Monday, January 27, 2014

Corsets and Cosplay

1940's Retro Catwoman
with the Batmobile
I was recently on a shopping binge at an upscale boutique decided to try on yet another corset, having found one to my liking. While taking said corset to a dressing room the overly perky sales girl asked me if I had ever worn a corset before. *smirk*


I must admit I occasionally forget not everyone knows of my love of vintage clothing and cosplay.  My current personal selection of corsets is around 10-12 and the stock is always growing and changing. So naturally I told her "Why, no I have not…" just to see if she could offer me any little pearls of wisdom when it comes to wearing one.  You never know when someone is going to drop that "Why didn't I think of that" gem in your lap.

As a costumer, corsets are a vital part of my wardrobe and I would like to take this opportunity to share some of the pearls of wisdom I have picked up over the years.

Before you even put it on go to the powder room and take care of your "business!"  Do not wait, because once it is properly laced properly it will apply pressure to your bladder.  It is so much easier to go to the ladies before the corset is on.  Preparation beats regret any day.  Also, anything that requires bending, do before you lace-up. (i.e. shoes, stockings…)  I am not a Chinese Acrobat therefore cannot contort into the unnatural positions that will be required to finish dressing once the corset is laced.   


Now you are ready to put the corset on.  Loosen the laces entirely and open the front.  One you are properly in the corset close the busk closures (the front closures of the corset).  For me I then stretch my arms toward the ceiling, which creates awesome cleavage.  Manually adjust if necessary.  I have from time to time laced my own corset although I do not recommend it.  It always helps to have someone lace it for you.  Do not over tighten the laces at first.  Over-lacing can cause the busk closures to snap off rendering the corset unusable.  I normally have mine readjusted to tighten things up as needed. Remember, it is a process, lace, relax, lace, relax, until you get where you need to be with it.  Try to do it all at once and you end up an uncomfortable mess. 

Waist training is the art of tight-lacing a corset to drastically modify the size of your waistline.  I do not waist train so I do not claim to be an expert on any of this.  I can usually reduce my waist by about 5 inches and it helps with my posture!

When purchasing a corset, it should fit snuggly but not be unbearable to wear. Steel boning is a must. If a corset does not have steel boning it will often buckle and dig into your waist. It is not uncommon for me to wear a corset for 8-10 hours at a convention so comfort is everything in this notoriously uncomfortable garment. I know several people who have or are waist training and will wear one for up to 23 hours....yikes!

Armored Wonder Woman

And honestly how do you create a Wonder Woman cosplay without a red corset?!?

Back to the overly friendly sales girl, what was her pearl of wisdom for me? "You may want someone to help lace you up." Really!?!?

 
 


 


 




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