Orchard Corsets?

[isabelladangelo]

I wear a very early style corset and I'm not uncomfortable and it certainly doesn't flatten me out. LOL .
The trick is to get one that fits you. Nothing is more uncomfortable than an ill-fitting corset of pair of bodies. And as has been stated, polyester satin doesn't help any in that regard.
Different people look good in different styles. In Medieval or Victorian clothing I rather look like an overdressed fig.

The thing is that people *were* different shapes throughout history.  They didn't go around in pain while working the fields, they wore a fashionable shape that fit their measurements.  To me, it's silly (and incredibly modern) to think "Well, I'm this shape so I can't".  Because there wasn't someone in history that had that exact same shape?   We all came from someone who lived at that point and time.  Genetics tell us that whoever that was probably had a similar body type.   

It's only since the 1960's really that we don't make clothing that fits *us*.  Prior to that, most people had at least once dress that was home sewed.  Prior to the 1880's, all clothing was home sewed and most of it by hand.   People didn't go around looking poorly (well, some did.  The Regency era certainly had it's own equivalent of "People of Walmart") or in pain.   They found a way to get the fashionable shape so it fit them.   

I'm very much a long waisted hourglass figure.  Yes, I can't wear any store bought corsets because every last one becomes an underbust (which is okay for Edwardian but not for Victorian).  So, I'm building my own, again. 

My 18th C stays and my Elizabethan pair of bodies are both ones I've created myself as well.   How you look and how pain free you are in them has nothing to do with the shape they give you -it has to do if they are actually made to your measurements or not.  If they aren't, of course you'll be in pain.   Your waist isn't where someone else's is. 

I just made my Mom a pair of 18th C stays, she's petite -short waisted, hourglass- and I had to figure out how to adjust the pattern to fit her.  She LOVED them once I finished them because they fit her and kept everything where it should be. 

[Alphena Brennafax]

In regards to the OP, I think for the price, you could certainly get away with one of the under bust or plainer full corsets. The pinstripe ones in particular cold lend themselves to a pretty neat pirate look. I wore my cheap-o fredricks of hollywood corset my first time at war and nobody gave a fig. Actually, it lasted me a good 5 years as an under corset after that. So, while they certainly aren't the highest standard in Renaissance corsetry, those cheaper ones can still be useful.

I think when your still new to garbing, spending $40 versus $140 on a Morseca (as much as I love their garb) is wise. I know personally, I've changed my style dramatically over the years going from wench to medieval to more of a fantasy viking. So, all the pretty bodices I bought just sit in my garb box unworn.

I've purchased through OC for shapewear before for my vintage clothes and never had a problem with a transaction.And they really do have some of the best prices out there.

[Rani Zemirah]

And not everything they sell is poly satin, either...

[LadyAsh]

I was actually looking at either the plainer ones or the pinstripe one. I kind of want to make a pirate wench type look for faire this year.
I was also eyeing the molly style skirt on Moresca for the pirate look.

[Lady Rebecca]

If you're looking for a cheap (in price) Victorian-style corset that's a good starter piece, I recommend http://stores.ebay.com/canalboattrading. I bought this corset: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250825948208&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT last month, and other than taking in the bust a little, since it was gapping, I haven't found any fit or comfort problems. I have yet to wear it out to an event, but I have worn it around my 90-degree house. The outer layer isn't a natural fiber, but it's lined in cotton, and has flat steel at the center front and back, and spiral steel everywhere else. Also, if it's in stock (I recommend asking them first) it ships really quickly. And for only $29, you can't really go wrong!

[LadyAsh]

Thanks, Lady Rebecca! I checked it out, and their corsets look lovely! The prices aren't that bad either.

[LAVAGODDESSSS]

Well, aside from that whole Twiggy phenomena...   

I've tried to wear the Elizabethan look, but I'm so very short-waisted that I have never been able to find either a bodice or a corset that doesn't dig into the tops of my hips, and I still haven't progressed to the point of wanting to try and make one for myself.  It's not a very flattering look for my very hourglass figure, either...

I do tend to stay away from the larger bustles, as well...    lol

This might be a bit late, but I was doing some research on corsets. I'm 6' tall, and I order from Damsel (damseldress.com) she is on artfire and etsy as well. Hers NEVER dig into my hips because she makes them longer. Even her regular ones don't. When I special order they are super long. Gotta find yourself someone who will do a longer silhouette!

