Corset virgin - advice!

[Truant]

Hi,

I'd like to try out corsets and have read heaps on websites and in
newsgroups. There's still a few things I'm curious about and hope you
can help.

1. I'm a 38C...am I better off with an underbust or over bust
(eventual goal is waist reduction)?

2. I have to wear suits to work. I'm worried that the laces will bulk
up my back. Is this a problem, and if so, are there ways around it
clothes-wise(I'm a very private person when clothed)?

3. I'm in Cambridgeshire (England), but all the corset-makers seem to
be further south. Is it good enough to buy one from Axfords or Vollers
or should I get one custom-made?

4. If I go for the underbust style, I can't wear an underwire bra,
right? I'm not a fan of non-underwires (38Cs non-wired aren't
attractive things...). Is wearing a tight-fitting tank top a solution
to this AND the lace-bulk problem (if it's a problem...).

Any thoughts/advice welcome! Thanks :o)

[Mad Mouse Beyond Thunderdome]

Post by Truant
Hi,
I'd like to try out corsets and have read heaps on websites and in
newsgroups. There's still a few things I'm curious about and hope you
can help.

If you haven't been there yet, go look at the FAQ at
http://www.darkgarden.com/

Post by Truant
1. I'm a 38C...am I better off with an underbust or over bust
(eventual goal is waist reduction)?

You can do an underbust, but wear a bra with it (preferably NOT underwire,
as it might pinch). Over the bust will obviously offer more support, but you
may find it too constrictive.

Post by Truant
2. I have to wear suits to work. I'm worried that the laces will bulk
up my back. Is this a problem, and if so, are there ways around it
clothes-wise(I'm a very private person when clothed)?

Spend a few pounds on a decent latch-hook. They make it really easy to pull
the loose ends into the lacing so that you don't have a bulky knot in the
middle of your back.

Post by Truant
3. I'm in Cambridgeshire (England), but all the corset-makers seem to
be further south. Is it good enough to buy one from Axfords or Vollers
or should I get one custom-made?

If you've got the money for it, there's no substitute for custom made.
Customs will ALWAYS feel more comfortable and fit better. However... since
the best way to shrink your waist is to train it over time and NOT MAKE THE
CORSET TOO TIGHT, you'll probably be alright with a ready-to-wear model.

Post by Truant
4. If I go for the underbust style, I can't wear an underwire bra,
right? I'm not a fan of non-underwires (38Cs non-wired aren't
attractive things...). Is wearing a tight-fitting tank top a solution
to this AND the lace-bulk problem (if it's a problem...).

You can wear an underwire bra, but the tighter you wear the corset and the
longer you wear it, the more uncomfortable it can get (even leading to
bruising!). If you can't find a suitable non-underwire bra, you may want to
go to a dance shop or someplace that sells good excersize-wear. You will
often find very supportive tanks that may do the trick.

Post by Truant
Any thoughts/advice welcome! Thanks :o)

When training your waist to go smaller, the best thing to do is to wear a
corset for an hour or two a day, every day, and to not pull it too tightly!
I cannot stress that part enough. Over time your body will grow accustomed
to shrinking down and you'll be able to pull it tighter and tighter. Just
don't force it.

Getting one custom fit will also help in that it will be just the proper
shape for your body. You won't have bits that are hanging over or under, or
pinching uncomfortably.

[Truant]

Hi,

Thanks for all the great advice.

Since my original post, I've done some measurements and ordered my
first corset. Decided to go for an underbust, off-the-shelf one to
test whether I can do this or not before splurging on something really
nice and not peach (good for hiding underneath clothes!).

Still need to get the latch hook - great idea - thanks for that!

:o)

Post by Mad Mouse Beyond Thunderdome

Post by Truant
Hi,
I'd like to try out corsets and have read heaps on websites and in
newsgroups. There's still a few things I'm curious about and hope you
can help.

If you haven't been there yet, go look at the FAQ at
http://www.darkgarden.com/

Post by Truant
1. I'm a 38C...am I better off with an underbust or over bust
(eventual goal is waist reduction)?

You can do an underbust, but wear a bra with it (preferably NOT underwire,
as it might pinch). Over the bust will obviously offer more support, but you
may find it too constrictive.

Post by Truant
2. I have to wear suits to work. I'm worried that the laces will bulk
up my back. Is this a problem, and if so, are there ways around it
clothes-wise(I'm a very private person when clothed)?

Spend a few pounds on a decent latch-hook. They make it really easy to pull
the loose ends into the lacing so that you don't have a bulky knot in the
middle of your back.

Post by Truant
3. I'm in Cambridgeshire (England), but all the corset-makers seem to
be further south. Is it good enough to buy one from Axfords or Vollers
or should I get one custom-made?

If you've got the money for it, there's no substitute for custom made.
Customs will ALWAYS feel more comfortable and fit better. However... since
the best way to shrink your waist is to train it over time and NOT MAKE THE
CORSET TOO TIGHT, you'll probably be alright with a ready-to-wear model.

Post by Truant
4. If I go for the underbust style, I can't wear an underwire bra,
right? I'm not a fan of non-underwires (38Cs non-wired aren't
attractive things...). Is wearing a tight-fitting tank top a solution
to this AND the lace-bulk problem (if it's a problem...).

You can wear an underwire bra, but the tighter you wear the corset and the
longer you wear it, the more uncomfortable it can get (even leading to
bruising!). If you can't find a suitable non-underwire bra, you may want to
go to a dance shop or someplace that sells good excersize-wear. You will
often find very supportive tanks that may do the trick.

Post by Truant
Any thoughts/advice welcome! Thanks :o)

When training your waist to go smaller, the best thing to do is to wear a
corset for an hour or two a day, every day, and to not pull it too tightly!
I cannot stress that part enough. Over time your body will grow accustomed
to shrinking down and you'll be able to pull it tighter and tighter. Just
don't force it.
Getting one custom fit will also help in that it will be just the proper
shape for your body. You won't have bits that are hanging over or under, or
pinching uncomfortably.