A Matter of Truss

They may look old-fashioned, but structured underpinnings are the key to a well-fitting dress. Here, corsets that'll make anything from slinky satin to vintage lace stay true to form..

• BY SHYAMA PATEL
  PHOTOGRAPHED BY ANTONIS ACHILLEOS
• Published 2003

1. FOR A SMOOTH OPERATOR: $395 at La Perla. 2. FOR A SEAMLESS EVENT: Le Mystère, $98 at Saks Fifth Avenue and Zitomer. 3. FOR EMBELLISHING THE TRUTH: L'Agent Provocateur, $335 at Henri Bendel.
	OTHER SEASONS Choose a Season Jean Yu Suggests (Summer 2006) Pretty Little Things (Spring 2005) Waiting to Exhale (2004) A Matter of Truss (2003) Silk Routes (2002)