Trying to find a corset

[phoenix1105]

Hello everyone... I am trying to find a corset that I can wear under my regular work clothes. The problem I am running into is that the corsets arent's long enough. I am about 6' and would really like to find a corset that fits me. I want to be able to wear thigh highs with it, and if it has shoulder straps, thats a plus too! I have bought a couple from Frederick's and they just don't fit. Also the little metal eye hook on the back tend to either pop off or not hold the other metal piece. So if anyone has ideas, I'd appreciate them.

 

[emap]

Well first I think you had best try looking someplace besides Fredericks for corsets. What your talking about is an all day wearing corset, Fredericks sells lingerie, the stuff you put on for an hour or three before it's taken off you in whole or part for sex.

Besides what you want are the full tie corsets, no hooks, they tie up in the front and back, or just one side. Do a search for corsets in google or well whatever you use for searches.

 

[phoenix1105]

Thanks for the info on the hooks and ties! I noticed a lot of other sites have zippers. Do the corsets that the zippers break much? I would think a zipper would be just as easy to pull apart as hooks and eyes.

Does anyone have any recommendations about certain sites or manufactures?

Well first I think you had best try looking someplace besides Fredericks for corsets. What your talking about is an all day wearing corset, Fredericks sells lingerie, the stuff you put on for an hour or three before it's taken off you in whole or part for sex.

Besides what you want are the full tie corsets, no hooks, they tie up in the front and back, or just one side. Do a search for corsets in google or well whatever you use for searches.

 

[Jeniinnylons]

Fredericks are sexier though!

I the look of mine

 

[phoenix1105]

You are right, Frederick's are much sexier! I want one that has some actual bonning so I can lace it tighter...

 

[emap]

Zippers should be fine, so long as there is a shoelace thingy up at the top where the zipper ends up when zipped. Same concept as pants, zippers work great so long as there is something to hold it together, otherwise they unzip on you.

Course you have to get one almost precisely the right size for you otherwise splitting is a danger. In that way they are the same as the hook ones, you can't be straining em to much, and alot of bending is bad.

 

[Etoile]

What you're talking about is called tightlacing or waist training. I did it for a while, about 2 years off and on, and 8 months fulltime.

It is absolutely imperative that you get a custom corset if you're going to be wearing it all day. If you get one off the rack, it will not fit you properly, and it will leave you with tremendous back pain and possibly spinal damage.

(When I say off the rack, I'm not talking about Fredericks - I'm talking about a real corset that is made to standard measurements.)

My best suggestion for a bargain-priced fully custom corset is to look for Meschantes on eBay. I have had three Meschantes corsets, one off the rack and two custom, and I was happy with all of them. You can visit their website here to get an idea of their styles, but go search on eBay to get the really good prices. Some of their auctions mention that they are for custom pieces, if it doesn't say that, then it's off the rack.

You may not be financially ready to take the plunge into fully custom; if not, make sure you're buying a GOOD off the rack corset (aka ready to wear), from a reputable maker, and start saving your pennies for a fully custom one for long-term wear. (If money is no object, go to Wasp Creations, she charges a lot but it's well worth it!)

Excellent website for info on this is StayLace, absolutely chock full of information. And Romantasy has tons of picture galleries to look through here and a good FAQ here.

 

[sunandshadow]

If you weren't really wanting to do tight-lacing, for an all-day corset you could go the other direction and wear a corset designed to be wearable as a shirt. I have a denim corset top, a camo green stiff cotton one, and a lycra-blend one. (Two from Lane Bryant, one from Torrid.) two have zippers, one has hooks and eyes. They can all be comfortably worn for several hours (compared to the Fredricks 2-lace corset I have which was killing me after 3 hours.)

 

[Etoile]

If you weren't really wanting to do tight-lacing, for an all-day corset you could go the other direction and wear a corset designed to be wearable as a shirt. I have a denim corset top, a camo green stiff cotton one, and a lycra-blend one. (Two from Lane Bryant, one from Torrid.) two have zippers, one has hooks and eyes. They can all be comfortably worn for several hours (compared to the Fredricks 2-lace corset I have which was killing me after 3 hours.)

Can you find pictures on the web of these? If I understand correctly, corset-style shirts don't have any boning, which means they're not really corsets. But perhaps the ones you have are different?

 

[Safe_Bet]

What you're talking about is called tightlacing or waist training. I did it for a while, about 2 years off and on, and 8 months fulltime.

What's the purpose of doing that???

 

[Noor]

What's the purpose of doing that???

To change your shape? Lose muscle tone in your torso....

sorry, just went to a medical dangers of historically corsets, esp the "safety" corset lecture.
It was very scary, did you know the miscarriage rate in Victorian times was 1 out of 2, much higher to the previous 1 out of 4? Also that certain furniture was specially constructed to accommodate ladies in corsets?

