How to Put on a Corset — No More a Struggle
You’ll probably find it difficult to believe that I can put on and remove my corset every day in less than a few minutes the first time you put one on, but it’s true! The corset and laces will feel stiff the first few times you put on your corset, but with practice, they will easily glide through the eyelets, speeding up the process significantly.
Table of Contents
What is Corseting
Wearing a corset every day to dramatically reduce your waistline—either hidden beneath other clothing or on display as part of a costume or special occasion outfit—is known as corseting. Every occasion in life is covered by the selection of corsets offered by Hourglass Angel, including postpartum and bridal corsets. Corseting falls under the umbrella of “waist training,” so it can be used to supplement your long-term slimming regiments (i.e. a healthy diet and exercise), but generally, the term refers specifically to steel-boned corsets, as opposed to latex waist trainers.
History of Corsets
The corset concept that we are familiar with today first gained popularity in the 1500s and 1600s. Women in the French court during this time idealized having a small waist. In order to flatten the stomach and draw attention to the fullness of the skirts and chest, corsets were worn as both outer and inner clothing.
Corsets & Cinchers
Contrary to popular belief, latex cinchers, also referred to as waist trainers, are not the same as steel-boned corsets. A cincher achieves a similar result by using compression materials and a hook-and-eye closure, as opposed to a steel-boned corset, which uses the boning and tightening of the laces to reduce waist size. While a cincher may be a little more versatile because it can sometimes be easier to conceal under clothing, a corset will produce more pronounced slimming effects. Some waist cinchers are also made specifically to be worn while exercising because the latex increases your body heat and perspiration. Many women who are committed to waist training discover that they love wearing both corsets and cinchers! It can be very convenient to have several options to rotate through your wardrobe.
How to Choose the Right Size
You want to be certain that you are using a waist trainer that fits properly before you begin corseting. Use a vinyl or fabric measuring tape to find your narrowest part of the waist, which is typically a few inches above the belly button where there is a natural bend in your torso. Maintain the tape’s flatness, but avoid pulling it so tightly that a finger cannot fit underneath.
How to Put on a Corset
Step 1: Untie the Laces
To put on the corset, you must first untie the laces. To begin, untie the back of the corset and hook your finger beneath each X that runs down the back. Start in the center, work your way out to top and bottom, and repeat, until the corset is very loose – go for about 6-10 inches of gap between the edges. Make sure that your “bunny ears” – the loopy pieces at the center of each side – are not pulled all the way flush to the corset – it will make it easier to find and pull them later in the process.
Step 2: Wrap Yourself in the Corset
Wrap yourself in the corset after that. Take it off and let the laces loosen a bit more if it’s too tight around the waist and you’re having trouble getting the busk to hook.
Step 3: Tighten the Laces
Tighten the laces of the corset (partially) by pulling on the “bunny ear” portion of the strings.
Step 4: Set the Modest Panel
Set the modest panel as desired. Under the laces, the corset has a flap of fabric attached to one side that covers your back. In order for it to lay flatter, smooth it out and grab and pull the corners. Repeat this step after finishing steps 5, 6, and 7 because you’ll need to keep adjusting the panel as you tighten the corset more.
Step 5: Tighten the Corset
Further, tighten the corset. Pulling on the Xs in the same manner as in step 1 is necessary for this, but this time, start at the top and bottom and move toward the center. Then pull your bunny ears in the middle. If your outer Xs are floppy and you are unable to locate the precise strings, ignore them and focus instead on the second/third to the top and second/third to the bottom (whichever is the easiest to find) before moving on to the center. The floppy string issue will be resolved in this way. Repeat until you have a nice neat row of X’s top to bottom – but the corset is not yet all the way tight to your form.
Step 6: Make Sure Your Busk
Make sure your busk, which is the metal hook portion at the front, is straight by turning around and looking in the front. The majority of us have a slightly asymmetrical shape to the torso, so if you don’t pay attention when lacing your corset, it might shape to your form incorrectly! If you notice a slant in your busk, grab the bottom of the corset and twist; grab the top of the corset and twist the opposite way; wiggle and keep twisting it until it is straight.
Check your bust while looking in the front. If you’re wearing a bra under your corset, the bra shouldn’t start below where the bust area of the corset starts to curve out. The bust area of the corset curves out and then in. If you choose to wear a corset without a bra underneath, be careful that no other women are attempting to wriggle free below the curve as well. If this happens, your corset won’t fit you properly because it won’t have enough room for your waist.
Step 7: Finish Constricting the Corset
It’s time to finish constricting the corset. Repeat Step 5’s instructions, pulling on the X’s from top/bottom to center, until your corset is as snug as you like. Finish by tying the bunny ears together and giving them one last tug before completing the bow.
Step 8: A “Breaking in” Time
The longer you wear your corset, the more it will gradually shape to your body. Some corsets require a “breaking in” time where you must wear the corset for hours loosely laced before you can cinch it down all the way and wear it in public. My unique hourglass corsets typically mold to the form very quickly and don’t need to be broken in. However, wearing it for a few hours on the day before your event will increase your overall level of comfort. Additionally, I’ve discovered that after a little break-in, the corset’s back will be tightened by about an additional inch.
How to Remove Your Corset
When taking off the corset, follow the same procedure as when putting it on: untie it, then loosen the laces in the back, then release the front busk clasp. NEVER unclasp your busk before adjusting your laces; doing so can weaken and eventually tear the stitches and fabric surrounding your busk.
Conclusion
In this article, we learn what a corset is, the history of corsets, the difference between corsets and cinchers, how to choose a corset’s size, and most importantly, how to put on a corset. Follow the guidance in this article to make the process of putting on a corset no more an ordeal.
FAQs
Do You Wear a Corset over Or under Clothes?
My response to this question, which is probably one of the most frequently asked, is always the same: whatever YOU prefer! Although it is definitely possible to conceal your waist training regimen by wearing a corset underneath your clothes, wearing a corset as outerwear can also be a lot of fun!
What Happens If You Wear a Corset Everyday?
If you wear your corset so often that you’re laced up more often than not and you don’t exercise, your core muscles will become “lazy” as they are being supported externally by your corset.
Do Corsets Slim Your Waist Permanently?
The Myth of Spot Reduction
“Corsets do not cause you to permanently lose fat in the midsection; they cause a re-distribution of the fat and organs in the trunk.” The premise behind these garments is that they “spot reduce” fat around the center of your body. “That’s an exercise misconception,” says Dr. Stephen D.
Are Corsets Unhealthy?
Women were frequently laced so tightly that it restricted their breathing and made them dizzy. Poor digestion may result from compressing the abdominal organs, and the back muscles may eventually deteriorate. The rib cage did in fact become deformed as a result of persistently tight lacing.
