Orchard Corsets?

[LadyAsh]

Does anyone have any corsets from this place? http://www.orchardcorset.com/

I was thinking of giving them a go, and buying one of their corsets for faire.

[isabelladangelo]

I have not but they look psuedo Victorian in nature.  Is there a reason you want those rather than Elizabethan stays?

If you are looking for a Victorian corset, some things to keep in mind:

Metal boning is awesome.  Duct ties are awesome.  Those featherweight boning?  Not so much. 

Most corsets were out of cotton or linen for a reason.  You'll learn that reason within 15 minutes of a 90 F day.  Stay (Far!) away from anything "satin" since that translates to "garbage bag/polyester"


I'd suggest looking towards some more re-enactor supply stores rather than the fetish stuff -the corsets will last longer and are made better in general.

[LadyAsh]

Thanks for that info!
I was browsing their website because I came across them via YouTube, and I liked the look of their corsets. I'm pretty new with searching for renn garb. I was also checking the Moresca(sp?) site and liked the look of their garb.

[gem]

I poked around a little at their website, and agree that the look is definitely more modern or Victorian. However, everything I saw was boned with spiral steel (a flexible metal boning that allows for the dramatic curviness of Victorian corsetry). I didn't seen mention of featherweight boning.

I'm guessing the original poster is actually looking for outerwear, not an undergarment. The usual Renwear term is a bodice (not to be confused with the bodice portion of a gown), which is made from pretty fabrics and meant to be worn as your outermost layer. Typical true Renaissance-era corsets are much plainer (since they're not seen).

Corset:


Bodice:

(by Moresca, actually!)

[Lady Christina de Pond]

well to me they look like an knock off from alice and willow on etsy

[Rani Zemirah]

Of course, there are LOTS of women who wear corsets to Faire, and love them... so if you want to wear one, then go for it!  I'm planning on buying another one soon, myself... and I've been eyeing one from this site, as well!    


Lady C, they're actually an outlet for Crepe-Suzette, who designs most of their line.

[isabelladangelo]

Go with Moresca.  You'll be much more comfortable. 

Side note:  Gem, although many stays (pairs of bodies) were worn undergowns, many also weren't. 
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Joris_Hoefnagel_Fete_at_Bermondsey_c_1569.png

The lady in the front right has a lovely blue pair of stays with a pink skirt!

[isabelladangelo]

http://www.elizabethancostume.net/corsets/history.html

Just some great information that is very relevant to this thread.

[Rani Zemirah]

I've never quite been able to understand why women wanted to wear something that would flatten out their natural shape so much that it must have been painful at times... and I really haven't ever seen the "cone" or even the "cylinder" shape as being all that flattering.  The Victorian silhouette is much more feminine, and you don't have to create an artificial "bum", either!  

[isabelladangelo]

I've never quite been able to understand why women wanted to wear something that would flatten out their natural shape so much that it must have been painful at times... and I really haven't ever seen the "cone" or even the "cylinder" shape as being all that flattering.  The Victorian silhouette is much more feminine, and you don't have to create an artificial "bum", either!  

Actually, it's never painful -whereas the Victorian corset can be if worn incorrectly and laced too tight.   However, most Victorian women didn't lace too tightly given an average of a 24"~26" waist.  Most people today can achieve a good 4" reduction with a standard corset.  Also, the Victorians had the bustle.  That's most certainly an articical bum if there ever was one!

The Elizabethan shape is very comfortable.  It keeps everything where it should be.  I love my stays and can wear them for hours without a problem.   I adore my 18th C stays -which give a slightly different shape- but work in a similar method.  Honestly, if I could, I'd wear the 18th C stays everyday to work!  Much better!

Also, remember, we are still stuck with Victorian fashion ideals.  (I've had to give my boss the "here's why I can wear jeans to work!" lecture with a nice LONG fashion history lesson. )  We are also very much products of the Victorian culture.  Fashionable shapes change due to cultural ideals up until recently.  It's really only been since the end of the Victorian age with been stuck with one fashionable shape...which few women can achieve without artificial means!

[Rani Zemirah]

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

[LadyAsh]

Wow, I learned a lot that I never new before. I really like all the information that is out there.

[isabelladangelo]

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

I'm a long waisted hourglass figure.   I've been making my own for about four years now.   For the Elizabethan, it doesn't have to be fully boned.  Try the Elizabethan Corset Generator to create your pattern.  All you really need is a "fashion" fabric, some linen or cotton lining, and canvas or buckram.  For boning, you just need two bones in the front and two bones at the sides, minimum.   My current pair of bodices has six bones on either side on the front and three in the back.  That's it to get this:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jubileel/5682133109/" title="cc29meandsteph by jubileel_insaneone, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5682133109_681d162ce6_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="cc29meandsteph"></a>

(Me in the black velvet and pink stays.  The other lady is wearing 18th C)

They really are not that difficult to make.  Victorian corsets are WAY Harder.   

[Rani Zemirah]

That's why I just want to buy one...  LOL  I actually prefer the underbust look and feel, anyway, and really like an even lower waisted cincher, since every corset I've ever worn has been too long, and even my bodice that was made to my measurements is still a tiny bit long for me, as well.  I don't like the way most corsets feel on my upper back, and I can't stand for them to push up under my arms, either.  I DO like the C-curve cinching effect of the Victorian, though, because it accentuates my waist-to-hip ratio...  I just think that look is much more flattering for my body type than one that turns my torso into a cone and flattens my bosom.  Hard to do with my shape without it being rather painful, as well... and it doesn't do a lot for the look of my hips, either. 

Everyone has different styles that are flattering to their particular shape, though... and no matter what someone is wearing, if they feel good in it, then it will enhance their appearance. 

[DonaCatalina]

I've never quite been able to understand why women wanted to wear something that would flatten out their natural shape so much that it must have been painful at times... and I really haven't ever seen the "cone" or even the "cylinder" shape as being all that flattering.  The Victorian silhouette is much more feminine, and you don't have to create an artificial "bum", either!  

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.