What do you think of when you hear the word “corset”? Do you think of elegant Victorian ladies with waspish figures? Do you get an image of Scarlet O’Hara clinging to the bedpost as Mammy laces her up, all the while admonishing her for eating too much at the barbeque? Does a corset make you think of romance, sexy underwear, and bedroom adventures?
Corsetry was once a staple in women’s underwear and, although less restricting garments have replaced it, the corset has never really gone out of style. Some women enjoy wearing a corset as sexy underwear once in a while for a little extra stimulation in the bedroom and others still partake in something called “waist training” (altering the shape of the torso with the use of a corset). Whatever your reasons are, here are a few tips for buying your first corset.
Shapes and Styles
A corset is not a bustier. A corset is usually worn in conjunction with a blouse or dress, unlike a bustier, which you can wear on designers own. Corsets don’t cover as much of the bust as you might think. Most corsets stop just below the bust or only cover it halfway.
Here are some basic corsetry styles available:
*Over bust: the corset extends far enough to cover the breasts
*Cups: contains an underwire bra with cups for added support
*Half bust: only covers the lower half of the breasts, giving you a “peek-a-boo” effect
*Under bust: no breast coverage at all
Aside from the bust line, there are different shapes for the hips too:
*Short hip: originally designed for riding, this corset allows better movement in the hip area.
*Mid hip: best for day to day wear, the mid hip corset distributes the pressure from the corset evenly, yet still allows you to move freely and comfortably.
*Long hip: very restrictive, but offers more tummy control
*Titanic Era: styled after a type of corset worn in the 1800s and places a strong emphasis on posture. This one will cure you of slouching for sure and is best worn with full skirts.
*Corset dress: This full length corset is a favourite among the fetish groups. Frequently used in waist and obedience training.
Does it sound extreme? It should. In this corset you won’t be able to sit, and in some cases, you won’t be able to walk very well either.
You’ll want to choose a corset in a colour that will go with anything. Black and white are the most popular choices. As time goes on and you decide you enjoy wearing a corset, you may want to invest in one or two more elaborately designed pieces.
Size
Corsetry uses sizes according to waist measurements, unlike the standard sizes used in other types of women’s underwear. The right size corset for a woman is typically about four inches smaller than the standard waist measurement. This enables the corset to be laced as firm as possible, allowing for a gap between the lacing. Because a corset is designed to create curves in a woman, it is essential to shape the corset appropriately and select one that best works with the figure.
A corset, like most sexy lingerie, can be costly, but most women find that the final purchase is more than worth it for the quality of the garment. Some corsets are made with less than quality materials, so these should be avoided at all costs. Instead of rushing into a corset purchase, it is recommended that suitable time and care is taken when determining the right corset, as you would with any other valued piece of women’s underwear, so that the purchase will provide memories that will last a lifetime.
Amanda Cotterill has been involved in the sexy lingerie uk market for many years. This article outlines the benefits of sexy corsetry as if that needed much explaining! Please include this credit if you use this article.
