Corsets BEFORE and AFTER

[maggy22]

ive been thinking about buying a corset lately but am not sure were to get a good one that will fit under my cloths to give me that more curvy look!!! I was wondering if any one can recommend any good corsets that give a realy femm figure!!!

Also can any one that has a corset post a before and after picture of ther waist so i can see the differents a corest makes!!!

Any other tips on how to get a girly figure would also be nice to recieve!!

THANKS and as soon a i get a corset i will post a photo XX

[Alayna]

HI Maggie, my name is Alayna and I make corsets. I hope this helps answer your questions.

First and foremost - go custom. There really is no other option when you're looking into a corset. It's an expensive investment and to not spend the extra $50-$100 is not worth the pain and loss of breath you'll have with an off-the-rack model. It's a precise garment, and must be made to each individual. An experienced corset-maker can mold your body and emphasize or minimize things like your hips, even though the only thing actually being cinched is your waist.

If the corset-maker only offers sizes (i.e. 38B) then it's not a custom corset. It's better than S-M-L, but still not worth the price. It's easy to know what you're getting from the measurements they ask. If you're only being asked for your bust-waist-hip measurements, you're not going to get a great fit. Most, including myself, ask for at least 15 measurements, and they should be taken seriously. For best results, you should pay a tailor the $5 and have them do it for you.

Also, you should be offered the option of a "muslin" or mock-up. When your measurements have been received a personal pattern is drawn up and a test-corset made of canvas or muslin will be sent to you. You review the fit, and mark any changes on the muslin (best done by a tailor) and send it back. Changes are made to the pattern and the final corset is constructed. The muslin is important because only rarely is the fit going to be perfect the first time. No matter how accurate the measurements or detailed a photo of yourself is, there usually need to be a few adjustments in the bust or hip area. Most custom corset-makers usually insist on muslins.

Your fabric/color/embellishment choices should reflect how you intend to wear it as well. If you want a corset suitable for serious tight-lacing (to be worn 23/7) your only real option is cotton. If it's more part-time, and you would like the versatility of wearing under or over your clothes, you might want to go with prettier colors, satins or velvets, and add lace trim or exterior boning channels (the raised stripes on some corsets). If you plan on wearing it exclusively underneath your clothes and prefer to be discreet, again you may want to go with cotton. More importantly though you won't want anything that will show through your clothing. This means picking neutral colors, interior boning channels, and simple trims.

There are a few reputable places online (it can be difficult at best to find a local corsetier): Dark Garden (http://www.darkgarden.net/index.asp) (the best, but really expensive), Meschantes (http://www.meschantes.com/), Isabella Costumiere (http://www.corsetmaker.com/) and Romantasy (www.romantasy.com) (a huge website with 1000+ pics) are a few good examples. You can go to Staylace.com (http://www.staylace.com/resourcelist/custom.htm) for a listing of corset-makers as well. I also have a few corsets listed on my DeviantArt (http://waistedspace.deviantart.com) page.

You should also check to see their experience with transgender clients. Most, if not all corsetiere's work with TG's, but some are more experienced than others. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions, even if they seem silly to you. Remember, you're making an investment in hundreds of dollars and you have the right to be completely informed. If it's well-made and taken care of properly, it will last you many years. Feel free to e-mail me any time if I can answer any other questions for you:)

p.s. Thanks Natalie for directing me here:hugs:

[Shy]

I recently dished out the money on a custom corset ($350), and it's an absolutley essential part of my wardrobe. It gives me a fairly feminine figure with a minimum of discomfort.

[jo_ann]

uggh.. I so want to spend the money on a decent corset, but my wife would kill me (maybe when we're out of debt). I bought a cheapy on ebay for like $20 that's rectangular and is only like 6-8 inches wide, and doesn't really work well.