Corset newbie, seeks advice and tips
July 12, 2013 1:13 PM Subscribe
I just bought my first corset, a leather underbust (#305 from Orchard Corset) and would like some best practices from those more experienced! I am planning on learning to lace myself in, but considering that I've only actually gotten it on one time since it arrived, I'm open to ALL suggestions and helpful advice! (That one time is more because I just haven't HAD time to play with it, not because I'm scared or being a total klutz...) I particularly would like to know about what to wear UNDER it. I think I have tops that would look good, but again, knowing what works and what doesn't would be ever so helpful. Fashion pointers gratefully accepted! I am thin, and small framed, and plan to wear my corset in my daily life, and to work. Give me your best shots!!
Best answer: The Golden Rule of Corsets: shoes first.
posted by jesourie at 1:17 PM on July 12, 2013 [9 favorites]
posted by jesourie at 1:17 PM on July 12, 2013 [9 favorites]
I am also a newbie, so I'll be watching this thread.
But I did learn something the first time I wore my corset out: a time when you will be sitting for a long period is not a good first time to wear it. I discovered that my (full, not underbust) corset is about 109213 million times more comfortable standing up than sitting down. I may eventually wear it to a seated occasion again, but I will be practicing first!
posted by snorkmaiden at 1:20 PM on July 12, 2013
But I did learn something the first time I wore my corset out: a time when you will be sitting for a long period is not a good first time to wear it. I discovered that my (full, not underbust) corset is about 109213 million times more comfortable standing up than sitting down. I may eventually wear it to a seated occasion again, but I will be practicing first!
posted by snorkmaiden at 1:20 PM on July 12, 2013
One idea to wear under: take an old pair of fishnets, rip out the crotch and cut off the feet, head goes through the crotch and arms in the legs, over a pretty bra (or nothing if you're feeling bold).
posted by ottereroticist at 1:25 PM on July 12, 2013
posted by ottereroticist at 1:25 PM on July 12, 2013
I wear a tight fitting spaghetti strap tank top of the same color underneath and then shove the straps down so they don't show. I don't remove the straps because it's easier to get it placed correctly with them.
In my experience corsets get easier to put on over time because they mould to your shape some.
posted by small_ruminant at 1:58 PM on July 12, 2013
In my experience corsets get easier to put on over time because they mould to your shape some.
posted by small_ruminant at 1:58 PM on July 12, 2013
Dark Garden has good info on their blog. (Also fantastic corsets if you're ever in the market again.)
posted by gingerbeer at 2:10 PM on July 12, 2013
posted by gingerbeer at 2:10 PM on July 12, 2013
Not very brave, but I wear a plain or frilly white short sleeved shirt under my black & pinstripe under-bust corset, I think that works well with either a pencil or fuller/peplum skirt.
Something like this: http://www.polyvore.com/jean_paul_gaultier_shirt-insert_corset/thing?id=28051804#cs
But mine's kinda more heart-shaped in the bust, which sort of lends itself to the v-neck of an open-ish shirt.
I'm also interested to hear what other people do with theirs, as mine gets nowhere near enough outings!
posted by symphonicknot at 2:36 PM on July 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Something like this: http://www.polyvore.com/jean_paul_gaultier_shirt-insert_corset/thing?id=28051804#cs
But mine's kinda more heart-shaped in the bust, which sort of lends itself to the v-neck of an open-ish shirt.
I'm also interested to hear what other people do with theirs, as mine gets nowhere near enough outings!
posted by symphonicknot at 2:36 PM on July 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Congratulations! Corsets are fun, extremely pleasurable to wear (there is a wonderful feeling about being held in and supported), and downright sexy--if not to anyone else (and screw them) to yourself, and that's what matters.
I used to be paranoid about anyone knowing I was wearing a corset, and would only wear woven shirts (loose enough, tailored) buttondowns over it. Now, I don't care! La la la! Let 'em see my beautiful custom-made corsets.
So, obviously, you can wear them under clothing, or over (or both).
Corsets under clothing
Corsets, especially properly made overbust corsets, tend to give you a more Victorian figure, so you may or may not have insane cleavage, but you'll get a super narrow waist (if tight-lacing), and your organs will be squeezed around such that your stomach will have a slight swell to it.
Pants/skirts: Contemporary clothing silhouettes having nothing to do with this silhouette. If your corset is short enough above the hip, you can wear pants of any kind (knowing that you'll have a belly pooch). If it's way below the hip, or awkward with all your pant waistlines, do what I do, and wear the corset under fifties-style full/circle skirts with narrow waist. Awesome.
