The Inevitable Visit from "Aunt Flo"

As a woman I am NOT accustomed to waiting with hopeful expectation for “Aunt Flo” to pay her monthly visit.  Like most women it is a most dreaded time and one of few times I don't like being a girl.  While I am attending to my monthly,  I would prefer to stay home for a couple of days dressed in old sweatpants eating dark chocolate & Cheetos and drinking wine to numb the pain.  About the only time most women find themselves eagerly awaiting the return of the monthly curse is to make sure there is not a bouncing oops-a-baby in the near future.

This, however, is not always the case with cosplay girls. 



WWII Bomber Pilot Robin

As I sit here writing, I am hyper-aware that today marks the 7 day countdown to a big Comic-con I am preparing to attend.  During this Con I will be debuting my latest and greatest design, an awesome WWII inspired Robin, along with my oldest daughter as my WWII Paratrooper Batman counterpart.  My costume features form fitting pants, red steel boned under bust corset, and an ammo belt which is to ride low on my hips.  Of course, the timing couldn't be any worse as I also begin to notice those little signs that my not-so-beloved Aunt may be on her way with her affection for puffiness, bloating, and bitchiness.  I cannot tell you how stressed I am about this as the days tick by.  The last thing I want is to prepare to wow the crowds as a smoking hot Robin and come off more like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man.

I work out regularly, but I am a woman in my 40s and can be very self-conscience about extra pounds showing up here and there.  Especially AFTER I spend months constructing a new costume.  Every event I attend, I find myself on the show floor in full costume alongside 20-somethings who are the picture of perfect health and physique.  I am not very easily intimidated but I am aware that I am not a spring chicken and have birthed a couple of children.  Ok, maybe I am easily intimidated, but you have to give me props that I can still do this at my age.    

Just for shits & giggles I decided to mention my dilemma to my daughter and her reaction was about the same…at first she laughed at me…then I could see reality set in on her face…she was counting days too. After all, there is that whole synchronized periods issue with women in the same house.  Don't hate me, but I had to smile to myself when I saw the realization come into her eyes.  At least I wouldn't be alone in my misery.

 

So for the rest of the week I will sit here with my fingers crossed praying that Aunt Flo shows up and leaves on time…and the rest of the week trying to count how many days I have left before I am and out of Puffiville.  But just in case, wish me luck that in all my suffering and impatience I do not choke out some 20 year-old skinnier-than-necessary Harley Quinn at the Con.  

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!?!?