Soft Leather Halter Bustier with Plunging Neckline and Front Zipper 5-113

What this piece is

The 5-113 is a women's cropped leather bustier with a halter neckline, a deep V at the centre front and a zipper running the full length of that centre front. It is black throughout, sleeveless, and cut short enough that the hem finishes above the navel and leaves the midriff bare. The shoulders and the upper back are open, and the weight of the piece is carried by a pair of narrow ties that knot behind the neck. It is listed under Allure Lingerie style number 5-113 and sits in our Bustiers range alongside the rest of our leather wear.

How it is put together

This is a panelled garment rather than a single wrapped piece of leather, and the seaming is the reason it holds a shape on the body. At the front, the zipper divides the bodice into two mirrored halves. Each half is built from more than one panel: a shaped upper section follows the curve of the bust, and a vertical seam runs from beneath it down to the hem, bringing the width in at the ribcage before the hem releases straight across. Those seams do the work that darts would do in a woven fabric — leather does not ease or gather the way cloth does, so shape has to be cut and stitched into it.

The front zipper runs from the base of the V down to the hem, with a pull tab sitting at the top of the tape. It is a working zipper, not a decorative strip: it is the way the bodice opens and closes. Because it sits on the centre line, the depth of the neckline is set by where the zipper stops rather than by a separate placket, which is what gives the front its long, narrow V.

The back is a solid panel of leather across the mid-back, with a straight horizontal top edge. There is no yoke and no strapping across the shoulder blades — the panel simply ends and the back above it is bare. A seam runs down the centre of that panel, matching the shaping at the front. From the two top corners of the panel, slim ties rise, cross behind the neck and tie off in a bow, with the loose tails left to hang down the back. The hem across the back sits at the same cropped height as the hem at the front.

Every edge on the piece is finished flat and narrow. There is no lace, no ruffle, no applied trim and no contrast colour anywhere on the garment. The whole effect comes from the cut, the seam lines and the way light moves across the panels.

Product specifications

How to put it on

Open the front zipper fully before you step into or lower the bustier over your head, rather than pulling a closed garment down over the bust. Leather has almost no stretch, so forcing a fastened bodice past the shoulders puts the load on the seams instead of on the zipper, and the zipper is there precisely so the seams do not have to take it.

With the piece sitting where you want it, settle the back panel level across the mid-back first, then draw the two neck ties up, cross them behind the neck and knot them. Tying the neck before closing the front lets you set how high the bodice sits and how deep the V falls, since the ties carry the whole garment. Close the zipper last, working it up slowly and keeping the two front halves aligned so the seams meet evenly at the hem.

To take it off, reverse the order: untie the neck first, then open the zipper. Pulling the ties undone while the front is still fastened drops the weight of the panel onto the zipper teeth.

Looking after leather

Hang this piece rather than folding it. Leather creases along a fold line and those creases are slow to drop out, so a broad hanger or a padded one is better than a drawer. Give it air after wear, away from direct heat — a radiator or a hot car will dry and stiffen the surface.

Wipe marks off with a barely damp cloth and let the piece dry at room temperature. Do not soak it, do not put it in a washing machine, and keep solvents, alcohol-based sprays and perfume off the surface. Fasten the zipper when you store it so the two front halves hang in line, and close the ties loosely rather than knotting them tight for months at a time. Always follow the instructions on the garment's own sewn-in label where they differ from this general guidance.

Who it suits

This is a piece for an adult who wants a structured leather top rather than a soft or sheer one. It reads as outerwear as readily as lingerie: the cropped length and the bare midriff place it with skirts and high-waisted trousers as easily as on its own. If you have liked panelled leather or corset-style tops before, the construction here will be familiar.

On fit, measure rather than guess. Leather does not give, so a bustier in this material sits closer to your actual bust and underbust measurements than a stretch fabric would, and a size that works in jersey may not work here. The neck ties set the height and the hang of the piece, but they do not change its circumference — that comes from the size you choose. Size options for this style are listed on this page; if you are between two, the larger is usually the easier wear in a non-stretch material. You can browse the wider lingerie range if you want to compare cuts before deciding.

Good to know

• For adults 18 and over.
• This is a garment, not a support or medical device, and it is not intended for sleeping in.
• Leather can transfer colour onto very pale fabrics, particularly when new or when worn in heat. Test against a light-coloured item before pairing the two.
• If you have a known sensitivity to leather, dyes or tanning agents, check how your skin reacts to a small area before wearing the piece for an extended period.
• Orders ship in plain, unbranded outer packaging with no product imagery or description on the outside.

Frequently asked questions

How does the 5-113 bustier fasten?

It fastens two ways at once: a zipper runs the full length of the centre front, and narrow ties knot behind the neck. The zipper closes the bodice itself, while the neck ties carry the weight of the garment and set how high it sits. There is no fastening on the back panel — it is a solid piece of leather.

What does the back of this bustier look like?

The back is a solid leather panel sitting across the mid-back, with a straight top edge and a seam down the centre. Above that edge the shoulders and upper back are bare apart from the two ties, which cross and knot behind the neck and leave their tails hanging. There is no strapping or lacing across the shoulder blades.

How long is it — does it cover the waist?

No, it is cropped and finishes above the navel, leaving the midriff bare. The hem runs straight across at the front and sits at the same height at the back. That is why it pairs naturally with a high-waisted skirt or trouser if you would rather not have the midriff on show.

Can I wash this bustier?

No — do not machine wash or soak it. Spot-clean marks with a barely damp cloth, let it dry at room temperature away from heat, and hang it rather than folding it. Follow the sewn-in label on your own garment where its instructions differ from this.

Is it available in more than one size?

Yes, this style is offered in a choice of sizes, selected from the size options on this page. Because leather has no stretch, choose by your bust and underbust measurements rather than by the dress size you usually wear.

How will my order arrive?

It ships in plain, unbranded outer packaging. There is no product name, image or category wording printed on the outside, and the sender line does not describe the contents.

Product information compiled and reviewed by the Gear Isle product team. We transcribe product specifications directly from manufacturer packaging. Found an error? Tell us.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Adult novelty device for adults 18 and over. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before use, especially if you have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.