Kids in corsets or bodice?

[Sheri]

Specifically an almost 13yo girl. While at the Carolina Ren Faire this past October we once again found ourselves in the clothing shop near the Jousting field, which unfortunately I can not remember the name of.   However, inside we found an adorable corset in purple that she wanted to get.  I was all for it, however her dad was not impressed with the $95 price tag for a child that will probably grow out of it quickly.   At 5'7" I doubt she has very much growing left, but as she's only 12 we could see several more inches, so I can understand his reluctance.

I can make her one, but I know it won't turn out as beautiful as the purple one she found.   So I took to the web to find examples that I thought she'd like, and came across this one at GoodGoth.com  http://goodgoth.com/vampirella-dress-green.htm  A great price, and I don't have to sew it!  While I can sew and have made most of our outfits, if I can find something for a great price I'd rather do that.  So when I saw this one I could just picture her with some cellophane wings at the back along with some funky shoes, rocking that punk pixie to her hearts content. 

But it all ties into not knowing what size to get.  Do I get one that fits now, but than how far can I realistically let out the sides and still have it look good.  Oh, and by the way she WILL have a chemise on under it.  I may let her rock a corset, but I'm not letting her go bare skinned just yet.  13 (by Faires time) is a little young to be showing some skin, it's also why she still hasn't gotten the tail she wants.

Or do I get the next size up?   Will it fit fully tightened?  Or will there be some overlap in order to make it fit?   I'm not quite sure how it works, when you order online is the size with it tightened all the way, or with a gap between seams?

I would love to get her one of the corsets from MayFaire, but not willing just yet to invest that type of money into something she's just starting to be interested in, not to mention she could grow right on out of it!  Or as what's happened in the past she gets annoyed with pieces of her garb and takes things off, then of course I end up carrying stuff! 

I hope this all made sense, trying to multitask and form coherent sentences aren't going so well for me today.

[isabelladangelo]

 I would go with something a little less on the "sexy" side.  The corset is more meant for goth club wear than it is for the renn fest.   I know - she thinks it's cute.   However, its not practical.   Being 13, her body is not the same as a grown woman's -what that style is meant to fit.   It can hurt her.  Her rib cage, her chest, and even her length have not finished growing.  It won't fit her correctly either.  This is not the style for her.   

What she will be more comfortable in is something lightly boned that does not have curves. 

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I agree with isabella on this one.

The green dress is lovely, but more suitable for someone older.

Here is an idea, an Irish dress. I drafted the bodice based on my then 13 year old granddaughter's measurements in 2010. Double layer of  Cotton Canvas Duck under Corduroy, then lined. The skirt sewn onto the bodice. Seperate underskirt, chemise, bloomers, and hat. She loved it. Now she has grown so much since then. Taller and more filled out. The ensemble is on a hanger downstairs.

[Rani Zemirah]

I'm reading that she wants to go with more of a faerie character than a Ren character, if I'm understanding your reference to punk pixie?  Sounds like fun, and the green looks perfect for spring, as well!  If she's already 5'7 then she might be able to get away with this style, since she's as tall as most average women, already... and looking at the description, I'm not seeing anything that says it has any steel boning in it at all, but if it does then I would give it a pass for a young girl.  It does mention that it laces both front and back, with a modesty panel, but it's not really clear whether the panel is in the front or the back... so I would call and get more information on this piece before purchasing.  It also says it's a corset and skirt set, implying two pieces, which would make it a bit more versatile.  Since you mentioned that she would be wearing a chemise underneath I don't see anything too alarming with it, since it sounds like the rest of her garb makes it clear that she is most definitely underage.  The real question is, however, the bust and hip size.  Since the measurements only mention waist size, and there is a very definite waist-to-bust-to-hip ratio in the picture, I would suggest asking about the fit before purchasing.  You wouldn't want to buy something that will be loose in the bust and hips, because that won't be comfortable, and you don't want anything that is going to cinch in a 13y/o's waist for hours at a time.  The sizing chart is very definitely asking for personal waist size, however, and from that is suggesting which size to purchase.  The sizing chart of S-6X would also suggest that this is not an actual boned corset (or at least not with anything more than light weight plastic boning), and is more of a simple dress type garment.  As with anything of that nature, though, fit will be difficult to determine without trying it on, particularly since these things are clearly made for a fully developed figure.  Only you can determine whether it will fit or not, based on your daughter's actual measurements, and info you receive from the seller.  I would suggest at least giving them a call and seeing what they say... can't hurt, right?  

Oh... and there are some wonderful pixie characters out there who wear bodices, as well!  A really fun look is a bodice, short chemise and bloomers with a couple of layered tutus, or short ruffled skirts, such as these, all in different hues, and with some awesome wings... and let her experiment with her own makeup!  This is what my almost 11y/o is doing this year, and she's really excited about it.  The skirts are adorable, the bloomers and chemise are easy to make, and the bodice will be an experiment of my own... but you could buy one on ebay pretty reasonably, as well!  We'll be making the wings, also, but they can be bought if you're not wanting to be bothered. 

[DonaCatalina]

I would go with something a little less on the "sexy" side.  The corset is more meant for goth club wear than it is for the renn fest.   I know - she thinks it's cute.   However, its not practical.   Being 13, her body is not the same as a grown woman's -what that style is meant to fit.   It can hurt her.  Her rib cage, her chest, and even her length have not finished growing.  It won't fit her correctly either.  This is not the style for her.   

What she will be more comfortable in is something lightly boned that does not have curves. 

I completely agree here; especially the comfort part. After two hours she will be wanting out of it just because of the fabric its made of and the boning style. Too many people look at items like this and see the 'pretty' fabric and don't realize that it will be uncomfortably hot and itchy.

