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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.