TheStitchWitch wrote:

No. This is a horrible example of a corset. This is why you don't shop at the stores I mentioned earlier in the thread.

These are very common and can be found in any lingerie shop or online store. They come in a variety of colors and are made with 1/4 inch wide spiral steel boning. People get confused and think they are getting the real thing because they are sold as "steel boned corsets". 1/4 inch wide boning only works for petite bodies and then it needs to be doubled up. These only have one bone per seam and are made with eyelet tape instead of two piece grommets.

This is the same type of corset. On a stiff dress form it looks ok.



It is closed with weak little hooks and eyes. These may work for a bra but are innapropriate for a corset.



Turn it around and you will see how badly the back of it warps when any pressure is applied. A good corset will have flat steel bones in the back to keep the edges straight.



Put it one a fuller figured girl and you get this:



Another example of the same type of corset. This one is too big for the wearer so it just looks like a slightly stiffened tube top.



This one is so bad she has to wear a back brace over it.



Look for corsets that are made from sturdy material and at least three layers. Only buy if it has a busk and heavy duty grommets. It should have spring (flat) steel boning or a combination of spring and spiral bones. If you're not sure what these are, go to www.corsetmaking.com and look them up.

For corset training, get an underbust that is custom made for you. Off the rack corsets will not work for training since you will have to wear the corset every day. For more info on corset training, search the forums for that topic, there are a few threads on it already.

No, your waist will not stay the same once you stop wearing the corset.

Corset makers that I recomend are:

www.laceembrace.com

www.darkgarden.com

and of course, I should plug my own work. www.getSINched.com

There are plenty of other good makers, I just don't have my list in front of me right now. If you do plenty of research and ask lots of questions, you'll be fine.

-Real corsets have steel bones and can usually reduce a waist at least 4 inches.
-The first time you wear a corset, the average reduction you can expect (though it is different depending on each individual) is 2-4 inches.  Often when ordering your first corset, you want to order one 4 inches smaller than your natural waist (measured at the smallest part of your waist).
-Tightlacing is often considered reducing your waist 6 or more inches.
-Corsetry is the one area of business that you usually get what you pay for. Good corsets cost a lot of money, usually a couple hundred, depending on the type and whether it is custom or not.
-A Custom corset is one made to your specific measurements (some only use a small handful of measurements, others use upwards of 20 measurements), otherwise you can order an off-the-rack corset which is often ordered by the size waist you intent to lace down to. 
-If you are tight lacing, it is a MUST to get a custom corset, otherwise you will hurt yourself.
-If you have an abnormal waist/hip/bust measurement, it is best to get a custom corset, again so you don't hurt yourself
-Corseting will not cause you any harm if you do it right.
-Do not lace down too tight too fast. Not only will this hurt you, it WILL damage your corset. Take your time, if it hurts, loosen it!  Tighten it to were it is comfortable, then try lacing down further in 30 minutes if you are comfortable doing so. 
-When wear a corset for the first time, even if you are experienced with lacing corsets tight, taking it easy the first few times. Allow the fabric to warm up to your body before lacing it tight, or you will damage your corset.
-For great info on tight lacing and corset wearing, visit:
http://www.waspcreations.com/faq.htm
http://www.staylace.com/
^Click on the ‘resources’
When done properly, wearing a corset will not hurt you and will not damage your organs
-A real corset that will give a real reduction, will not have a zipper, even if it is steel boned.  Trust me, I've learned from personal mistake here.
-A real corset will have grommets (http://www.thegoosenest.com/images/Grommets-tn.jpg)
and busks (http://www.lovesickcorrectiveapparel.co … 19busk.jpg)
^Thanks Theda for reminding me to put this
-An underbust corset will be easier to wear and hide under clothes, and will be easier to wear over clothes. You can mix up an underbust with many different outfits.  An overbust is more formal looking and can be worn without a top underneath.  It is usually just preference, but if you want something for waist training and a lot of versatility, I would say the underbust is your best bet. 
-Do NOT drink anything fizzy when wearing a corset, you'll regret it.
- If you're going out all night in one, try packing some rennies with you since there's a reasonably high chance you'll get heartburn if you're lacing and drinking and dancing all at once
-Put your shoes on before your corset
^Thanks to Vasilisa for reminding me of these last 3

The following thanks to TheStitchWitch:
Never loan your  custom corset to someone else no matter how much they beg. Your corset will conform to your body as you wear it and once you allow it to be on a different body, it may become warped or cause stress in other areas. This will shorten the life of your corset and may cause you discomfort as well.

