Let´s Lace! [Corsetry Thread]

So there was discussion of this, here it is.

I´ve been wearing a corset off and on for the last few days and noticed that the pressure actually feels nice which makes me thing it might be doing something similar for me as a weighted vest. Also the firmness a corset gives to the body is very pleasant.

There´s a corset shop in my city and I´m thinking of going there and trying on a mans corset if they have one to see in what ways it would need to be adjusted for me.

 

@littlemissCodeless just thought I'd chime in, it should be possible to get a more neutral-looking shape with a corset, though it might have to be custom-made. I'm actually studying corsets in school atm, so I don't have all the facts, but it turns out in the 1920s (in the US at least) the way women achieved the flapper look was by having some complicated undergarments that made their figures look more "boyish". I can try asking my professor for more resources, though people running an actual shop might know stuff, especially if someone there has some background in historical corsetry.

 

I´ve been reading a fair amount, and as far asIi can tell the actual shape that is achieved is mostly historical and as you said changes. The flapper corsets kind of have the drawback of being mostly underbust, and also ...still too female. Because the thing is, a corset changes the shape pretty drastically in some cases, and I know safe binding is possible. So which not actually natural shape I change my body into shouldn´t signify that much? I don´t intend to use the corset the shape my body semi permanently, just to while the corset is worn.

Also are you studying them as historical sources or as garments? I´m mostly going off info from a lady who wears and makes corsets in the present day.

Edited to add: I´m sorry if that seemed rude, I just have done a fair amount of research and have a tendency to infodump.

Another thing is I don´t have much money, so I´d probably look up patterns for a binder and possibly look up an off the rack modern mens corset (thinking this, not that) to make a kind of hybrid myself.

 

Nah its cool, like I said, all I know right now is what I've been taught so far. It was mostly a statement that it should be possible to get a silhouette that you like as long as the corset is constructed the right way, I think.

I'm studying them in a historical context, as well as constructing a corset myself for another class (I'm a fashion student) so I'm just learning as I go along.

 

If you want look up Lucy´s Corsetry. She´s a modern corset expert, and she makes then for herself at least some of the time. Modern corsets are in many way very different from historical ones. She also talks about how to wear them, which might help you.

 

Ren faires sell corsets? I know they do bodices, but corsets were a bit out of the time period being played there. My partner makes her own bodices, because it's hard to get ones that work for larger girls and last without spending a fortune.

For patterns, she generally does the technique of: Wear junk T-shirt. Have someone assist with wrapping your body with duct tape into the shape you want it to be. Cut T-shirt off down the lacing line (normally at the front for bodices, but whatever you want for the style you're doing). Cut taped T-shirt into panels that are reasonably flat for use as pattern pieces.

Use those to cut pieces out of strong upholstery fabric, adding extra for seam allowance. Generally you'll need matching inside and outside pieces. You'll need boning; she generally uses junk pallet strapping from hardware stores, the cut edges filed and then the whole thing wrapped in tape for rounded edges. Commercially available steel corset boning is most of the time way not strong enough. Once all the pieces are sewn together, a grommeter is used to install lacing grommets.

Something similar can probably be done for corsetry, except that it's a lot harder because the things are undergarments and done out of finer materials. Well, they go over an undershirt, generally.

 

I think for your purposes a plastic boned bodice or fashion corset would do.
They´re softer than real corsets and can´t be tightlaced long term, but for wearing one the first time ever, they´ll be plenty tight. They´re also cheaper. Most goth clothing shops have them, you can tell them from the real corset by feeling them. If they bend easily, they´re plastic. Or ebay, which should list the type of boning. (If they don´t, don´t buy that it´s not going to be a reliable seller.)
Then, if you find you like the look and feel of it you can think about investing in a real corset. Reason I´m saying this is off the rack corsets start at 80 euros, generally closer to 100-150.

 

This is like the entire reason I want one, tbh. Reassuring Snugness is honestly about three-quarters of my [SEXY TMI WITHHELD].

