Thread: Corset Advice Please!

Hey Everyone! :help:

I've been looking at corsets for about 2 years now, wandering in and out shops going "oooooh, purty purty!" but never taking the leap into buying one due to a) funds b) changing body size and c) not having a clue what makes a good corset! :wallbash:

Could anyone tell me what basic things I should be looking for to know I'm getting value for money? Also, can you get them altered? I just worry that if my boobs shrink or grow I'll have to get rid of it!!

any advice much appreciated

xxxxx

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Bizarrely enough I spent yesterday rummaging through ladies undergarments - mainly corsets What I did notice is that cheap corsets tend to look and feel cheap - it certainly seems to be a place where you get what you pay for. A quality corset seems to have metal rather than plastic boning and thick quite stiff material. The other thing to look for is that the bones are sandwiched between two layers of material (inner and outer) rather than inserted into sleeves sewn into a single layer of fabric. By virtue of being lace up they do have some size variability but that is of course limited.

If you have a local high end lingerie shop go in and see if they stock something like Vollers and explore them (look and feel) to see what a good quality corset feels like.

If you are worried that you are an unusual shape then you can always go bespoke - there are several corset makers who frequent the site. The only one I can remember by name at the moment is Madame Le Strange and I haven't seen her for a while but I'm sure other people will be able to supply names

Originally Posted by evildrneil

A quality corset seems to have metal rather than plastic boning and thick quite stiff material.

The man speaks some real sense there! :yes:

My job in our house is chief corset buyer and lacer for Lilly, and the minute you try and use plastic bones is the minute you've got a "corseted top" rather than an actual corset.

Lilly is also a fan of modesty panels. If you're wanting to take a chance on a corset from ebay, if it's listed as metal boned, and has a modesty panel, it'll probably be a pretty good one (cheap ones don't normally bother with these two items). :eyebrows:

Also, look for one that is 2-4 inches larger than your natural waist size, this'll mean it should fit you ok.

Hope this is of some help.....

Originally Posted by Iolair

Also, look for one that is 2-4 inches larger than your natural waist size, this'll mean it should fit you ok.

Do you mean smaller?

Originally Posted by Iolair

Also, look for one that is 2-4 inches larger than your natural waist size, this'll mean it should fit you ok.

ops: Duh!

Originally Posted by December Charm

Do you mean smaller?

What she said.... :eyebrows:

(Thanks December.... :twothumbs: )

lol! thanks guys Thats helped a lot! I'll go have a trawl and see what I can find!!

xxx

Originally Posted by Iolair

Lilly is also a fan of modesty panels.

I can't stand modesty panels. Yes, they do cover the back cleavage, but they're such a faff to get in the right place. Nothing worse in corset terms than seeing a woman in a beautiful corset, only to find her modesty panel doesn't meet at the back

Originally Posted by Fleur du Mal

I can't stand modesty panels. Yes, they do cover the back cleavage, but they're such a faff to get in the right place. Nothing worse in corset terms than seeing a woman in a beautiful corset, only to find her modesty panel doesn't meet at the back

That's why I like removable modesty panels. Also it means you can make sure they're centered in the gap. Though I would say that if the modesty panel doesn't meet at the back then you need a bigger corset!

On the OP's question about altering corsets, I would say that you shouldn't rely on it. Altering a well made corset will be a big pain in the arse and is likely to compromise the fit.

I have to say that I respectfully dispute evildrneil's claim that not having visible boning casings on the inside is an indication of quality. Some good quality corsets have the casings on the inside and some have the bones sandwiched between the layers. The diffence is more about style than inherrent quality. The main thing to concern yourself with on that score is that the bones are well contained in strong, tightly woven fabric so they won't start worming their way out and poking into you. Also, being able to see the "guts" of the corset can good for determining quality as it's always easier to cover up bad sewing with a lining (trust me, I was guilty of it throughout fashion school).

Anyway, sorry, the main thing you want to know about exposed casings vs sandwiched bones is that with the casings you will probably want to wear a liner of some sort (like a tube top) under the corset because the casings may be a bit uncomfortable against your skin. I believe this is why many people here might prefer the bone casings to be hidden, as you don't want to be wearing anything under your corset if you're taking it off onstage. I would recommend a liner in any case unless you are wearing the corset to strip out of, because it will keep your dead skin/oils/sweat off your expensive garment and save you having to clean it so often.

My tips for checking for quality workmanship:

check the binding and make sure that it looks like it's going to stay put/is not stitched too close to the edge of the corset. A common defect seems to be the edge of the fabric fraying and the binding pulling off after a couple of wears, bones poking out, bad times.

check the fabric that covers the bones. Just try to pull the weave apart and see if you can see through the little holes between yarns. Ideally it'll be a really tight weave.

Another thing I'd look at is the lacing eyelets/grommets on the back: make sure they're not the kind that's split on the back (it's hard to describe, but the cheap kind split apart on the back to hold them in, the good ones kinda stretch and fold over and have a washer on the back to hold them in place).
Also there should be boning both sides of the grommets so that the fabric won't bunch up when you lace it. Many grommets is a good thing - shouldn't be spaced much more than an inch apart as more lacing holes makes it easier to control how tight you want it.

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try cyber in glasgow! i bought a steel boned over bust corset on ebay and it reduces my waist but it is about 1-2inches too long for me so it makes sitting down quite uncomfy but the quality of it is really good just a shame im a titch