The other possiblility is that the person borrowing it will damage it. Usually they put it on wrong or release the busk without loosening the laces and break something. Chances are that if someone is borrowing your corset, they don't have the funds to get their own so they won't be able to replace yours.

Other tidbits of info:

Hand wash or dry clean only. I don't trust dry cleaners so I wash mine in cool water with detergent made for delicate lingerie.  Lay flat to dry and never use a hot iron. It is best to wash without the laces and re-lace once dry.

A little Febreze or a similiar product between washings is fine (test somewhere inconspicuous first). Wear something under your corset like a liner or tank top to prolong the time between washings.

If you are corsetting for long periods of time, a little baby powder will help with chafing if it does not fit well. Just was after wearing over powdered skin.

Do not store your corset rolled up, this will warp the bones. Hang it like this:

How to properly lace your corset:
http://www.waspcreations.com/howtol.htm

I had an awesome experience with GW Corsetry (I don't believe they have a website, but they used to have an ebay store)
www.trashydiva.com   for off-the-rack corsets
Isabella Customiere I've had wonderful experiences from, their off-the-rack (which was purchased from the above store) has held up better than some of my customs
I've heard nothing but good things about FairyGothMother
Starkers!  (they not only have AWESOME corsets, but the BESt customer service I have ever dealt with)
If anyone wants to leave positive (or negative) feedback about a corset maker, if enough come in, I'll add them to the list
The two places to avoid:
Merchantes (this place has had some good reviews, but a lot of bad reviews)
Creations Lescarpolette  (This one has personally ripped me off out of $450.  More info here: http://community.livejournal.com/corsetry/1507673.html   about the MULTIPLE people she ripped off)

Miss Fifi-Alexis wrote:
Hey Nikki, your link for trash diva doesn't work.

Fixed, thanks

Phillip Ritchie  wrote:
to see a women in a real corset and to see how it re shapes her body is amazing ,,
the look is stunning ,sinful ,sexy ,sensual and beautiful .


I love the look ,,.

phillip

ps just my thoughts not trying to side track your post

Glad to have the support

Jellokittie wrote:
I bought my first real corset last week!

Unfortunately, the first time I wore it I forgot your advice not to lace too tightly! I wore it for an hour and damn did it hurt!

But I can't wait to do a shoot in it!

Awesome! I can't wait to see pictures

BethanyLynn wrote:
I really really really want a real corset but I cant afford one.
Do you know anyone willing to sell an old one?

The best advice I can give is either to:
Watch this community, because when people outgrow their corsets, they often sell them for cheap here:
http://community.livejournal.com/corsetry/
Or watch ebay.  But don't be fooled, just because it says steel boned on ebay, doesn't mean it is.  If it looks like it is from Fredricks or Victoria's Secret, it's not steel boned.  Ask questions from the ebay sellers also, like how many steel bones there are and make sure that it has 3 layers of fabric (usually one being coutil).
On ebay stuff like this is NOT what you are looking for:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Red-Satin-Corse … dZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SEXY-RED-SATIN- … dZViewItem
Or anything that their sizes go in L, M, or S.
Search some of the corset sites I listed above and study the pictures, if the picture on ebay does not look like the same type of strenght as you see on those sites, don't buy it

TwistedDoll wrote:
Ooh. Thanks for the info. ^_^

You're welcome.
I'm sure I'll add more info when I think of the rest

crystalking wrote:
Proof that beauty is PAIN!

Umm...as I state above, if you wear it right, there won't be pain

Azari wrote:
This is an awesome resource. I make corsets sometimes with steel bones, it's great fun!!! Thanks for taking the time to do this

You're welcome.
It's just nice to debunk some of the myths about corsets

Meganahan wrote:
Is it dangerous to wear a corset if you have had surgery to correct Pectus Excavatum?

This is a question I am not qualified to answer, that would be a question for a doctor.  Sorry I can't help

Nikki A wrote:

This is a question I am not qualified to answer, that would be a question for a doctor.  Sorry I can't help

Thank you anyways!

Meganahan wrote:

Thank you anyways!