[isabelladangelo]

I completely agree here; especially the comfort part. After two hours she will be wanting out of it just because of the fabric its made of and the boning style. Too many people look at items like this and see the 'pretty' fabric and don't realize that it will be uncomfortably hot and itchy.

Oh, yes!   I didn't even consider the fabric issue.   Thank you for pointing that out. 

Also, I was only a year older when I started going to Faire.  At that point, I use to *adore* the Unicorn styles.

http://www.unicornclothing.com/bodice.htm

The pictures are a bit deceiving- the bodices aren't that low cut unless you loosen the shoulder ties.  They are very lacy, pretty, and typically are out of a cotton with lace overlay. 

[Rowan MacD]

   I do agree that a corset or corset-like piece is a bit old for a 12 year old, regardless that some kids dress like 20-somethings.    My daughter was all legs and height at that age too, (5' 8" by 8th grade) and I know it's hard to find age appropriate clothes for them when they have to shop in the adult sections.    

  If she would like a punk fairy,  perhaps a velvet waist cincher instead of a corset?  You could make a chemise out of an airy fabric,  perhaps with a jagged, leafy looking neckline and skirt.   The whole outfit would have room to grow for a couple of years, be light and cool, and a pair of matching tights and slippers should be comfortable enough for a younger teen.


 

[Sheri]

Thank you so much for the info!   I too wondered about the scratchiness of the fabric, knowing her that's one thing that would be complained about the most, especially the lace at the top.  However, with a chemise on that portion wouldn't be touching the skin so it wasn't a deal breaker to me.

Saying that, I am absolutely loving the idea of the tutu, bloomers and bodice route or a much simpler waist cincher. I can picture lots of interesting looks with that.  And hopefully without the annoyance factor in fabric choices.

If nothing else, just getting various thoughts from others and what's worked or not worked with others is a wealth of information.  We've been going to the Faire since she was just 4 or 5 and dressing the part has always been a thrill for her.  In the past few years we've gone the gypsy route since it's the easiest outfit to make.   This past Halloween she dressed as the Dread Pirate Roberts so she may surprise me and not want to be a fairy but instead rock the pirate look.  And I'm ok with that.   Just want to get some ideas, especially with sizing a still growing child.  It's so difficult when they decide to grow up on you!  What fit fine a few years ago I now need to have hips/waist/bust adjustments in mind when trying to outfit her.   

[Dinobabe]

Another idea is an underbust corset.  That is what I wore for several years as I grew in the "front".   It only had boning at the grommets to keep it straight.  She still has a lot of growing to do.  Heck!  My body shape changed all the way thru my 20's as I finished becoming a woman (the last bones to fuse in the body are in the skull and don't finish until mid 20's)!  It was very comfortable and very easy to make.  My grandma drafted the pattern (I still have it, cut out of newspaper!) since the Big 3 weren't at Ren costumes yet.  I think they now have a pattern or at least something you could easily alter.  You can make it reversible so she has two colors to choose from.  It shouldn't take more than 1/2 a yard of each fabric.  I would go with cotton or linen for breathability.  Mine was rust red and then we trimmed it with green trim!
I imagine she still likes to run around, that's hard to do in a boned corset!  I also, at least personally, wouldn't buy a pre-made bodice or corset without actually being able to try it on.  EVERY woman's (or girl's!) body is different, even in minute ways.
Good luck!

[Rani Zemirah]

The underbust and/or the waist cincher ideas are awesome, and go really well with the faerie look, or even the pirate look, so she could have something VERY versatile with either of those, and with only the plastic boning they aren't too uncomfortable, either.  It's very true that the natural fabrics are always going to be more comfortable, also. 

Sounds like you've got lots to discuss with your daughter, and then the two of you can decide on something that will work for maybe more than one look!  Have fun!!! 

[Dinobabe]

Oh!  Good hint for helping with the ideas.... have her draw what she wants and go from there!  I think all of us do that.

[Captain Teague]

Make one out of duct tape and cardboard first. Strap her in it good and snug and make her wear it a half day out in 80+ degree weather. You will find out real quick whether she likes those or not.

And to play Devil's Advocate for a moment....I would make damn sure she is escorted by an adult at all times at Faire. A 13 yo in a corset will be more than tempting for some fools, drunkards or ummmm...shall we say....darker unsavory characters....there is more than one thread here discussing how young ladies get accosted even in plain commoner garb at a young age while attending and even working at Faire.


Just saying.

[Kate XXXXXX]

Good point, though.

Oh, and teach her some Judo!

[Sheri]

No worries, she's with dad or I at all times, always has been and as the only girl in the family she's kind of had to learn to deal with being arms length at all times.   She has 5 brothers, if she hasn't figured out how to get them to stop bugging her <or making her voice very loud so that someone else makes them stop> then she missed something growing up.  In other words, that child gets watched like a hawk anyway, she fears no one and will talk to anyone, so we've had to learn to keep an eye on her.

I'm a bit scared to have her draw something!  No telling what she'll come up with!  And while I can sew pretty decently, I'm afraid whatever she'll come up with will be far beyond my ability!  But we can go to the fabric store and have a look around and see what sparks her fancy.  And who knows, maybe what she wants is a lot simpler than I can picture.

[isabelladangelo]

Absolutely what Lord Dragon said.   I haven't heard of anything happening at faire but I have certainly heard the Pennsic stories.   Child predators are everywhere.

Also, if she draws out the outfit, bring it on over to the sewing side of the board!   We can probably translate the drawing into simple patterns.