Beware of tights. They are so high-waisted that if you wear tights under the corset, and need to pee, well, they are impossible to get back on.
Tops: As for shirts, loose buttondowns/woven shirts, that are tailored somewhat (at least having a defined waist) work very well, and cover the "pooch" if you don't like it.
Corsets over clothing
Pants/skirts: leggings and skater skirts that don't have too much fabric work really well underneath a corset. Skirts are better -- easy to lift when you need to pee.
Tops: Sexiest thing ever and shows off your corset - wear a floofy peasant blouse. Easier if the blouse buttons all the way down the front. You can pull the blouse back, unbutton lots of buttons, and have the neck open very wide, giving an off-the-shoulder look. See in the July 2013 Vogue issue for the photostyling essay of Katy Perry in a red Zac Posen dress, corset-style bodice, over an off-white romantic peasant blouse. Excellent look! Bonus - you can show off your corset this way in more of a high-fashion "updated historical" look, and not look slutty.
posted by ArgyleGargoyle at 3:36 PM on July 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
I used to be paranoid about anyone knowing I was wearing a corset, and would only wear woven shirts (loose enough, tailored) buttondowns over it. Now, I don't care! La la la! Let 'em see my beautiful custom-made corsets.
So, obviously, you can wear them under clothing, or over (or both).
Corsets under clothing
Corsets, especially properly made overbust corsets, tend to give you a more Victorian figure, so you may or may not have insane cleavage, but you'll get a super narrow waist (if tight-lacing), and your organs will be squeezed around such that your stomach will have a slight swell to it.
Pants/skirts: Contemporary clothing silhouettes having nothing to do with this silhouette. If your corset is short enough above the hip, you can wear pants of any kind (knowing that you'll have a belly pooch). If it's way below the hip, or awkward with all your pant waistlines, do what I do, and wear the corset under fifties-style full/circle skirts with narrow waist. Awesome.
Beware of tights. They are so high-waisted that if you wear tights under the corset, and need to pee, well, they are impossible to get back on.
Tops: As for shirts, loose buttondowns/woven shirts, that are tailored somewhat (at least having a defined waist) work very well, and cover the "pooch" if you don't like it.
Corsets over clothing
Pants/skirts: leggings and skater skirts that don't have too much fabric work really well underneath a corset. Skirts are better -- easy to lift when you need to pee.
Tops: Sexiest thing ever and shows off your corset - wear a floofy peasant blouse. Easier if the blouse buttons all the way down the front. You can pull the blouse back, unbutton lots of buttons, and have the neck open very wide, giving an off-the-shoulder look. See in the July 2013 Vogue issue for the photostyling essay of Katy Perry in a red Zac Posen dress, corset-style bodice, over an off-white romantic peasant blouse. Excellent look! Bonus - you can show off your corset this way in more of a high-fashion "updated historical" look, and not look slutty.
posted by ArgyleGargoyle at 3:36 PM on July 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Almost forgot: a few caveats and tips for comfort, from personal experience.
1. Seconding snorkmaiden - sitting can be uncomfortable, especially if tight-lacing.
2. Try to avoid food and carbonated beverages whilst wearing the corset, especially if you aren't used to eating while corseted. Even small amounts of food will distend your stomach and the pressure from the corset on your innards is extremely painful. Carbonated beverages really distend your tummy and you will not be happy.
3. If you tight-lace and start to get short of breath, try not to panic and claw at the corset. Calmly untie and loosen the stays, and then unhook the busk, as needlegrrl said. Remember you really need to loosen the stays a lot to remove the pressure on the busk before undoing the busk.
4. Once you get used to this corset, I highly recommend getting a corset custom made for your body. It's a world of difference. Expensive, sure, but worth it. And they last a long time. I dislike Dark Garden; I think they purvey a cheesy, trashy, product. Recommended is Jill's Corsets on Etsy. Although she doesn't have anything in the shop right now, just contact her. I have an overbust corset from her and it is wonderful. Extremely well-made and with the fabric that I want.
posted by ArgyleGargoyle at 3:45 PM on July 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
1. Seconding snorkmaiden - sitting can be uncomfortable, especially if tight-lacing.
2. Try to avoid food and carbonated beverages whilst wearing the corset, especially if you aren't used to eating while corseted. Even small amounts of food will distend your stomach and the pressure from the corset on your innards is extremely painful. Carbonated beverages really distend your tummy and you will not be happy.