If you are really interested in corseting, definately talk to a doctor, but also get some info together about corset wearing first, because even some doctor's believe the myths about corseting being bad

Nikki A wrote:
Or watch ebay.  But don't be fooled, just because it says steel boned on ebay, doesn't mean it is.  If it looks like it is from Fredricks or Victoria's Secret, it's not steel boned.  Ask questions from the ebay sellers also, like how many steel bones there are and make sure that it has 3 layers of fabric (usually one being coutil).
On ebay stuff like this is NOT what you are looking for:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Red-Satin-Corse … dZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SEXY-RED-SATIN- … dZViewItem
Or anything that their sizes go in L, M, or S.
Search some of the corset sites I listed above and study the pictures, if the picture on ebay does not look like the same type of strenght as you see on those sites, don't buy it

Generally this is true, but corsets made out of materials like leather and latex probably will not have three layers of fabric. One should also look for flat steel boning (rather than spiral) along the  grommets and the busk. I prefer shaped flat steels along the sides, as well.

Also, Stormy Leather sizes their corsets in S-M-L and they are pretty decent quality (although not as good as they once were).

theda wrote:

Generally this is true, but corsets made out of materials like leather and latex probably will not have three layers of fabric. One should also look for flat steel boning (rather than spiral) along the  grommets and the busk. I prefer shaped flat steels along the sides, as well.

Also, Stormy Leather sizes their corsets in S-M-L and they are pretty decent quality (although not as good as they once were).

Good point, I'll add that.  I mentioned not to use zippers, but I didn't mention grommets and busks, though I'm off to google to find a picture so people know what we are talking about.
These rules are just general

SHGfoto- Stefhan Gordon wrote:
Just did a shoot with one of the wardrobe changes being a corset....

I don't know how authenticate the one shown in the shot below is, because the wardrobe stylist acquired it. She had another that we ran out of time to shoot in.

Only thing I'd recommend is that for models unaccustomed to wearing corsets, get the corset and wear it before the day of the shoot. The model in my shoot was really really uncomfortable. It was very hard for her to move naturally.

Awesome shot, but from the looks of it, it is a corset-styled top probably from Fredricks of Hollywood.  They can be pretty, but definately not steel boned


PS. I'm not trying to sound bitchy, so I hope you didn't take it that way

Baron Von Tyher wrote:
Wonderful info. Thank you for taking the time.  I can not tell you the times a model will tell me they have awesome corsets and they show up with cheap arse department store stuff with basically zero boning. They look hideous went pulled tight and usually the material folds.

Nothing like a steel boned corset to give that hourglass/wasp figure!

I try to be nice, but sometimes that is my pet peeve.  Really it is just that people don't know better, but sometimes I'm like 'that's not a corset!!!'

SHGfoto- Stefhan Gordon wrote:
It still was uncomfortable 

The first time I wore one of those, it was uncomfortable, trust me I know!
I can say that the one I had like that was probably more uncomfortable than my first steel boned one.
Don't be sad though

Nikki A wrote:
http://www.puimond.com/custom.htm 

SHGfoto- Stefhan Gordon wrote:
It still was uncomfortable 

Ah....but the POINT isn't comfort-but the shaping of the body.....As a theatrical designer, I have made MANY custom corsets over the years. I got my training at one of the best arts conservatories in the country-North Carolina School of the Arts. There we learned how to cut corsets to match period styles to create the "fashionable" figure of different eras....
  There's a great resource for people interested in the historical aspects-  "Corsets and Crinolines" by Norah Waugh.  You can usually buy it at Amazon.com

Revel wrote:

I used to own an underbust from them, and they didn't file down or cap the ends of the steel bones. So every time I wore it, at least one bone wore/ripped through the brocade and I'd have to mend it. It was such a pain in the ass that I sold it. Maybe my experience was an anomalie, but be aware of it when considering buying from them.

Good to know
I've heard a lot of good stuff about them

Dani Scandal wrote:
Thanks for the info!

you're welcome

BethanyLynn wrote:
Is this what I would be looking for?
Its just for shoots so I dont want to pay a whole gob of money and you said steel boned.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Satin-Steel-Boned-O … dZViewItem

It looks very cute, but I've VERY skeptical that it will do any reduction. I could be wrong.  if you are getting a corset just for photoshoots, I wouldn't get a real corset, that one will probably do for just photoshoots.