The Difference Between Waist Trainers And Corsets

The first major difference is in construction — a corset is usually made with steel boning and lacing in the back, while a waist trainer is made with a latex core and hook-and-eye closures in the front. A corset slims the waist with the aid of tightening its laces, while a waist trainer works via compression material. If you've heard both terms used to describe both garments, that's because they're basically interchangeable, but the term "waist trainer" has more to do with the results of regular use.

Corsets are typically made of cotton, satin, or leather, with long, flexible steel rods to structure them. Small steel busks fasten into place on front, while satin laces in the back are used to pull 'em tight so you can see an immediate reduction of 3 to 6 inches in your waistline. Waist trainers, meanwhile, are typically made using nylon, latex, or spandex. These materials provide the compression that typically leads to a reduction of 1 to 3 inches from the waistline over time. This generally means corsets are more durable in the long term.