Beginner's Guide to Corsets
Why buy a corset?
There are several reasons to buy corsets - they look and feel great, they give excellent support to the larger breasted women among us with back problems and they give that feminine shape to transgender and cross-dressing men with a minimum of fuss.  | … they look and feel great … | |
Corsets can can be used simply as a 'bedroom aid', or they can be incorporated into your lifestyle. They can be used to train you waist, and they can be used as part of a bondage/domination scene.
Many people feel more confident, sexier, more feminine, and most often incredibly sensual when wearing a corset. Good quality, steel boned corsets can be found in the medium price range, however it is worth remembering that being more expensive does not guarantee better quality.
What makes a quality corset?
Corsets are often mixed up with bustiers, which are simply tight fitting tops that may or may not have lacing. Corsets, if they are good quality, are firm, have steel bones, have lacing (not bra hooks as some bustiers do) on the front, back or both, and they can be custom made to suit your personal measurements.
Many corsets have a 'modesty panel', particularly if they are front lacing, which is a segment of fabric to go behind the lacing so as not to show too much skin. Corsets can come with or without shoulder straps - these are purely for looks and do not add or subtract structurally from the corset.
If you are buying a corset online, it is recommended that unless the manufacturer explicitly states that the corsets has steel bones, they are probably plastic bones (much lower quality). Plastic bones are much cheaper but they have several major drawbacks; they bend much more easily than steel, they warp and stay warped, they do not provide the same sort of support, and they allow you to slouch in the corset which is both uncomfortable and bad for you.
Different corset designs
Corsets come in two main variations: over bust and under bust. As the names suggest the over bust style corset come up over the bust and supports the breasts, whereas the under bust is exclusively for waist or tummy definition.
| … the over bust style corset come up over the bust and supports the breasts, whereas the under bust is exclusively for waist or tummy definition. | |
Under bust corsets are sometimes called waist cinchers, and come in two designs, the 'pointy' and the 'Waspie'. In the pointy style the front of the corset comes up to a point between the breasts, and down to a point in front of the hips. This style is usually front lacing. The 'Waspie' style is straight across at the front and at the back, and has the lacing at the back.
Over bust corsets have much more variety, and are more popular. Over bust corsets have three styles at the bust; the straight up and down style, in which the corset simply expands and the breasts are pushed up into the classic 'shelf' look; the molded bust style, in which the bust is completely covered and the corset molds around the breasts to give firmer, but more defined support; and the cup style, often seen in bridal wear, in which the corset is basically a waist cincher with a bra sewn onto the top (think Madonna).
Aside from these differences there are also many different designs based on the historical era from which the corset originated, such as Edwardian and Victorian, and other variations such as the well known Femme Fatale design.
What style of corset you chose is entirely up to you, and should be selected on the basis of the shape you want to create, and whether you want to have your bust inside or outside the corset. I recommend wearing a bra in addition to wearing a waist cincher, as they do not have any bust support. Similarly whether you want straps on your over bust corset should be decided by what look you like the best (as they do not have any functional role).
How to measure yourself for a corset
Most online corset sellers will have a sizing guide but here are some general rules for sizing.
The corset size is based mostly on your natural waist size, and the corset size you select should be 2-6 inches smaller than this, depending on how tight you want to lace the corset.
If the corset has two lacing panels the recommended size is 3-6 inches smaller than your natural waist size. Corsets are also usually made to fit a particular cup size range, e.g. A-C, and you should make sure that the corset size is appropriate for your cup size.
Most suppliers/manufacturers also recommend that you give them measurements such as hip (high and low), bust, back length, side length, and height when ordering a corset to ensure the correct size, however they also do custom corsets.
How to wear a corset
Corsets are most comfortable when they are tight, but not so tight that you have difficulty breathing. It is important that when you first put the corset on you do not lace it too tightly, as the corset will warm to your body, and can then be tightened to a more comfortable position. This is particularly important for leather or PVC corsets, which expand as they get warm.
| Corsets are most comfortable when they are tight, but not so tight that you have difficulty breathing. | |
A corset is supposed to make you sit up straight, and you will no doubt discover with your first wearing that slouching while wearing one is very uncomfortable. It is not recommended that you wear your corset to dinner functions, as I know from personal experience. If you try to eat an entire meal in a corset, you begin to feel full very quickly, and if you try to eat the same amount as you would normally, you can feel quite ill. This is because the corset restricts the amount of expansion your stomach can undergo after eating. Corsets are perfectly comfortable to snack in, and to graze in, but a full three course sit down meal will be difficult to eat. To reiterate, a corset should be laced so that it is supportive, and 'holds you in', but not so tightly that you are uncomfortable, and have difficulty taking large breaths or feel faint. (F) Other Parts |  |