by Sarah Cristobal (Subscribe to Sarah Cristobal's posts), Posted Dec 11th 2009
at 11:00AM

Rihanna recently rocked a corset top. Photo: Getty Images/Ray Tamarra

Corsets can be your best friend or worst enemy depending on your personal style preference. After all, a tight waist-cincher can help to have a slimming effect during the season of holiday festivities (especially after mass eggnog
consumption). On the other hand, who wants to be sucked up into a boned corset or a vacuum-sealed corset dress while you're trying to relax?

Wherever you stand on this style issue, one thing is for sure. Corsets have a capacity to accent a woman's most enviable assets, but if you're overly busty perhaps this is not the best look for you. However now there are versions of this Victorian-era garment that over a little coverage (like the Topshop version seen here).

Our recommendation: if you're going to be bold and go with a sleeveless corset, then be sure to carry a nice cardigan with you in case it gets cold or you want to cover up. (Or, in the most extreme case, you're starting to feel a little over exposed and need a security blanket!)

From D&G to Topshop to Charlotte Russe, here are some of the most au courant styles that are currently on the market:

The envelope-pushing pop star — typically seen performing in little more than her knickers — is being credited with helping boost sales of corsets and other luxury lingerie items, WWD reports.

Lady Gaga and Rihanna (also known for her racy on-stage wear), are inspiring British women to jump on the underwear-as-outerwear bandwagon in huge numbers, according to the paper.

(See? We told you corsets were this season’s holiday party must.)

In the case of British department store Selfridges, the influence has led to a 70 percent increase in corset sales at its Oxford Street store last month, the source reports.

“The trend of underwear worn as outerwear is more popular than ever with customers investing more in fashion that adds a touch of spice to everyday life,” Helen Attwood, Selfridges’ head lingerie buyer, told the source.

The store also reports a 60 percent increase in Spanx sales, a 90 percent increase in sales of Bordelle’s Angela Cage bandage slip, $596, following Rihanna’s American Music Awards performance in a similar get-up and a sellout of a feathered Bordelle girdle worth $1,470 within 24 hours, the source reports.

Myla, the British lingerie brand, reportedly moved its Christmas corset launch two weeks early to capitalize on the seductive trend.

Way to put the “ho ho ho” back in the holiday, gals.

We love a sexy corset, but let’s just hope that Gaga’s style influence stops there. The last thing we need is more latex.

(Isn’t that right, Bobby Trendy?)

Meanwhile, these starlets are known for flashing their garters.