Help, I'm being indecisive!

[Lady Neysa]

Ugh, I can't make up my mind on this bodice decision.  I thought I'd made up my mind to get a Moresca, but then I saw what Odd Bodkin has to offer, and I'm thinking the Countess bodice looks nice.  I've seen some of you mention them before, so, what are you're thoughts?  I can't tell from the pics how heavily boned it is, but it looks like it may only have boning at the grommets.  It doesn't look like there's any at the sides but I'm not sure.  I would need ample boning for the "girls" and all my curves.

Any thoughts on which one would give the best bang for the buck?  Or what body types they best suit?  Comfort?  Quality? 

I'm still probably leaning more towards the Moresca, but I'm not sure.

[bellevivre]

I'm not familiar with Odd Bodkin, but it looks like the one you mentioned is pretty much a longer interpretation of a Pendragon. Pendragons are boned at the lacing points, with a stiffened stomacher which has three pieces of flat steel inside- one vertical, which acts somewhat like a busk, and then two splaying outward.

Morescas seem to be boned more heavily, but it depends on which pattern you get- I am looking at getting thier Pirate bodice this year at TRF... or maybe a Max... if only companies would post boning diagrams on thier sites! I'll bet if you emailed them they'd be happy to tell you in more detail, though...

[Athena]

I'm not sure about Countess, but I own a Goddess and I love it. It's figure flattering, well made, and has strong boning. I've heard raves about the other bodices as well, from women of different body types. The one thing about Odd Bodkin Bodices is that they're longer in the torso, so you may want to get something made to your measurements.

Odd Bodkin also has great customer service and you can contact them if you have any questions.

[gem]

I don't own an Odd Bodkin, but I know Dev from another board, and she's fantastic (she was super-helpful with a fitting issue I was having with a gown I'm making).  Again, I do urge you to pop over to the Wenches' Guild board, where Dev *and* many Moresca fans commune, frequently discussing the merits and virtues of both companies' bodices.  Many of the women over there own both, and Dev posted recently when she developed the Countess.  My understanding (from looking at pictures of women wearing her bodices) is that they have PLENTY of boning.  Dev herself is quite well, um, "gifted," so she certainly knows all about support.

If you posted a thread called something like, "Odd Bodkin Countess vs Moresca Max," I think you'd get a good conversation going.

(Btw, I don't think Bellevivre meant it this way, but I wouldn't call Dev's work an "interpretation" of anything!  Although I do agree--it does look quite long, and if you're short-waisted that may be an issue.  However, multiple lacing points = major adjustability, which is always a good thing!)

[bellevivre]

lol no, i didnt! I just meant that they were structurally similar- layiing my frame of reference, if you will

eek I didnt mean to sound rude! 

[Lady Neysa]

Hmm..several of you have mentioned that the Bodkins are longer in the torso, so yes, that may be an issue.   I emailed Moresca, and they said a Max would probably work pretty well for me. They said that it's a medium length that works well with most body types whereas the pirate and faerie are longer.  Or I could go with one of their even shorter styles.. I'll figure it out eventually. 

By the way, this will be my first major bodice purchase.  The one I have now is a cheap, flimsy thing that never has fit or supported me very well.  I look forward to wearing a properly fitting one, (or at least one that fits better), so, this is a pretty big decision! 

[Celtic_Fae]

I happen to prefer Odd Bodkin over Moresca due to a customer service issue I had, but I do agree that both are of good quality.

[CapnFayeCutler]

I prefer Odd Bodkin to Moresca, but that's because I prefer how their bodices fit. I'm only 5'2" and the legnth of the waist has never been a problem. I know a few other ladies who are short waisted like me and the bodices look great on them. I own 3 Odd Bodkins, and I just sold the Moresca I had. Both are really good quality though.