Though I've heard that overbusts are also Better for Supporting big boobs, and I am kind of Naturally Shapeless, so...

Jesus. Stealing the fuck out of this for DIYing. That tip about the boning is especially good; I knew about the duct-tape trick (I use a masking tape+saran wrap variation when I Attempt Sewing) but the boning bit!!!!

If you could get Morven's Partner to make a fuller tutorial I would be in your debt.

NOT QUOTING ANYONE: Okay so you know those steampunky vest-corset things, where the corset is worn over a blouse so that the boobs are in the blouse in a kind of boob window? Usually underbust, with straps over the shoulders? I have no idea if I'm describing this well at all, whatever. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE HELL THOSE THINGS ARE CALLED, I WANT LIKE TEN.

 

I believe they´re corset vests?

Another thing I´d like to note for the tutorial is that how strong or soft you want your boning to be is somewhat personal preference. So commercial steel or spiral steel boning might work fine for some.

Also yes, I´ve heard the same thing about overbusts, which is why I´m thinking about getting one because bras are no longer my friends....or at least don´t come in my size anymore.

 

The site you linked has them listed as "waistcoat corsets." So I don't know if anyone knows. lmfao.

Bras aren't my friends for sensory reasons, namely the way the straps go directly over the shoulder bugs the shit out of me, but they're often not very size friendly either. At last check I was a 42d, aka the VERY top of the range you can get in Normal People Stores.

Aside: Someone please start a corset shop called "I can't believe it's not bustier."

 

Hehe. So the top of my underbust just overlaps my bras underwire and seriously even that is already so much more stable it´s amazing. I have this wierd bra size [29C] where there´s plenty bigger and smaller, but not that. Idk why.

Also, I´ve be wearing my corset few a few hours these past few days and I´ve gotten from 32 natural waist to 30 and a half. (I realize that´s a tiny reduction but I´d rather go too slow than too fast because even a 2inch reduction done "cold" can make me feel woozy and cause pain).

 

In germany they go up my five centimeter increments, I kinda roughly converted to inches. And my bandsize in cm does exist, just not this combination of bandsize and cupsize.

 

I just wanna throw in here I am in love with this thread
that I totally own a bodice thingy that presses my boobs flat like wowza because it's super sturdy and maybe I should try wearing that as a binder at some point because I already have it and don't need to buy anything else maybe?
do underbust corsets plus push up bras generally give the dirndl boob effect or should I look for something else to make my boobs look ridiculous but also kinda sexy? (or are my boobs ust too small, i mean that's also a possibility)
Also does anyone have a reference frame for how tight I should lace a corset and what kinda corset I could use for helping my lower back aches some? also if corsets come in warm/winter type fabrics?

 

For your first question, yes. For me an underbust corset and a normal bra already do this, but I am squishy, so the effect may be different on you. If it it is, overbust corsets usually flatten your bust a little, but there are styles with bra like cups that you could either insert push up cushions into, or wear a pushup under to get the effect you want.
For question two, you should really ask your doctor to check what is causing your back pain. Orthopedic corsets are a thing, so you can ask about those as a treatment option without mentioning the body modification aspect if you feel uncomfortable with that. This lady makes corsets for both medical and body mod purposes, often in combo. So you can refer your doctor to someone like her.

Personally, I was told my back pain is due to bad posture, and wearing a corset does seem to fix that by forcing me into a better one. However, playing doctor for myself means risking only my own health, trying to do it for you would not be ethical for me or anyone else here to do.

 

I know what causes the pain it's a mixture of slightly bad posture and a chronic illness which is why the question with warm fabrics.
I could ask my doc about corsets though that's a good point he'd probably know how much stress I can put my body through hmm...

 

Oh right, missed that one. While most corsets will be posted as made of satin or silk or somesuch, they all have a so called strenght layer of cotton, and I find them to actually be quite warm. As in, too warm to wear in summer even over a very thin top. Brocade corsets are also a thing.