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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.

The corset craze has been gaining momentum for a couple of years now (what with the revival of burlesque, pin-up and all things vintage), and things really kicked into high gear around January 30th, when Kim Kardashian posted a photo of herself on Instagram wearing her “corset” at the gym in an effort to slim down her already enviable waist. Now, after baby number three, Kourtney Kardashian has vowed to follow suit and is determined to regain the waist she once had.

But, can we please address the fact that these aren’t corsets? They are rubber girdles, or “fajas”, intended specifically for wear at the gym to help increase perspiration.

My issue isn’t at all with anyone, celebrity or otherwise, working on ways to better themselves, improve their lives or get healthy; not at all. My issue is that fact that with corsets becoming as popular as they have and continuing to grow in popularity, our knowledge of what exactly a corset is should grow as well.

Think about it: the article is talking about working out in said “corset”. For someone who doesn’t know the difference between a faja (what Kim and Kourtney Kardashian are wearing in their photos) and a waist trainer, they may go off and purchase a waist trainer and wear it to the gym without having consulted anyone about it: not their physician, not a trained/licensed physical trainer! This is a very scary idea as one could potentially cause injury to themselves if wearing a steel boned corset or waist trainer during strenuous exercise.

Also, these fajas not only have zero steel bones and zero lacing, they tend to be made of rubber or a highly elasticized textile, in an effort to make you sweat more and as a result possibly lose weight. A real waist trainer is not designed to make you sweat. A real corset is made with steel bones. Any steel boned corset should not be used while working out unless your doctor or trainer has told you differently!

And a benefit of the waist trainer vs. the faja? Waist trainers can be worn all day everyday whereas a faja is intended more so for wear at the gym and some of us haven’t got the time in our busy schedules to visit the gym 5 to 6 days per week. As I mentioned before, the revival of burlesque, pin-up and vintage culture have brought back to the forefront a garment so flattering, so versatile and so very sexy.

So yes: for some of us a steel boned corset or waist trainer may not be our preferred choice when it comes to whittling the waist. Some of us may very well indeed prefer a rubber or elasticized girdle, and that is perfectly fine. But please: let’s stop talking about the two things as if they were one and the same, shall we? Just like pantyhose are not stockings, girdles are not waist trainers.

Happy lacing!