| Corsetry
Tips and FAQs
Here we have put together a few useful tips that
will help a corset wearer.
If you have any questions that you would like
answered with regards to corsets, please do not
hesitate to email your question to us via the email
link that can be found on our contacts page. We
will post and answer your questions on this page.
The most important aspect of a corset is Fit.
Fit,
and comfort of a corset is of paramount importance. ‘Off-the-rack’ garments
are made to standard sizes; there are few women
that are of standard size. You will soon find abrasions
here and chafing there and bones poking at your
flesh everywhere! These are possible acceptable
for costume and short term wear.
Taking your measurements, your own thoughts. Fittings
and consultations of what you: as an individual
want. Requires a considerable amount of skill,
talent, and a great deal of time. Hence, the cost
can be high.
Every
quality garment is constructed with a horizontal "waist-tape," positioned
about the narrowest point for the entire circumference.
This adds strength to the garment, improving durability.
However, if it is placed on the inside (against
the skin), it may cause abrasion and discomfort,
most notably when tight lacing.
Always be sure that the corset you purchase has
its waist-tape built into the inner portion of
the garment, i.e. between one or two layers of
material. Very Important!
After you have your corset partially tightened
about your waist, stretch your arms into the air
and wriggle your whole body.
This settles the garment snugly around your waist
and expedites the final tightening process!
Never open your front busk whilst tightly laced,
nor fail to loosen the laces completely before
taking of your corset. You risk breaking or bending
the busk.
There is always been a controversy about whether
or not to wear a corset with the lacings completely
closed.
Some wearers feel that a small gap necessary to
give the stays some flexibility, acting as a ‘spring’.
Indeed, a stronger argument is that an open gap
protects the spinal cord from abrasion.
Others find that, aesthetically, there is nothing
more pleasing than a closed corset. The argument
further states that a closed corset is stronger.
You choose!
Many
find the creaking of leather corsets to be a
rather pleasing sound. But for those of you
that don’t, it can be miniminized by silicon
spray, and by rotating your daily corset wear
(never wear the same corset two days in a row).
Also, make sure your corsets are made with long
enough stay-steels, or they might move and cause
creaking. Another cause is completely closed
lacings. While aesthetically pleasing, they tend
to rub together and make noise at times.
A
corset must be given the time to breath and "regain
it's composure."
Always alternate between two corsets every other
day and......NEVER roll your unused corset when
not wearing it.
Let it hang over a chair during its "rest" period.
You will find it ready to serve you with a "new" feeling.
And, of course, NEVER let anyone else even "try
on" your lovely stays. They will be ruined!
Ideally,
a corset should be dry-cleaned. However dry
cleaners that would handle corsets can be
few and far between. Unless you know of a theatrical
or bridal specialised cleaner in your area. A
corset should be dry cleaned, but if you must
wash one do it so:
1. Wash the corset by hand in warm not hot water,
NEVER in a washing machine, and wash in a mild
powder and in a non-biological detergent, as they
tend to attack the materials. They are all right
for modern clothing that aren't expected to last
very long, but corsets are put under a lot of stress
and any deterioration will vastly shorten its life.
2. Rinse well in running cold water - do not try
to wring it, just swish around until the water
runs clear.
3. Wrap in a highly absorbent towel and rub gently
to remove as much moisture as possible.
4. Dry on a frame, as you would a real wool garment,
and NEVER place near a heat source like a radiator,
as it can warp the steels and cause uneven drying,
which will warp the garment itself.
Corsets should not be washed frequently, as the
metalwork, even though it may be stainless, will
exhibit some corrosion, which will eventually show.
The reason that Victorian women wore a chemise
under, and a cover over their corsets was so that
they didn't then need washing too frequently. They
had more experience with these garments so heed
the wisdom of our ancestors. |
