green, maroon, and black-on-black brocade underbust corsets are also available in the same style. They have metal fasteners down the front, double steel boned stays, and lacings down the back. These are high-quality corsets which can be used for many different costume events.
Please Note: The corsets featured above have a straight-across underbust design while the double steel boned stay corsets featured below have a slightly curved design beneath the bust line.
These curved underbust corsets are available in the same color schemes as the previous straight-cut underbust corsets; including the shown purple and maroon. The corsets are also available in green, blue, black-on-black, silver, gold, and brown colors.
Woman’s Luxury Blue and Gold Brocade Steel Boned Underbust Corset
The brocade paisley underbust corsets lace-up the back and fasten in the front with metal closures. They have two steel rods adjacent to the front busk, with 14 plastic bones supporting these bustier waist-cincher corsets. They are also available in red and black.
Certain sizes and colors have 2-day shipping with easy 30-day return policy for Amazon Prime members. Be sure to look for them.
The scroll pattern brocade bustier corsets featured above is also available in red. A selection of sizes and colors are available for Prime member free shipping and returns.
The above featured bustier corsets are also available in four more colors.
Please Note: Keep in mind when ordering a corset, they run smaller than regular clothing. These corsets are underbust corsets and will NOT go over the “girls” like a bra. The corset will sit on the rib cage under the bust. You will still need to wear a bra under your blouse. Select your corset ONLY based on your NATURAL WAIST measurement, NOT YOUR BUST measurements.
Underbust corsets with straps give more support to large busted women and work fabulously for a total Renaissance look. Smaller busted women will love the way the corset accentuates the bustline and draws in on the waistline! The perfect costume accessories to wear to a Renaissance Faire!
Woman’s Blue Brocade Underbust Adjustable Strap Waist Trainer Back Lace-Up Corset
This amazing corset will not only improve your posture, your confidence, and your waistline, it will enhance the look of your Renaissance costume making you look as awesome as you feel. I would wear it over a full-sleeve chemise undergarment (as shown) for an authentic Medieval Renaissance noblewoman costume.
A w-shaped hemline instead of the classic v-shape sets this underbust corset apart from the rest. They are sexy waist training underbust corsets with wide comfy shoulder straps, a floral brocade pattern, a fully adjustable criss cross laced back, along with a modesty panel. This corset style is also available in black and white brocade overlay.
Women’s Strapped Jacquard Steel Boned Waist Cincher Corset Vest
The above colors are the only colors available from this manufacturer in this jacquard style underbust bustier corset with straps. They will give you the Renaissance Faire look you want when worn over a Medieval style chemise blouse with a long, full gathered skirt.
Putting on a Corset Tutorial
Some women always ask how do I put on my corset? I have simple instructions on how you can do it by yourself. I also found a video that I hope will be useful.
How to Fasten (Close) Your Corset Busque
How to Put On an Overbust Corset?
Loosen the corset by undoing the center loops and pulling the back of corset apart 6-7-inches. Don’t undo the laces at the bottom of the corset.
Carefully line up the two sides of your busque on the front of the corset. Line up the pins and the holes and clip the busque together. If your corset only has back lacings watch the next video.
Tighten the lacing starting from the top. Next, go to the bottom of the lacing and pull the laces tighter there. Then working the bottom half of the lacing tighter.
Tie off the loose lacing on the back of your corset.
There is a panel at the back of the corset. You can use it to cover up your back under the lacing. If you prefer a more exposed look, you can fold it into the corset back under the lace up.
The overbust corsets featured next are meant to go over the “girls” like a bra, however, they do not offer the support of a bra. Unless you are small-busted, I do recommend wearing a bra under your blouse for the additional support. You will need to test both ways to see which way works the best for you.
If you plan on wearing an overbust corset without a blouse underneath, then I recommend wearing a strapless bra or a bandeau bra underneath for the additional support for medium to large-busted women need. I for one, have to wear a bra. Otherwise, I tend to spill out over the corset sides which can become a bit embarrassing and not very pretty. LOL.
Not historically correct as this peplum skirted overbust corset zips up in the back. No one will notice if it is worn under a cape or cloak, and no one will care if worn as a Pirate Fest, a Ren Fair, or a Halloween costume. I would not, however, wear it to a Reenactment event where the costumes need to be historically accurate.
The elegant corset is a jacquard rose floral brocade trimmed at the bustline with a sheer pleated ribbon and decorated on the peplum skirt with a cream colored satin ribbon. It laces up the front with a matching cream satin ribbon.
