While ribbon cinchers are not always the best choice for waist training, they are lightweight, fun, and when constructed correctly they can give considerable waist reduction! Some historical sources mention that ribbon cinchers can be used during sleep or while horse riding. Today they can still be used for the same purposes, or worn over clothing as a great statement piece.

Ribbon corsets by custom corsetieres
OTR / RTW ribbon corsets
Ribbon corset patterns and tutorials
Honorable Mentions (archived)

Ribbon Corsets made by Specialist Corsetieres

I am not supposed to play favorites, but Urszula of Emerald Queen Art (Poland) has taken the world by storm with her curvaceous, comfortable and ingenious ribbon corsets. She has cracked the code to creating patterns that weren’t previously considered possible with ribbons – longline corsets with a “hip shelf”, curved ribcage, etc. She also offers corsets in plain satin, strong jacquard ribbon, or even coutil if you’d like a ribbon corset that holds up to daily waist training. I’ve personally purchased two corsets from her, and they won’t be my last.

 

Lace Embrace Atelier (one of the most celebrated corsetieres known for their work in the Hollywood industry and appearing on TV with Cathie Jung) offers two made-to-measure ribbon corset styles: “Mina”, the traditional shorter ribbon cincher; and “Delphine”, shown here, which is a longline ribbon corset with a more complex pattern and construction. A unique pattern in the ribbon corset world, finished with ribbon-covered boning channels, ribbon-bound ruffled garters, and sweet ribbon bows.

Nemuro Corsets is run by independent corsetiere Evgeniya out of Moscow, Russia. They are very prolific, highly active on social media and frequently adding new styles to their website and Etsy shop. They offer an array of different ribbon corsets, with your choice of front busk or zipper, using satin ribbon or elastic, and a wide selection of colors. Here is a highly stealthable elastic ribbon cincher with a low-profile front zip.

Although Innova Corsetry (Puerto Rico, USA) is more well-known for their dapper men’s corset vests and their stunning corset dresses, they can also make a wide range of other styles, like this incredibly curvaceous ribbon corset with meticulously-placed alternating red and black satin ribbons.

Jacqueline Pingarrón (aka Jacq the Rimmel) runs an atelier in Madrid, Spain, where she puts a fun and morbid twist on corsets and statement wear. Her ribbon corset here features a criss-crossing of three different shades of ribbon, at random angles, creating a striking slashed effect. This corset can be made in your choice of 9 different colors.

Rainbow Curve Corsetry (Switzerland) is a bespoke company entirely run by Joni (who also has her own Youtube channel). Joni has a background in textile conservation, and she is well-known for her brightly colored creations (as well as her brightly colored hair). Each one of her designs is completely unique, and most of her works are painstakingly hand-painted or dyed so the final effect perfectly matches her vision.

Ggis Corsets is a Russian brand owned by independent corsetiere Olga. Known more for her stunning intricate beadwork, and corset art, she’s a writer for Foundations Revealed and takes commissions on a limited basis. Here in the “brothers” photo shoot, her 2014 ribbon cinchers demonstrate how an identical pattern can fit differently on two different bodies.

Madame Sher has many gorgeous ribbon-style cinchers to choose from. Most of the styles are not genuine ribbon but rather made from horizontal strips of satin, denim, leather or mesh. Since they can be made from nearly any material, there is incredible room for creativity here. My review of my own Madame Sher’s mesh cincher can be found here.

Do Balakobako (or simply BLKO) Corsets is a one-woman business run by Morena from Brazil. In recent years, she has also opened up a US/International line where her corset samples are sold with free shipping to the US. I am also convinced that Morena is magical, as she’s able to create ribbon and faux-ribbon cinchers out of any fabric imaginable, putting every style to the test herself to ensure strength and durability, as well as keep her prices competitively low (most of her corsets are under $200 USD).

Rose Sathler (rebranded from Black Cat Corsets) is another corsetiere from Brazil, who creates these lovely ornate faux-ribbon cinchers, as well as a skintone line in your choice of 5 different shades to closely match your complexion.

La Sorcière Corsets is another brand from Brazil; here is a sample of theirs from 2015 made from genuine leather. This is another style that has omitted the side seam for more mobility from side to side, allowing the leather to curve naturally over the obliques which can sometimes create a more dramatic silhouette than having structured boning on the sides.

Sara of Wicked Lady Corsets (UK) has made several different types of ribbon corsets, from traditional cinchers made from vintage ribbon, to bedazzled modernized pieces glittering with Swarovski. But the unique pattern of this piece caught my eye as it’s a blend between the turn-of-the-century sweet ribbon belts, and the 19teens Titanic Era corsets that extend low on the hip and hug the body into a more streamlined figure. Sara credits this design on a 1914 pattern featured in Jill Salen’s book, Corsets: Historical Patterns & Techniques.

 

Crimson Lily Atelier (Poland) is owned and operated by Karolina — while she is more well-known for gossamer dressing gowns and mesh corsets, she also offers these ornate cinchers in rich-toned jacquard ribbon.

Jane’s Corsets of Massachusetts USA has quickly become one of my favorite designers to watch, because her samples are often a stunning fusion of historically-inspired and wildly innovative contemporary designs. This sweet floral ribbon cincher ($300 USD) is probably one of her tamer and more traditional pieces, inspired by this 1900 ribbon cincher currently displayed in Bath Museum.

Snowblack Corsets of Poland creates corsets that often have a striking juxtaposition between hard and soft (her jute corsets!), goth and sweet, old and new. In this ribbon cincher she’s used delicate vintage eyelet lace ribbon from her grandmother’s collection backed with strong coutil, to make a one-of-a-kind precious piece. While the ribbon cinchers aren’t always featured in her shop, Marta does accept custom commissions.