3. If you tight-lace and start to get short of breath, try not to panic and claw at the corset. Calmly untie and loosen the stays, and then unhook the busk, as needlegrrl said. Remember you really need to loosen the stays a lot to remove the pressure on the busk before undoing the busk.
4. Once you get used to this corset, I highly recommend getting a corset custom made for your body. It's a world of difference. Expensive, sure, but worth it. And they last a long time. I dislike Dark Garden; I think they purvey a cheesy, trashy, product. Recommended is Jill's Corsets on Etsy. Although she doesn't have anything in the shop right now, just contact her. I have an overbust corset from her and it is wonderful. Extremely well-made and with the fabric that I want.
posted by ArgyleGargoyle at 3:45 PM on July 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Long time corset wearer. There's usually a breaking in period for store-bought corsets--for you and the corset. I'd recommend wearing it around the house for an hour or so, lacing so it's hugging you but not squeezing you, and then build up from that until your corset conforms to your shape and your body gets used to breathing, standing, sitting, moving in a corset.
Did your corset come with lacing instructions? If not:
1. Before you put it on, get the laces loose. I pull at the laces randomly in the center, and then pull on both ends of the corset body to evenly distribute lace slack (makes loosening laces go much quicker). Just make sure that you have two long loops at the waist point for tightening.
2. Wrap the corset around your waist. Secure the bottom hook first. You should be able to then almost zipper the rest of the hooks from bottom to top. If not, take off the corset and loosen it.
3. Take your waist lace loops and cross them behind your back and pull, tightening your corset.
4. Hold your waist loops tight with one hand. With the other, tighten the laces from the top of the corset down to the waist loops. Pull waist loops tight again.
5. Repeat step 4 working from bottom laces up.
6. Give waist loops one last pull until corset is at your comfort level. If you're wearing if under clothes, you can tie it off in front. Over clothes, you'll need to practice tying bows behind your back.
I ordered a corset from Lace Embrace once, and I believe she had resources for corset newbies. Her corsets are exquisite. Looks like her gallery has a video on lacing that I can't seem to link to right now.
Have fun!
posted by Tall Telephone Pea at 6:18 AM on July 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
Did your corset come with lacing instructions? If not:
1. Before you put it on, get the laces loose. I pull at the laces randomly in the center, and then pull on both ends of the corset body to evenly distribute lace slack (makes loosening laces go much quicker). Just make sure that you have two long loops at the waist point for tightening.
2. Wrap the corset around your waist. Secure the bottom hook first. You should be able to then almost zipper the rest of the hooks from bottom to top. If not, take off the corset and loosen it.
3. Take your waist lace loops and cross them behind your back and pull, tightening your corset.
4. Hold your waist loops tight with one hand. With the other, tighten the laces from the top of the corset down to the waist loops. Pull waist loops tight again.
5. Repeat step 4 working from bottom laces up.
6. Give waist loops one last pull until corset is at your comfort level. If you're wearing if under clothes, you can tie it off in front. Over clothes, you'll need to practice tying bows behind your back.
I ordered a corset from Lace Embrace once, and I believe she had resources for corset newbies. Her corsets are exquisite. Looks like her gallery has a video on lacing that I can't seem to link to right now.
Have fun!
posted by Tall Telephone Pea at 6:18 AM on July 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Corset nut here. You can eat and drink if you like. Just small amounts, frequently. If it's laced so tightly you literally cannot eat, you're not doing yourself or the corset any favours. And really, women used to be in their corsets all day. Do you really think they went all day without so much as a drop?
Onwards to fashion. As for tops, it'll depend on what sort of a look you're after. If you're going corporate in it, then button up shirts of all kinds look great. Pinstripes will really accentuate it and give you an authoritarian air. Floofy shirts mentioned up thread are a more carefree option.
Bold colours work well with leather too - so deep scarlets, emeralds, that sort of thing. A shirt with a bit of volume will accentuate your new, tinier waist as well, by ballooning about your upper torso a bit. I also like to wear my underbusts with super frilly numbers in contrasting colours but that may be something to reserve for outside the workplace.
Always have something between yourself and the corset, to protect it from your sweat and skin oils. A plain cotton chemise is perfect if you're going to wear it under another shirt. It'll prolong the life of the corset and stop it getting stinky. Remember, you can't really wash these guys, especially not leather ones.
