Corsetry questions

[badseed1980]

So, I am thinking about buying a new corset at some point in the not-too-distant future. I am pondering whether or not I want to stay with the same basic style I have now, or try something different. I know there are those on my flist who are much more knowledgeable than I am about them, so I come to you all with some points of discussion and questions.

First of all, my measurements and body type. Bust: about 39" (I wear a 36DD bra on the middle hook). Natural waist: about 27". Hips: about 36". I am fairly squishy. I have an average torso length, with my waist neither higher nor lower than your average waist. I am, alas, broader at the thighs than at the hips.

The corset I have now is a 24" classic Victorian overbust from Fallen Angel Fashions, and it is lovely, but I've been told that with that corset, a 4" waist reduction is desirable in general, and it is now only 3.

1. Overbust. That's not a question. It's necessary. But how much coverage do I need? Is the Victorian Sweetheart from FAF good?


Or do I need more? It's hard to tell if this has more coverage or is about the same (ignore the front lacing):


2. Waist size. In general, for your average overbust curve-enhancing corset, is 4" less than the natural waist a good size? When I wear a corset, I tend to wear it for many hours, but for only one day, and those days are infrequent. And what kind of a RANGE is good? For example, is my 24", with a 3" reduction from my natural waist, too big? Or still a good fit? How big is too big, in this general style? How small is too small?

3. Length and hip line. This, I see less about in the "how to choose the right corset shape" articles online. I've seen various types. In addition to the medium length curved or pointed type in the two images I already showed, there's also longer stuff like this:


or this:


or this:


which are more in the Edwardian style. I see a lot of places say that these are flattering because they control and shape the lower body more. Now, by this, they mean that they are flattering to the hips, I assume. But what about my thighs? If I wear something like this, are my thighs going to explode out underneath the bottom of the corset like great big sausages? Or, less graphically, would such a style be unflattering to someone whose thighs are heavy relative to the rest of her body? I wear my corsets with long tight skirts, long poofy skirts, short tight skirts, short poofy skirts, and even jeans, so I want to make sure that my legs will look ok in any of those.

Advice is welcome!

Comments

[roaming.livejournal.com]

ooooh, thigh cleavage! Let those thighs free, girlfriend, and some hot-blooded man (or other) who's secure in his/her own ju-ju will dive right in head first and die from orgasmic asphyxiation. ;-P

I attraction of bod-mod (body modification) is palpable. But imo it's best when instead of making everyone look like some standard, the standards, applied, serve to play up/enhance/highlight what's unique and individual about the wearer. Got thighs? Someone will be shivering in their knee-high pirate boots over 'em.

Other than that generalization, I don't know enough about corsetry to discuss the pros and cons of corset minutiae. But you of course know there's a corsetry community and surely they will have many helpful insights.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

I'm not so much worried about what OTHER people want to see as I am about what I want to see. I dress primarily for MYSELF. A corset is actually perfect for me because I already have an hourglass shape, and they play it up to the fullest extent. So: highlighting what's unique about me. The thighs are something I DON'T want to play up because I feel that they detract from other parts of my body (like that hourglass figure) when emphasized in a way that makes them look heavy and thick. I feel like embracing my body and loving it for what it is doesn't have to mean that I can't dress to flatter it.

[roaming.livejournal.com]

wouldn't bigger thighs make everything else around it appear smaller and more "hourglass" shaped? ;->

Sorry, I often can't help being too tongue-in-cheek. And sorry if you thought I meant you shouldn't dress to flatter you. I guess I just think everyone looks better in a corset, most any corset.*

*(With the exception of women who have so much back fat that it looks like they have extra boobs popping out behind and under their armpits.)

[miss-lisa-ma.livejournal.com]

Alas, I don't have tons of experience corset-wise, but spent many, many years traipsing around with a fashionista-best-friend (who now freelances for companies like Fendi). Liz, and through her, massive doses of Vogue, Elle and Allure, turned me into someone who can fake it well enough to pass as an almost-fashionista, if I have to. I have the same issue re: thighs, too, so I feel your pain.

In general, the shorter the corset from waist to bottom, the less it will draw attention to the thighs. The style pointed in the front and shorter on the sides will probably work better than styles that dip lower on the hips. (LOVE the first one for that!) It might even be worth calling the places and asking customer service to measure from the dip in the waist to the bottom point on front and side, just to compare brands and fits. (Wish I'd known that when I bought my first corset.)

[fyrebloom.livejournal.com]

I agree keeping it shorter will keep the attention above the hips. Victorian and other later period corsets were meant to draw attention to the small waist so sticking to something like that would probably be best. I like the first one with the point in the waist area... like hear endeth the corset, you need look no further :). This is the extent of my knowledge since I generally wear Elizabethanish corsets (which are meant to accentuate cleavage and a long torso... there is very little squishing in the middle).

[jescot.livejournal.com]

Actually, I find that w/ my DDD's an overbust pushes my breasts into my chin & I dun like it. I've not had one that has cups, however. That may make all the difference. The rest of the stuff I have advice about corsets on aren't part of your concerns, so I will refrain. :-)

[ex-lark-asc.livejournal.com]

I think the pink corset looks like it would give a bit more coverage - that top one is very much like my Vollers one, which does more to lift and support the bust than really cover it. I do OK in it but then I'm an A-B cup - I think you might need something more!

A 3" waist reduction isn't what I'd call too big, but it's all about what you want and feel comfortable in - if it bugs you that you don't get a good reduction then you should get yourself a new corset.

Personally I find that the biggest problem with longer corsets is getting a bulge where they stop - like an inverse version of the muffin-top you get with low-slung jeans. If the corset doesn't come right down below crotch level, which I don't think any of those do, then your thighs won't get squished together, and you can adjust the lacing to make sure you're not squeezing yourself out of proportion. There's less give over your ships anyway for obvious reasons of bone, so a style that nipped your waist in and smoothed rather than shrank over the hips might well mave the opposite effect.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

That bulge is what I was afraid of.

[doomcanary.livejournal.com]

Right. I'd say the best idea is to try 'em on then - look for a style that isn't too tubular, one with plenty of curve in the cut so it doesn't dig in. I don't know enough about US brands to recommend a specific one, alas :(

[ex-lark-asc.livejournal.com]

Oops, sorry, that was my other head :)

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

No prob--I kinda figured. :)

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

I do go for the non-tubular kind. Victorian-style corsets in general are not tubular, and provide waist reduction as well as boobage enhancement.

[doomcanary.livejournal.com]

Maybe I just shop at the wrong places, but I often find that even Victorian styles aren't really cut for a woman with bona fide curves. I've got a Vollers corset that I really can't lace in tight without getting the most horrendous side-effects...