[Betty Munro]

You can get Moresca on ebay (used) (be patient) (keep looking), for around $50.00.
They have a "pirate bodice" that is to die for.  It is not Tudor or Elizabethan period H/A, but it rocks the Pirate Garb.  You can go to their website and use your measurements to determine what size you need ... then just keep hunting ebay. 

[gem]

I'm bumping this thread up because I recently had a chance to try a corset from Orchard, and while I didn't end up keeping it, I was *really* impressed. I got a lot more than I paid for.

The construction and quality were top-notch--it really was one of the nicest RTW corsets I've ever seen. It was fully boned with steel (and heavy! ), so--if one were so disposed--you could use it for serious waist training. And it was really beautiful. They included two pages of instructions on how to lace, wear, train, and care for the corset. Everything I saw indicated a company dedicated to producing a quality product, and I hope I get a chance to try them again.

Customer service was also great. They were extremely responsive, helping me decide on a style (altho' a little overconfident on sizing; see below), and shipped the corset so quickly it was in my hands two days later. My return was also handled promptly and professionally.

I didn't end up keeping it for a couple of reasons. First, the particular item I ordered was a little more corset than I was actually looking for! LOL And the sizing (for this model) was a little tricky, for me. They advise going 4 inches smaller than your waist, which seems to be the industry standard for this style of corset, but that ended up being a little small on me. I needed more room in the hips. If I'd paid closer attention to the garment measurements (which were right there on the product page, if I'd looked), I'd have seen that, in order to fit my hips, I should have ordered a couple of sizes larger. Less curvy women would do great with the standard advice. I think I'd do better in a different style, and now have a better idea of how to pick a size and style to fit me.

I went to Orchard because they were *cheap,* but what I got was anything but. It really is a great item for the money. They run regular sales, so it's worth getting on their mailing list. (I happened to get there just when all white corsets--which is what I needed--were $59! The same item is now $99, but that's still a bargain for what you get.)

HTH!

[operafantomet]

The Victorian silhouette is much more feminine, and you don't have to create an artificial "bum", either!  

Except if you're making an actual Victorian outfit, with bustle silhouette

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

My 2 cents!

I have 3 Moresca bodices and love every one of them.  They are so comfortable and wear well, both in the looking-good kind, and also the sturdy-hold up-wearing-for years kind.  Worth every penny you pay for it!     

[LadyAsh]

I was talking with one of my friend's friend at the faire this weekend about bodices/corsets. She says she owns a few bodices from Moresca, and she has been happy with them. I've been browsing their website on and off for the past few days and may wind up ordering their pirate bodice one day!

Gem- thanks for your experience with Orchard. From your experience, it sounds like a good company to buy from.

[KellyReilly]

If you're looking for a cheap Victorian-style corset that's a good starter piece, I recommend to visit my company in UK.

[Aunty Lou]

Rani,
     Finding the right corset is as tasking and exhausting a job as trying to find a proper-fitting modern bra (I HATE bra-shopping!).  Many of us have at least three we cycle between.     
     That said, the most successful Rennaissance corset I've worn, being a short-waisted buxum lass, was one I made using the Elizabethan corset pattern generator.  (Don't have that to hand, but the fine ladies of this forum do...)  I used a slightly shorter measurement for it, and have been comfortable all day at Faire.
     The different shaped corsets created the then-fashionable body shape.  Early ones acted like Spanks to hold a body smooth, and corsets changed shape (alot!).  Even through the Victorian era, there's differences between the 1840's short hour-glass and the 1890's Gibson Girl S-bend...
     Try them all, and find your good fit, and maybe you can avoid "corset-gasm" at the end of a long day at Faire!

[Rani Zemirah]

Thank you, Aunty Lou... but unfortunately I find the Elizabethan silhouette to be extremely unflattering for my body type, so I avoid it, period.  I do love the look of the Victorian-esque shape, however, and I'm not at all concerned with being historically correct, so I tend to gravitate toward that look.  Being a fan of Steampunk lends strength to the preference, as well...    That said, I do also love the look of the Moresca Pirate bodice, with it's lovely peplum and shoulder ruffles which create such a lovely silhouette... and I'm quite sad that I won't be able to wear mine this season, since I'm losing weight and it already laces completely closed on me.  By April, when our season begins, it could be quite a bit too big, (although I'm going to try ladder lacing it) and I'm hoping I can trade it for another of the same style, in a smaller size!  It's also the most comfortable bodice I've ever owned, and I would definitely spend the money on another if I could afford it!