Fit of Victorian corsets? Is this right?

[gem]

I bought a longline, overbust corset for an upcoming event. It's my first corset boned with steel or with a busk (the functional, opening-and-closing kind), and WOW is it different than what I'm used to in Renaissance/18th Century corsetry! (Aside from the fact that it weighs like twelve pounds! LOL)

I know you're supposed to "train" it to your body by wearing it for short periods and gradually tightening the laces as you wear it... but right now when Milord laces it up, the bottom front of it flares outward instead of tightening around my hips, so there is absolutely no compression around my lower abs (which is, erm, part of why I picked this particular style.  ).

Is this something that will relax/ease into shape as I "train" it? Or should I try a different one? I mean, obviously the current fit isn't correct, but I don't know if that means it just doesn't fit, or if I should be patient.  (For the record, I seem to have a similar problem in mundane clothing. I have a small waist but some lower ab fluff, and even pants with tummy control panels tend not to fit snugly enough where I need it.)

Thanks!!

[Kate XXXXXX]

Basically it sounds like it's too small round the hips.  You should be aiming for a parallel gap up the back of 2"-4".  If the corset fits properly, once you have had it on for an hour, you MAY be able to tighten it down a bit, but the back opening with the laces should stay parallel.  Unless you lose weight, this is all the adjustment you ever need to make.  if you are going for waist training to get that wasp-waisted look, that is an entirely different matter, and involves a gradual move towards corsets with decreasing waist circumferences while bust and hips remain the same.

[gem]

Thanks, Kate--that was exactly my thought, too. Their sizing guidelines followed the traditional wisdom to go 4" less than your waist measurement, which I did. Except I already *have* a nice hourglass figure, and my hips are a good 12" larger than my waist. I don't really need a 24" waist, but I would love a good fit around the hips/lower abs. So do you think I should go up 2" to the next size? My instinct with going even larger is that I won't be able to get it snug enough for good bust support (where I squish the most).

[Kate XXXXXX]

A Victorian corset doesn't squish the bust AT ALL.  It supports it from underneath.  If you have a squishy waist area, you might get a 4" reduction at the waist, but you need to go in stages.  There should be NO reduction at bust and hip.  That squish has to go somewhere, so tends to go down to the tummy and up to the bust and back.  If you have a curved tummy, go for a spoon busk, which will curve round it nicely.  If your tummy is reasonably flat, go for a straight busk.

[mollymishap]

Gem, have you checked out the http://www.farthingales.on.ca website?  They offer corset kits, plus some useful links to other resources that may be of help to you, including the http://www.staylace.com forum. 

In general, though, my suspicion is that any ready-to-wear corset you buy will have some issues, even though you gave them your measurements.  Without a "proper" fitting during the construction, it's going to be hard to get the look/support you're after.  Our bodies are just too different to all fit the same mold...er...corset. 

[gem]

Thanks, Molly! I wasn't expecting to get a perfect fit--although it's surprisingly well made, considering that it's off the rack and cost essentially nothing. I just couldn't tell how badly the fit was off and was looking for some perspective!

...And I owe you a response to your post in my leather thread!

[gem]

Update! Corset #2 from another dealer fits MUCH better! It's probably not as well made--there's not as much boning and it weighs only about a third what the first one did--but it's still nice and sturdy and curved where it should and compressed and lifted elsewhere, and Milord actually managed to lace me up *parallel,* which is a feat he has yet to master in my 'bethan.  The difference is amazing, and I am very pleased.

[mollymishap]

Yay!  I'm glad you found one that fits better.  Are you able to return the other one?

...And I owe you a response to your post in my leather thread!

YEA!   And also a response to the PM I sent you about a month ago, LOL!!!