In the latest AskEllyn installment on the topic of flat fashion, our fashion correspondent at large, Anna Robinette (aka the Closet Lady), goes somewhere most women who are flat don’t think they can go — corsets.
Do you need an hourglass figure to wear a corset? The answer is no!
When we think of corsets, many of us picture hourglass silhouettes, curves and a certain type of femininity that’s often equated with having breasts and a small waist. But what if we reimagined corseting – not as a tool to fit into someone else’s ideal, but as a canvas for self-expression, creativity and empowerment for everybody, including those of us who are flat?
As a flat woman, I’ve often encountered the assumption that corseting “isn’t for me.” It is reserved for those who fit a narrow mould of beauty. But fashion is about breaking boundaries, not reinforcing them. Corsets can be playful, sexy and bold, regardless of your shape or whether or not you have breasts.
Corsets and Flat Fashion Opportunities
In this post, I’m excited to share a series of looks that celebrate corseting for flat fashion and flat bodies. These styles aren’t about hiding or compensation — they are about highlighting one’s individuality, confidence, and the sheer fun of experimenting with fashion. Whether it’s layering a structured corset over a crisp shirt, pairing it with wide-leg trousers, or styling it with statement accessories, the possibilities are endless.
Corseting as a flat woman is an act of creative rebellion. It’s a way to rewrite the rules, to show that beauty and sensuality aren’t defined by curves or conformity. It’s about embracing who you are, playing with silhouettes and using fashion as a form of joyful self-expression.
So, whether you are a fellow flat fashionista or simply curious about new ways to style corsets, I invite you to join me in celebrating the freedom to dress for yourself — on your terms.
Corseting can give you that compression that many of us flatties love. Even years into being flat many of us still experience the feeling of compression (also known as iron bra) either occasionally or often. Corsets can give you that while also providing an interesting and fun flat fashion look.
Corseting comes in an endless framework of styles. From your traditional boning corsets (think costumes) or in a softer one-piece fabric style, sans boning. Or, honestly, anywhere in between.
Look for corsets with embellishments to add interest to your look as well as providing an eye-catching detail that draw the eye away from any concavities or bumps that flatties may have or that may trigger self-conscious feelings. Let the corset’s beautiful details be the focus!
Corsets can add a beautiful, cinched-in waist look if that is what you desire to acquire more of a feminine silhouette in that “hourglass” shape look. Trust me when I say, no breasts are required!
Check out ThredUp, Anna (and Ellyn’s) favorite place to thrift beautiful fashion online.
Corsets are so fun to layer over t-shirts, over button-down shirts, or worn alone under overalls, or with a pair of jeans or trousers for a look that is easily dressed up or down. And one of my favorite ways to dress is to use juxtaposition with that feminine and masculine which a corset does so well when paired with a ripped pair of jeans and a beautifully embellished or very bold colored corset. Pair it with your favorite jewelry by using over-the-top jewelry or just subtle classic pieces. Truly, your body is your canvas!
So, have fun with corsets! They are not just for those with breasts!
About Anna Robinett
I’m a long-term lobular breast cancer survivor, 17 years(!) thriving after overcoming breast implant illness and autoimmune challenges. Removing my implants was a turning point—choosing to remain flat despite societal pressures about beauty, femininity, and aging. Now, at 61, I celebrate my body and life without limits, embracing creative self-expression every day.
My platform is about painting your body as a canvas—dressing in what makes you feel fabulous, regardless of age, shape, or trends. I thrift 90% of my wardrobe, championing sustainable fashion and the power of reusing and recycling. Living with chronic conditions, I focus on a healthy, autoimmune-friendly lifestyle to feel my best.
Here, you’ll find inspiration to break free from expectations, wear what you love, and own your confidence—because relevance, beauty, and sensuality have no expiration date or required shape. Join me in redefining what it means to be vibrant, visible, and unapologetically yourself at any age.
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