Available in the 4 colors shown, these corsets will make a beautiful Renaissance Lady costume when worn with layered skirts for an formal evening event. Add a formal luxury fabric full skirt and it will be elegant enough for a lady to wear to the King’s Royal Court.
These gorgeous overbust corsets will give you many uses for many different occasions such as out-on-the-town clubbing; as a Gothic, Diesel Punk, or Steampunk cosplay accessory; a pirate lass or serving wench costume; paired with a handkerchief skirts to become a fairy; or as part of a burlesque queen stage costume.
These corsets are available in sizes X-Small to 6X. They lace-up the back with satin ribbons and close in the front with hook-eye steel busk fasteners. They are trimmed at the bustline and hem with gathered satin ribbon.
Please, remember these garments are HAND WASH ONLY. Do not try to put them through a machine to wash or dry.
You can see more colors in this style by clicking the red Amazon button above. There are 13 more colors available. Please, remember these corsets are HAND WASH ONLY. Please do not try to put them through a machine to wash or dry.
Renaissance Women Shoulder Strapped Floral Brocade Steel Boned Lace-Up Overbust Corset Vest
The shoulder straps of these overbust corset vests are adjustable with ribbons and you can tie them up on the shoulder or hide them inside as an off-shoulder bustier. The straps aren’t just for a great look. They offer extra support and prevent the corset from slipping down if the laces aren’t tied tight enough. These corsets lace-up in the front and the back for that perfect fit.
Again, as a reminder, please, remember these garments are HAND WASH ONLY. Do not try to put them through a machine to wash or dry.
Renaissance Noblewoman Velvet Overbust Corsets
As a reminder, as I have already mentioned earlier, velvet was a fabric only affordable by high-ranking women and men. No one below the rank of lady or knight was allowed to wear luxury fabrics. The Sumptuary Laws prevented lower-class and middle-class people from crossing the line by wearing velvet and only Royals were allowed to wear regal colors (purple and red). The Sumptuary Laws were not repealed until the late 17th century and some of the laws remained in effect as late as the 19th century in England and Scotland.
Women’s Renaissance Velvet Overbust Steel Boned Back Lace-Up Corset
Luxurious high-quality velvet overbust corsets with heavy duty double steel bone stays in sizes for everyone from XX-Small to 8X-Large. Fasten the corset in the front with rust free eyelets and lace-up the back with strong ribbon laces.
An overbust corset with off-the-shoulder sleeves made of premium high-quality soft dark red velvet fabric. The front closes with premium metal busk fasteners over a privacy panel. The lining is 100% cotton twill. The back laces-up in brass grommets with thick cording for tight cinching. It has 8 spiral steel bones with 4 static back bones and 4 static front bones. The garters are removable. It is an elegant luxurious costume piece that will pair beautifully with a long full gathered skirt. It is available in regular and plus sizes.
Overbust velvet corsets embellished with black lace and big black satin ribbon bows on the front. They are lined with cotton twill and cinch in the back with strong cord lacings.
Renaissance Noblewoman Overbust Corsets with Sleeves
Off-shoulder sleeves give another layer of elegance to these overbust corsets for noblewomen. Perfect for a Renaissance Fair, a Masquerade party, Mardi Gras, a Gothic Soirée, or the Annual Vampire Ball. The sleeves give a lovely feminine touch to these back lace-up boned bustier corsets. The boning keeps the form in front while the back lacings adjust for a perfect nice snug fit. The sleeves can be worn off-the-shoulder or not. The choice is yours.
Gothic Brocade Overbust Back Lace-Up Bustier Corsets with Gathered Satin Sleeves
Elegant lace-covered satin overbust corsets are fit for royalty with their delicate long flared black lace sleeves. You don’t have to limit yourself to one Renaissance costume. They can be worn again and again for a variety of different costumes such as vampires, sorceresses, witches, Gothic, Victorian, or pirates. These lace corsets are also available in white and black.
Women’s Renaissance Brocade Long Puffed Sleeves Overbust Corsets
I love the double puffed sleeves of this overbust corset that can be worn on or off the shoulders. The corset is a beautiful jacquard brocade fabric with a sweetheart neckline. It has the conventional back laces except they tie at the waist making it much easier to get an exact fit for the individual wearing it.
Renaissance Noblewoman Overbust Bustier Corsets with Long Lace Overskirts
From the Renaissance to modern times, this overskirt style has carried on through the centuries. Women did not show their legs during the Middle Ages as it was considered to be scandalous and the work of the devil, therefore, the following lace overskirts should be worn layered over a longer, ankle-length skirt. The underskirts should be made of high-quality satin, velvet, lace, silk, or linen.
