Corset Busks Explained: How to Choose the Right Front Closure

One of the most recognizable features of a traditional corset is the metal closure running down the center front.

That's the corset busk.

A busk doesn't just provide a convenient way to put on and remove a corset. It also becomes an important structural component of the finished garment.

What Is a Corset Busk?

A busk is a rigid front closure designed specifically for corsets. They’ve been around since the mid 1800’s.

Instead of requiring the wearer to completely undo the back lacing to get int and out of a corset, a busk allows the front of the corset to open and close – you must loosen the lacing! Remember that when laced tightly the corset is smaller than your body. If you try to open the busk before loosening the laces you will likely blow one of the knobs off the busk and it’s impossible to replace them.

Farthingales offers regular straight busks, wide busks and spoon shaped busks all in multiple sizes, some with black, gold or antique gold colour hardware as well as the standard silver hardware. Shop our busk selection

Choosing the Right Busk Length

The most important consideration is length.

It’s difficult to determine the length of the busk until you have the corset “mock-up” ready to try on. The pattern may tell you that your "size" requires a 13” busk, but maybe you have a short torso and a 13” busk will be too long and result in discomfort when you sit down – poking into you at the bottom of the corset. By sitting in a dining room type hard chair while wearing the corset mock-up you can measure the length of of the center front and determine if you need a shorter busk…or maybe a longer one. Test fitting a mock-up is important for many reasons.

Busks come in lengths from 8" to 17"

Before ordering, check your pattern's fit while sitting.

The Busk Works With Your Boning

The busk shouldn't be viewed as an isolated component.

It works together with the surrounding corset boning to add support to the corset and the body wearing it. So, it serves two functions: get your corset on and off easily and adds support.

Spring steel bones can be positioned on either side of the busk to provide additional support around the center front if needed for fuller bust lines. I used bones on either

That means your material choices should be considered as a complete system:

Pattern → fabric → busk → boning → casing → lacing

A Busk Can Be More Than Functional

A beautiful corset is all about details.

The busk can become part of the visual design for fashion corsets, since there are various colours to choose from.

Think of it as both hardware and design detail.

Don't want to use a Busk? Check out our Book on Front Closures for other options.