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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.
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