Tag Archives: The Right Corset Size

When measuring yourself for a corset, we always recommend that you start with the measure of your natural/relaxed waist and then subtract 4" to 5" to get your size for a steel boned corset, and to subtract 6" to 7" from the measure of your waist to get your size for a waist training corset.

But what are you to do if your waist measure so many inches and a half? Should you round up or round down?

There are those who believe that if your waist measures 30” or more and you have a ½”, to round down and if you have a waist that measures beneath 30” and you’ve got a ½” on there, to round up.

However, I disagree.

What’s most important to take into account here is what your middle feels like. Firm? Little bit of extra fluff or squish? This is what will really help you to determine your ideal size.

So keep in mind that if you have a firm middle, you will want to consider rounding that ½” up.  And if you have a bit of extra fluff or squish, then go on and round down.

And there you have it: how to handle the half inch.

Happy lacing!

You've just received your corset in the mail and you're dying to get it on, right? You tear open the package, take the corset out of its bag, untie the laces and try and wrap it round your waist to see how it fits, yes? Well, here are a few reasons why it is so very important that you take the time to fully loosen your corsets laces before putting it on. It takes very little time to do and can save you numerous inconveniences.

1. You'll think your corset is too small 

Even if you have purchased the perfect size for your needs, you will not be able to get the corset on before you've fully loosened your laces.

Think about it: a steel boned corset should be in a size 4" to 5" less the measure of your waist and a waist training corset should be 6" to 7" less the measure of your natural waist. Since the corset is designed to reduce and cinch the waist, there is no logical reason why you should be able to wrap it comfortably round your middle if the cord is not loosened completely.

2. You'll be convinced your corset is uncomfortable

If you've partially loosened your laces and after loads of struggle and strain have managed to get it around your waist, you won't feel comfortable in it. All that effort has almost managed to have you break a sweat, increase your heart and breathing rate and body temperature...not comfortable!

If you completely loosen the laces, your corset should not only wrap around your middle with zero difficulty, it should seem absolutely huge on you until you tighten it. For example, a properly loosened corset should not only fasten with great ease but you should be able to twist it round your middle with almost no friction.

3. You risk bending the busk and bones

If you manage to get your corset on without bending/warping the busk or the bones after not having properly loosened you laces, the odds of achieving the same success when you remove your corset are slim.

Loosening your laces is not only important when putting the corset on but almost very important when you've decided its time to remove your corset.

The most common thing that will occur if you haven't loosened them enough when trying to take your corset off is that the center hook of your busk will feel like it is completely stuck over its pin and this is where the potential for bending the hook comes in.

And there you have it: 3 reasons why it is in your best interest to take just one extra minute to completely loosen your corset's laces before putting it on and when taking it off.

Happy lacing!

As with anything made from fabric, corsets will stretch out a little over time and after a certain amount of wear.

What is important to realize is that this is not a sign of poor quality and simply a fact of physics.

Much like a brand new pair of jeans will have a degree of rigidity to them and we wear them a few times to "break them in", so it is with a corset. But rather than referring to it as "breaking in" your corset, we call this seasoning your corset. This process allows the corset to gradually mold to your unique shape and curve smoothly to your enhanced silhouette.

Also, rest assured that what we're talking about here isn't that your corset will stretch out to the point where you will find yourself considering a size or 2 down within a week of wear, no no. Any good quality steel bone corset will feature a twill lining and that lining will be fused to the out shell of the corset for additional strength.

So to re-cap: your corset will experience a bit of give or "stretch" after a bit of wear but nothing to the degree where its shape will be altered or warped. Rather this will give it the softness required for it to both follow and enhance the shape of your natural curves and silhouette.

Happy lacing!

Whether you are looking to purchase a corset to help you with your weight loss, or if you are looking to purchase it as a treat for yourself to celebrate having reached your weight loss goal, the one important rule of thumb is to always buy a corset to suit your current size.

Let me give you an example for each of the above situations:

1. Purchasing a corset to help you reach your weight loss goal

When we set a weight loss goal in mind, we can't help but envision what we're going to look like once our goal is reached. And sometimes, we begin to shop a little prematurely for things that perhaps don't yet fit. Even more so, we may be tempted to go down a few sizes with our corsets because we hope that this will help us shed weight all the quicker.

This is not the case! You need to consider a few things here: first, a corset is sized to not only fit one's waist but also one's hips and rib cage in proportion to one's waist. Therefore, if the corset is too snug around your waist, it will also be too snug around your hips and ribs or chest and this will undoubtedly not be comfortable for you.

Secondly, a corset cannot provide a greater waist reduction than it promises. Therefore a steel boned corset cannot bear more tension than the 4" to 5" it promises, nor can a waist trainer go beyond the 6" to 7" it promises to nip from your waist. So let's say your waist measures 30" and you decide to purchase a size 22" corset: hoping to have the corset reduce your waist by 8" will cause stress and even damage to the corset and its boning and in the worst case scenario, injury to the wearer from a bent, warped or broken bone.

2. Purchasing a corset based on the size you hope to be in the near future

I honestly do understand and appreciate the psychology behind purchasing something that will fit you at the end of a diet or exercise regimen or once your goal is reached. Some people find hanging up a smaller sized pair of jeans or a swimsuit in plain sight can be very motivational to stay on course, and I get it.

The only problem I have with this is there is no guarantee how you will lose the weight (because not all of us are lucky enough to shed it from our waist), you don't yet know how toned/muscular your midsection will be once you've met your goal, or if you are even able meet your original goal (sometimes we can set our sights a little too high).

All of these factors will influence whether or not the corset you purchased months ago in anticipation of reaching your goal, will fit you properly.

This is why, at the end of the day we cannot stress enough the importance of purchasing a corset that either fits you at this moment, or holding off on your purchase until you've reached your weight loss/fitness goals.

For any additional questions about corsets and weight loss, please email me at sabrina@truecorset.com

Happy lacing!

So you’ve decided that it’s time for your first, or a new, corset, but how do you know exactly what to order to ensure that you are getting the perfect fit to give you that perfect figure? Continue reading →