Long ago I had a comfortable corset, custom made, I didn't need it to be corset shaped as I already was, but it was a nice way to hold my breasts up. That was about 20 yrs ago and cost around $250.
You can make your own corset. Laughing Moon has a nice pattern and there is a corset generator on the web some where which I have seen people make corsets from. You need the right materials too.

 

[phoenix1105]

Thanks for all the info! I am not really looking for the tight lacing type, as I am already in enough pain I guess I am shooting for corsets that I can wear around the house and look sexy.

 

[Etoile]

What's the purpose of doing that???

Because you like it! There is a HUGE misconception out there about corsets, when actually they're quite healthy if worn properly. Check out StayLace's medical advice page which answers a lot of health questions; there's more medical-related articles here. A lot of people assume that corsets must be bad, and that's why women stopped wearing them; really it has to do with fashions changing, NOT the evils of corsetry!

I did it because it was fun, I enjoyed the shape, and for help with weight loss. When you're corsetted all the time, you can't eat as much, so it's like a reversible bypass operation! I really enjoyed it and I'd like to do it again, but I'm out of the habit now.

 

[Etoile]

Thanks for all the info! I am not really looking for the tight lacing type, as I am already in enough pain I guess I am shooting for corsets that I can wear around the house and look sexy.

In that case, go for one of Meschante's $99 styles (on eBay). Usually they have the Etoile corset (!) for that price, but I see a couple of other styles on eBay for the same price right now. One is an overbust, which you should not wear under work clothes, it will push up your breasts and be kind of obvious. (Unless that's what you want!) An underbust, including the Etoile style, is sexy at home and ALSO can be worn under your work clothes.

The $99 style won't be custom, but they use the same top-quality construction in their off the rack that they do in their custom. I know because my first Meschantes corset was an off the rack. You won't be sorry with a Meschantes corset, their work is really top-notch! Some people complain about their customer service, but they treat their eBay customers really well, I have always found them friendly and responsive.

PS, if your natural waist is above 35" you will need to order one of their plus sizes which may cost a bit more, but will still be worth it. And I highly recommend you get a front busk, if you pick a style that doesn't come with one, they will add it for $20 or so - makes getting into the corset SO SO SO much easier!

PPS, check out Timeless Trends also, I don't have personal experience with them but I've heard they do quality work.

 

[sunandshadow]

Can you find pictures on the web of these? If I understand correctly, corset-style shirts don't have any boning, which means they're not really corsets. But perhaps the ones you have are different?

Some of them have flexible plastic boning. The denim ones do not need boning because the fabric is so stiff. I guess they aren't really corsets because they don't shape you much and they mostly aren't intended to be undergarmets, but they look like corsets which IMHO is the important thing. They are also great because they are machine washable. Here are some assorted pics of corset shirts:
http://s7d3.scene7.com/is/image/eFashion/BP-KT0173AN_004_front?$BP-ex$http://z.hubpages.com/u/320054_f260.jpg
http://i1.iofferphoto.com/img/item/474/247/86/o_4309_Denim.jpghttp://s7ondemand4.scene7.com/is/image/OttoUK/92C801FRSP?$FMSPD$

This is one of mine, the lycra one from Lane Bryant. it has flexible plastic boning, and the black parts are a velvety fabric.

I don't have pics of me wearing the other two but I can snap some if you particularly want to see them.

 

[Etoile]

Some of them have flexible plastic boning. The denim ones do not need boning because the fabric is so stiff. I guess they aren't really corsets because they don't shape you much and they mostly aren't intended to be undergarmets, but they look like corsets which IMHO is the important thing. Here are some assorted pics of corset shirts:

This is one of mine, the lycra one from Lane Bryant. it has flexible plastic boning, and the black parts are a velvety fabric.
I don't have pics of me wearing the other two but I can snap some if you particularly want to see them.

Ah...yeah, those are nothing like actual corsets. I wouldn't expect any cinching from them at all. I hate to seem like a corset snob, but in the case of plastic boning I think it is safest to be that way because you can really hurt yourself if you wear plastic boning (like Fredericks uses) long term.

I guess it's a matter of whether someone wants the look of a corset, or wants a corset.

 

[kelly0086]

also interested in this thread

thanks Etoile !

 

[sunandshadow]

Ah...yeah, those are nothing like actual corsets. I wouldn't expect any cinching from them at all. I hate to seem like a corset snob, but in the case of plastic boning I think it is safest to be that way because you can really hurt yourself if you wear plastic boning (like Fredericks uses) long term.

I guess it's a matter of whether someone wants the look of a corset, or wants a corset.

Yeah - me, I can't wear actual corsets anymore because I have a liver cyst which gets irritated if any pressure is put on it. So I love the look of a corset, but I can't wear anything that cinches more than a snug layer of fabric. The boning in a corset shirt is strictly to keep it from wrinkling and to provide a little support for the breasts, since most corset shirts are not worn with a bra.