Lady’s Purple Embroidered Black Satin-Like Back Lace-Up Corset with Black Lace Over Skirt
I would wear this formal black corset with purple embroidery and lace overskirt to the Royal Court over a full, floor-length, black satin or velvet underskirt, with a black velvet cape or floor length hooded cloak over your shoulders. Dark purple amethyst jewelry and a dark purple amethyst tiara should be worn as the crowning touch to elegantly accessorize the costume. You will enter the masquerade regally making a simple yet very royal statement.
Women’s Renaissance Long Lace Sleeves Overbust Corsets with Lace Overskirts
A 2-piece red overbust corset is combined with a red and black chiffon-type overskirt. The red satin corset is layered with a black lace overlay. The off-shoulder long black lace sleeves are trimmed at the corset top with black ruched ribbon trim. The front closes in the front with metal busk fasteners. The back laces-up with black satin ribbon. It is an elegant 2-piece costume set that will beautifully pair layered over a long full gathered skirt. The set is also available in both black and white.
Wear these leather costume corsets for the Outdoors Woodswoman, Archeress, Lady Marion, Women of the Forests and Glens, Woodland Elves and Woodland Sprites.
Lady’s Natural Leather Dark Elf Side-Lace Underbust Fantasy Corset
The genuine Leather Corset featured above is a fully functional and comfortable corset. It is custom made to your waist size measurements. It will provide exactly what you need to complete that perfect look as an archeress, woodland elf, woman of the forest, groundskeeper, or huntswoman.
A genuine black leather underbust corset vest laces up the front with black leather cording. It does not lace-up the back. The back is formed with 2 back pieces double stitched to 2 side pieces to form a solid vest back. A beautiful leather garment that will withstand time and only get softer with use and proper leather care.
Women’s Medieval Faux Leather Elastic Waist Belt Corsets
All of the cinch waist elastic band corsets featured above and below have decorative lacings in the front. They are fastened with waist-cinching, wide elastic bands that snap closed in the back. These are great for Halloween costumes and perhaps fair costumes, but not for historically correct costume events.
The faux leather elastic waist cincher corsets shown directly above are available in a total of 22 different colors and styles. Some of the colors are available as 2 for 1 sets.
The elastic waist faux leather cincher belts featured directly below are not as wide as they appear to be in the photo. They are only 6-inches wide. This can actually be a plus as they are more comfortable to wear than a wider-width corset. It is also available in a bright scarlet red faux leather.
A selection of brown faux leather corsets from Daisy Corsets. They are excellent accessory additions for women looking for woodsy, outdoor pieces to complete their female Renaissance woodswoman, highlander, huntswoman, archeress and fantasy forest character costumes. I myself prefer genuine leather, but for our vegan friends faux leather is a great substitute.
These corsets are available in both regular and plus sizes. Use the Daisy Corsets size chart featured directly below to get your correct corset size.
Daisy Corsets Size Chart
When ordering Daisy Corsets, use the size chart featured above and not the Amazon size chart. Measure your waist and order a corset 2-inches smaller to get the correct size for a cinched waistline. If you order your actual waistline the corset will be too big.
Leather corset vests were quite common in the Middle Ages and during the Renaissance Era for both noblewomen and peasants. The hides of animals were needed for warmth regardless of the rank of the women. Naturally, noblewomen and royals wore only the highest-quality leather which was often dyed or adorned with fur and jewels. The lower-class women were more prone to wear suede or undyed, natural color leather vests.
These thick padded gilet corset vests are made of suede fabric. The plush fabric almost looks like velvet. They look fabulous when worn over a white medieval blouse with full draping sleeves and a full gathered skirt.
Cut with a square neckline, the faux suede vest will look great with any Renaissance outdoors woodsy character. Pair it with a peasant blouse, skinny pants or suede skirt, and riding boots for an awesome Maid Marian costume. Switch out the bottom with a double-layered full skirt to wear as a shepherdess or a tavern wench. Wear it with brown tights and fairy wings to become a woodland sprite. The costume ideas are endless and I bet you can think of a few good ones yourself!
I hope you have lots and lots of fun at your next costume event wearing one of these Lady Renaissance Corsets, Bodices, and Vests.
Keep in mind, there are only three really important things to remember when searching for the right Lady Renaissance Corsets, Bodices, and Vests to wear with your Renaissance cosplay costumes….
Have Fun, Keep It Frosty, and Enjoy the Hunt!
Before you leave, be sure to check out all of our wonderful Ladies Costume Separates
located on our Ladies Separates Archives Page.
And if you need any Women’s Renaissance Accessories
to accessorize your adult woman Medieval or Renaissance costumes visit the next corresponding links
to see what I am featuring on those pages:
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