A great bra is going to be your best friend when worn with an underbust. A bra that doesn't support you will make your boobs look weird in a corset. Trust me on this one.
As for bottoms it again will depend on what you're looking to achieve. Relatively close cut trousers will give you a sharp, tailored look with a corset, as will pencil skirts and other closely cut skirts. Black is always good, and I also like pinstripes here too - just not if you're wearing a pinstripe shirt. Too matchy-matchy. Skirts that are too long will seem overly formal, a bit like evening wear, as will anything flowing and full.
Some more pragmatic tips:
Yeah, break that puppy in at home. Start off loosely lacing yourself in, and then gradually tighten it over the course of the evening. Ideally you'd do this two or three times. Over time it'll shape to your body and become even more comfortable.
Always lace your corset from the middle, as as others have mentioned loosen it to take it off. It'll prevent any damage to the boning or busk.
Don't forget to treat the leather like leather. Waterproofing and conditioning is just as important for a corset as it is for any other leather item, like a bag or shoes.
Be aware of any discomfort. It shouldn't hurt. If you have abdominal cramping, or bruising on your hipbones or ribs afterwards, the cut of the corset may not suit your body type. Off the rack corsets can sometimes be touch and go on the fit front. I've been wearing corsets of all types for years now and still from time to time wind up with an off the rack that doesn't quite fit right and is uncomfortable no matter what I do. It's no different to an uncomfortable pair of shoes - not your fault, and nothing to be done for it. Just ditch it (return or sell on) and move on with life.
Best bit of advice though is just play dressups with it. You don't have to lace yourself in to get an idea of what matches. Just go through your wardrobe and play. You'll be suprised what looks good with a corset!
posted by Jilder at 10:41 PM on July 14, 2013
Onwards to fashion. As for tops, it'll depend on what sort of a look you're after. If you're going corporate in it, then button up shirts of all kinds look great. Pinstripes will really accentuate it and give you an authoritarian air. Floofy shirts mentioned up thread are a more carefree option.
Bold colours work well with leather too - so deep scarlets, emeralds, that sort of thing. A shirt with a bit of volume will accentuate your new, tinier waist as well, by ballooning about your upper torso a bit. I also like to wear my underbusts with super frilly numbers in contrasting colours but that may be something to reserve for outside the workplace.
Always have something between yourself and the corset, to protect it from your sweat and skin oils. A plain cotton chemise is perfect if you're going to wear it under another shirt. It'll prolong the life of the corset and stop it getting stinky. Remember, you can't really wash these guys, especially not leather ones.
A great bra is going to be your best friend when worn with an underbust. A bra that doesn't support you will make your boobs look weird in a corset. Trust me on this one.
As for bottoms it again will depend on what you're looking to achieve. Relatively close cut trousers will give you a sharp, tailored look with a corset, as will pencil skirts and other closely cut skirts. Black is always good, and I also like pinstripes here too - just not if you're wearing a pinstripe shirt. Too matchy-matchy. Skirts that are too long will seem overly formal, a bit like evening wear, as will anything flowing and full.
Some more pragmatic tips:
Yeah, break that puppy in at home. Start off loosely lacing yourself in, and then gradually tighten it over the course of the evening. Ideally you'd do this two or three times. Over time it'll shape to your body and become even more comfortable.
Always lace your corset from the middle, as as others have mentioned loosen it to take it off. It'll prevent any damage to the boning or busk.
Don't forget to treat the leather like leather. Waterproofing and conditioning is just as important for a corset as it is for any other leather item, like a bag or shoes.
Be aware of any discomfort. It shouldn't hurt. If you have abdominal cramping, or bruising on your hipbones or ribs afterwards, the cut of the corset may not suit your body type. Off the rack corsets can sometimes be touch and go on the fit front. I've been wearing corsets of all types for years now and still from time to time wind up with an off the rack that doesn't quite fit right and is uncomfortable no matter what I do. It's no different to an uncomfortable pair of shoes - not your fault, and nothing to be done for it. Just ditch it (return or sell on) and move on with life.
Best bit of advice though is just play dressups with it. You don't have to lace yourself in to get an idea of what matches. Just go through your wardrobe and play. You'll be suprised what looks good with a corset!
posted by Jilder at 10:41 PM on July 14, 2013
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I find that camisoles or tank tops can work okay under a waist cincher/underbust, depending on the outfit. Plus, that way you have something under it that will protect it from sweat/oils.
posted by needlegrrl at 1:17 PM on July 12, 2013