FAQs of Corsets and Corseting
Photo: Corset Anatomy
1) What is a corset?
Corsets are made from a flexible and robust fabric (leather/ satin/ cotton) which is reinforced with steel boning (flexible steel rods) to give the corset great strengthen for tightening in your waist and highlights your hips and burst curve. Normally the corsets are secured by fastening the front busk (a piece of corset hardware consisting of two steel stays, and one with metal loops) and then lacing up the back. A corset is designed to fit around your abdomen and can be either an “underbust” or an “overbust.” Corset can be under your clothes and can be worn over your clothes; it depends on your style. Corset has a variety of style included less or more extreme curves, and fit of different body types.
2) Should you wear a corset?
Some women wear them to attend weddings or an event, and some for waist training as well as some for back support. There have many reasons to persuade you to wear a steel boned corset but depending situation.
3) Is wearing a corset unhealthy or dangerous?
It is not dangerous to wear a corset as long as you use what we call “safe and sane” corseting practices. In fact, wearing corsets can helpful for correcting posture and controlling back pain especially very helpful for those sitting for long periods at work.
Note: Wearing a corset won’t causing you pain, take it off if will.
4) How does a corset work?
Wearing a high-quality corset might bring you instant “hourglass” transformation to your body. Besides, dedicated “waist trainers” able to obtain semi-permanent results over time by moving the floating ribs, and wearing the corset will make your organs temporarily shifting. Also, wearing corset can make you eat smaller quantities to reach the weight loss result.
5) What is waist training?
Read this whole section on waist training.
Example: How corset create hourglass shape.
6) Why is steel boning important?
The steel boning is necessary for tightening of the waist. A corset that is using a cheap plastic boning or without steel boning is considered not a corset, it easy burst at the seams and not helps for waist train.
7) Flat Steel Boning and Spiral Steel Boning
Corsets are included both spiral and flat boning to allow for movement. Flat steel bones can found at the lacing bones and front busk; it was able to move forth and back slightly. Spiral steel bones are found throughout the body of the corset; wearer can moderately bend and twist, as well as can be moved in multiple directions.
8) What results should you expect?
There have many factors involved due to unique body type. It depends and let the image “before and after corset” below will answer to you.
Example: Corset before and after.
9) What is the difference between a bustier and corset?
Corsets tighten your waist while bustier “lifts” your breasts.
Different between bustier and corset.
10) What is the difference between a corset and a waist trainer?
Different between corset and waist trainer.
A corset is made of cotton, leather or mesh, and satin, as well as uses steel boning to shape your waist. A waist trainer (cincher) is a kind of shape wear made of latex which uses the elasticity’s material to “cinch” in your waist. “Waist trainer” is more like few sizes fit all; whereas corsets are need a specific to size correctly.
A waist cincher (trainer) is designed to fit under your clothes. It’s able to create a smoother and more flattering figure under clothing and show temporary hourglass body figure. A steel boning corset is required if you want to real effective waist training.
11) What is different between underbust and overbust?
Under-bust and Over-bust Corset.
Underbust corsets fit right underneath the breasts, whereas overbust corsets can be wearing under clothes without wearing a bra or underbust corset.
12) What size should you buy?
It is a common question but important. Steel boning corsets are sized mainly using your waist, so measure it in inches. Follow the guideline below might help you easily understand:
- Choose 4-7 inches smaller than your natural waist if your natural waist under about 38″.
- Choose 7-10 inches smaller than your natural waist if your natural waist over about 38″.
13) What kind of fabric should you choose?
The fabric of cotton, satin, leather, mesh or brocade is very high-strength materials, but do have pros and cons.
Satin– We suggests you choose satin if you plan to wear your corset under your clothes.
Mesh– A breathable and lightweight material that recommend wearing over or under clothing. It gives a great silhouette due to there is so little bulk to the corset. Highly recommend wearing mesh material corset during the hot summer months because of it breathable.
Cotton– Wearing cotton corset feel comfort but the thicker fabric makes you a little troublesome when you are wearing under clothes.
Brocade– This fabric is feeling comfortable and gorgeous as well as looks more elegant than a plain fabric.
Leather– It’s a material that’s comfortable almost immediately instead of stiff. Recommend wearing it over your clothing and avoid wearing leather corsets to workout due to leather is a natural skin will stretch out slightly over time.
14) What is the best way to fasten a corset?
The best fasten a corset is a front split steel busk which meant one side has the hooks (loops), and nobs (pins) on another side. You can see these straight down the front of corsets.
15) How do you lace a corset?
Watch this demonstration video showing how to lace a corset.
16) Should you wear under your clothes or over your clothes?
It depends on personal preference. Wear the corset (suggest a satin or mesh corset) under clothes if you want the hourglass shape. Otherwise, wear the corset over your clothes as fashion tops.
17) Should you get one custom made?
Custom made a corset considered costly. We recommend trying an off-the-rack (OTR) quality corset first before deciding to customize. When you get in serious waist training regimen, then you need a custom-made corset.
18) How do you clean a corset?
Do not machine wash your corset, spot clean with a mild detergent and allow to dry. Otherwise, hand over your corset to an experienced dry cleaner.