Orchid Corsetry also makes strong custom-measured ribbon corsets from double-faced satin ribbon, and can be patterned to give gentle curves (above) or to give almost a wasp-waist effect. Bethan can make these cinchers curved (above) or pointed, multi-tone or single-color, simple or embellished with crystals or other details as you see here, and uses strong coutil at the waistline for additional strength.

 

Sin and Satin from NYC makes some of the most unique and gorgeous ribbon cinchers in standard sizes 18″ – 36″. They’re different in that they have no vertical side panel, which means uninterrupted contouring from front to back. They can be styled to your liking using petersham or satin ribbon (or even adding eyelash lace, seen above right) and they’re cut for devastating curves, boasting 11″ hip spring and 8″ room for the ribs.

Evgenia Lingerie from California, USA makes these lovely ribbon cinchers in red, white or pink, with a laced closed front or full busk as seen here. Made from super strong and gorgeous rayon petersham ribbon, this comes in standard sizes from 22″ – 32″.

While Atelier Sylphe is better known for their historical corset patterns, they also have an Etsy store where they sell ready-to-wear samples and art pieces, including a collection of ribbon cinchers in various sizes and colors. These are made with interwoven bands of wide elastic, which can give a mild waist reduction on their own, or can be worn as a statement belt over another corset. These are available in solid black, silver, and this rose print.

Pop Antique of San Francisco makes some of the curviest ribbon cinchers I’ve ever seen. The corsetiere, Marianne, includes a waist tape on the underside which is almost never seen in other ribbon cinchers; it helps to strengthen the corset where it takes the most tension – at the waistline. These corsets are made from double-faced satin ribbon, which is strong, non-stretch and come in a bevy of colors.

Josette Blanchard is another corsetiere from Brazil who makes ribbon cinchers from a variety of fabrics – traditional ribbon, mesh, or even quasi-ribbon cinchers using a fabric of your choice (which increases the color options significantly!). Here she’s used a purple satin cut into strips to create her own ribbon, which has been finished on the edges.

Ribbon Corsets made by OTR / RTW companies

True Corset surprised the OTR world by being one of the first budget corset brands to offer ribbon cinchers in two different silhouettes – the moderately hourglass “Tempest” and this wasp-waisted “Siren” cincher. These ribbon corsets have no vertical side panel, much like Sin & Satin’s cinchers, so the ribbons can slide along one another and be somewhat adjusted for how high you’d like it to sit over the hip. From just $39 USD, the price is hard to beat.

Vollers Corsets also has a standard sized ribbon cincher called the “Storm” (style number V50) which is available in various shades of petersham ribbon. They also offer leather ribbon (shown above) which is interesting! This corset can also be upgraded made-to-measure for a fee.

Versatile Corsets from Oregon, USA also makes interesting ribbon cinchers in standard sizes or made-to-measure. They specialize in funky PVC ribbon, with almost any satin or brocade you like for the vertical (boned) panels. If you prefer a little less rigidity with the same look, Versatile can also make these cinchers with elastic strapping.

Ms. Martha’s Corset Shoppe offers this “Geometric” ribbon-style cincher in leather and in silk, with several two-tone selections: black/brown, black/red or black/white. These cinchers are standard sized for natural waists 18″ up to 52″. See my review of the Geometric cincher here.

Ribbon Corset Patterns and Tutorials

Corsets by Caroline has close to 80 different corset patterns available in her Etsy shop. Two of these are inspired by ribbon corsets; the first one, Lori (pictured here), is a true ribbon corset, while Bella is a hybrid or faux ribbon corset. Both patterns are available as a digital download in her shop for around $13 USD.

Sin and Satin, the very same New York corsetiere who is featured above for being the first known brand to feature “sideless” ribbon cinchers, also sells patterns in her Etsy shop! This is a pattern for her true ribbon cincher, but she also has a separate pattern for an “accordian” style faux ribbon cincher.

Aranea Black is a huge resource full of completely free corset making patterns and tutorials. She also has a Youtube channel and Twitch where she livestreams and answers your corset making questions!

I tried my own hand at a few ribbon corsets and found them rather fun to make! Although I don’t take commissions for ribbon corsets, I’ve shared some tips and tricks on how these were created. Click the photos below to see my case studies on how I constructed them (and don’t judge me too harshly, these were from a decade ago).

~Honorable Mentions ~

(Archived works from defunct brands and corsetieres)

Mutiny Sideshow (rebranded from Corsetiere of Chicago), had a wide repertoire of work. From sari corsets to plunge mesh overbusts, to sweet cinchers like these, she was one of Florida’s finest (and only) independent corsetieres. You can now catch Heather on Instagram here.

Silvia Aphard Couture is an Italian corsetiere who primarily sold through Etsy. Her gorgeous ribbon corsets were made with wide double-faced satin ribbon and coutil.

Kiran-Lee was another underestimated corsetiere based in London, England. Her ribbon-style corsets were fun and different, like this patchwork design made from recycled fabrics and old saris. Each of Kiran-Lee’s designs were one-of-a-kind.

Axfords Corsets offered an affordable standard-sized ribbon corset (style C210) in white, black or two-tone (seen here). It’s made from Petersham ribbon (also quite strong) with satin vertical panels, and a flap to hide the busk loops. Axfords was one of the oldest surviving corset manufacturers in history, active between the years 1880 to 2019.

*Please note that I have not personally tried every corset brand in this list, nor do I necessarily endorse every company in these guided galleries. This is for informational purposes only. Please contact the individual corsetieres for more information about their ribbon cinchers. Etsy affiliate links help keep this site online and keep the galleries free for everyone.