Tag Archives: burlesque

Here at True Corset we are rather fond of Manchester. Not only because it has an alternative scene that embraces all forms of sexuality and celebrates individuality. It was also once the home of our very beloved shop. Any visitor to Affleck's Palace will understand how exciting it was to have a shop there. We were lucky to take the place that was once occupied by the renowned Vintage to Fetish and we had an absolute ball.

Affleck's Palace is home to some wonderfully eclectic stalls

Affleck's Palace was founded in 1981 by James and Elaine Walsh, for over three decades this beautifully eclectic maze of eccentric produce has simply flourished. Often compared to London's Camden, this indoor market is a must visit destination for anyone with a love of alternative, vintage, fetish, gothic or cosplay fashion. World renowned labels such as Red or Dead and Pop Boutique started out at Affleck's and this devotion to fresh ideas and creativity is still as strong as ever. The exterior of the market is adorned with mosaics of famous Mancunian faces from football players to musicians and Coronation Street regulars.

The renowned Affleck's Palace mosaics

Affleck's Palace is a wonderful place to work and our products fitted in beautifully. Affleck's Palace is brimming with alternative wear from unique club clothing in shades of neon to quality fetish fashion that is hard to find elsewhere, new designers exhibit their latest clothing lines and fresh outlets offer a host of interesting and often bespoke vintage items. From surf chic to burlesque there is something for everyone, as long as you love to express yourself through your unique sense of style. Accessories, henna tattoos and piercings are all available and the choice is breathtaking. It's not just clothing though, you can pick up vinyl records, wall art and even grab a bite to eat. Just don't expect anything you come across to be ordinary or conventional.

Affleck's Palace is a sort of independent department store offering the most eclectic and at times, rather macabre shopping options. It's great for quirky gifts and for finding things to inject a little intrigue into your wardrobe. Aside from all that it is also just a really vibrant and intriguing place to hang out, mooch about, get inspired and maybe even discover some like-minded people.

You'll find some beautiful alternative types just hanging out there

It's a fantastic place to find fetish wear too

We loved having a store there, especially as we got to meet so many fascinating customers. It is wonderful to see how different people interpret a corset. A simple black satin corset could be worn with an elegant skirt for a dinner date or teamed with sheer suspenders for a naughty night in, it could be dressed up for a sexy cosplay look or paired with a jaunty top hat for steampunk attire. Actually getting to converse with our customers and uncover their creativity was a real gift and is something we miss now that we are online, which is why we are always keen to deal with customer enquiries nowadays.

Strawberry Peach was another well-known corset shop that was there while we were and we often shared the same customers. Every corset outlet has their own unique style and so we would often find customers drifting across to us when a certain slinky number caught their eye.

People come from far and wide to customize their homes and their wardrobes with wares found at Affleck's. It's situated in the Northern Quarter of Manchester where there are also a cluster of delightful cafés that offer homemade cake. The Northern Quarter is brimming with creativity and personality. People who work in music, design and art often frequent the area. As well as Affleck's Palace it is also the home of some sensational curry houses, a plethora of vintage shops and a great many vinyl stores. If you haven't been before, it is worth spending some serious time in Manchester's Northern Quarter (and likely some serious money). If you like your shops independent and full of charm, then you will fall in love with the Northern Quarter, specifically Affleck's Palace.

The Northern Quarter is brimming with art and creativity

As well as quirky shops in the same vein as True Corset, Strawberry Peach and Vintage to Fetish the Northern Quarter is also home to some of the most affordable and delicious meals in Manchester. You could easily spend a day just soaking up the atmosphere and people-watching in Manchester's Northern Quarter.

Manchester's Northern Quarter is a vibrant and exciting place to visit

If you are looking for something different and a place to shine, then Affleck's Palace is the cream of Manchester's alternative scene. We know that our customers love things that are unique and beautiful, which is why we had to share our love of Affleck's Palace with you all.

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For as long as I can remember the fashion for bras has been focused around a full and rounded shape with plenty of uplift. Underwiring, padding and keeping your breasts hoisted high has been the order of the day since I got my first training bra. In the 1970s (and earlier) a pointier silhouette was favoured, rather than strapping their breasts up to their sternum women would favour a bra that placed them at the top of the ribcage. It's only us retro and vintage aficionados who have always known the appeal of a pointier cup, in our beloved bullet bras and vintage lingerie. However, things are set to change. A pointier breast is soon to become widely spread, and is already rather in vogue. In fact, anyone with any style know-how has already ditched the full padded rounded bras that we should have left in the 90s and is falling firmly in love with balconettes, bullet bras and bralettes. In fact, anything with minimal padding is the coveted look.

From the brand new Court Royal range at True Corset. The Marlene Bullet Bra and Coco Garter, both in black.

A touch of youth

It is argued that young women have long favoured a more rounded cup as it adds a touch of maturity, while older women feel they are losing a little uplift and fullness and so also tend to opt for something with padding and a bit of lift. However, when you think about it, younger breasts tend to be more conical. A well-padded rounded bosom can often look a little matronly! Opting for a more natural look or even enhancing the conical aspect, could give a much more youthful and beguiling effect.

A pointier breast shape looks more youthful

Enter the bullet bra

Women who love corsetry, burlesque and the seduction associated with lingerie are rarely drawn to overtly natural styles. However, the natural conical shape of the breast when exaggerated and enhanced with a little theatre is the concept behind the bullet bra. This 1950s style offers a great silhouette and is dripping in sex appeal, whether worn as bedroom apparel or underneath your clothes. To make the most of the slinky silhouette you might like to wear your bullet bra with a waist cincher to really emphasize your curves. For steamy nights in then a seductive matching garter belt is a hot choice.

The brand new True Corset Rosa Garter Belt in black from the Court Royal collection

A more sensual shape

There is a softness to a rounded cup that is almost apologetic. The pointed shape has a haughty tilt to it, unapologetically feminine and with a coquettish focus on the nipple. With the whole 'free the nipple' movement and a strong message across the board that it is the female nipple that exudes sexuality rather than the breast itself, it makes sense to pull the attention down to the peak of the breast if you are looking to enhance your sensuality.

Audrey Tautou is the ultimate French beauty with an appealing and natural silhouette

Doing it French style

In France, women never lost sight of the appeal of a pointier breast and have long worn their bras with a more natural and conical shape. French women are vigilant about avoiding back fat, so keep their back straps loose and often opt for bras without padding. French bras will tend to have wider back straps to avoid the issue of potential back fat bulges, very much in the style of a bullet bra. Many French women will even omit a bra altogether.

The Marilyn Bullet Bra in black from True Corset

The appeal of a bullet bra

Vintage lovers will only need to catch a glimpse of a sexy satin bullet bra before they start thinking about the iconic curves of Marilyn Monroe. Her voluptuous curves were unforgettable, yet the shape of the breasts was certainly more conical than round. The bullet bra doesn't just create an enviable silhouette that whispers of vintage sophistication and a deep-rooted sensuality. The bullet bra is also immensely comfortable as it provides a great deal of support, it covers the whole breast which means there are no unsightly bulges creeping over the top of the cup, the wide back strap eliminates any hint of back fat and the meticulous design and structure means your posture is immediately improved, no-one can slouch in a bullet bra they are far too uplifting for that!

To really show off your new pointy breast shape then slip a clingy sweater over the top and make like Marilyn.

Marilyn is the perfect example of the appeal of a more conical bra shape

As the trend for a more conical and natural breast shape grows, we want to lead the way with a far more dramatic, theatrical and show stopping interpretation. Vintage lovers don't follow fashion fads, we lead the way and when it comes to bullet bras it's the breasts that are at the front of the game.