Over the next 30 days, I'll be trying out the Brocade Underbust corset from Hourglass Angel. I've never done any serious waist training, wearing a corset all day, every day. Due to my lifestyle, I don't think I'll do anything that extreme this time around. I'll be wearing it throughout the morning and afternoon, while I do my housework and hobbies and following a smart diet and exercise plan. Let's see how it goes over the next several weeks!
I've chosen the Brocade Underbust corset , which laces up the back with steel boning throughout, which I can wear over or under most things. Since I have a short waist, I thought the 10 1/2 inch length of this one would be good to try, nothing pinching or riding up. I like an underbust corset too, so I can wear any bra I like and the center front is gently curved at the bottom, not pointed, which is important for me for sitting comfort.
For the first week, I've been seasoning (or breaking in) my corset. I added new laces to mine. This corset comes with one lace, so you can have it tie at either the top or the bottom. I like it to tie in the middle, so I added a second lace. Seasoning a corset is so important to get yourself used to wearing it and get the corset to shape to your body over time without damaging it or hurting yourself. I've been wearing mine around the house for short periods of time, laced snug but not tight. While seasoning your corset, you should be able to fit a few fingers between yourself and the corset.
I thought you all might enjoy this fun video from British Pathe about corsets and padding used to create the Dior New Look in the late 1940s. Check out that gal's corseted waist!
Stay tuned next week for an update on week two of 30 days of corset wearing for some before and after pics and we'll talk about eating, moving, sitting and going about your day in a corset.
* corset provided c/o Hourglass Angel*
This is a really interesting and fun experiment, which I've been thinking of doing myself, since I already own several very expensive corsets, but hardly ever use them. I will stay tuned for the next update. Have fun while looking great as always, dear. :)
ReplyDeleteI have three from Orchard Corset that I haven't worn. I'll join you! Will you be posting OOTD?
ReplyDeleteHahaha! I erased three times that you will get negative comments, but I, thought, "No, people wouldn't do that here"! When I was considering getting a corset, I researched gobs, hours, days worth of information, both pros and cons. I saw that the con information was based on hearsay, old drawn pictures from the 1800s, and old wives tales. Dr. Oz even tried to claim wearing corsets was unsafe, but his methods were easily disproved. As with ALL things in life, moderation, and listen to your body.
DeleteI'm dying to get one of their mesh ones. Do you have one of those? I've heard nothing but rave reviews from that one! I'll definitely post some outfits with it on the outside and underneath.
DeleteI do have their beige mesh, pink satin, and black cotton, all C411s. I also changed out the laces to the satin ones. I have gotten very lazy about wearing them because of the heat here in CA Sierra Mountains. I haven't conditioned the pink one yet. I like how they feel, like a hug!
DeleteI love your blog so much. It makes me sad that my first comment will be a negative one! Have you researched that negative effect and even dangers of wearing a corset? Some doctors are saying that even Spanx can be damaging to tour health. I hope you look into this further before you do it.
ReplyDeleteI have! I've researched corsets for longer than I've been blogging. I've sewn several historical corsets and I have a lot of friends who wear them regularly. Corsets are not dangerous if you know how to wear them and if you wear them the right way. As I mentioned in the post, I'm wearing mine for maybe 2 hours per day while I do my daily chores. Not wearing it to bed, not exercising in it, just wearing it around the house or maybe when I go out. I don't plan on cinching down to an 18 inch waist or anything like that, it's not my cup of tea. High heels are incredibly dangerous too. You can fall and break a bone and over time, they cause plantar fascitis, which my mom suffers from. But I don't go running in heels, I don't wear them in the shower, I don't wear fetish heels like Bettie Page so I'll probably be okay. Same goes with Spanx. Any tight undergarment can cause yeast infections (pantyhose!) but you take them off when you get home, you wear clean underwear, you're smart about it! Like the other commenter said, you have to listen to your body. If you're uncomfortable at any time while wearing a corset, it's time to take it off. If it causes pain, it's time to stop wearing it and figure out what you're doing wrong! There's a really great article on the Orchard Corset blog with some wonderful links about corset benefits and discussing the media's ideas that corsets are dangerous and I think they're definitely worth a read! http://orchardcorsetblog.com/2015/07/14/corset-qa-episode-43-are-corseting-and-waist-training-dangerous/
DeleteYikes! I guess if we worried about every potentially harmful piece of clothing we wore we'd stay in pyjamas all day. :o)
DeleteI am so excited to see what your review on wearing a corset is! I have been contemplating trying an underbust corset myself, but am still hesitant, so hearing your opinion will be so valuable!
ReplyDeleteHope it goes well!
Brigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
I was a professional ballet dancer and some of our costumes had a corset-like bodice with boning - the works! At first I hated it so much, I couldn't wait to get it off. It felt like a creepy shell. But I got used to them and began to like the feeling! It also reminds you to maintain good posture with the upper back and shoulders and doesn't let you lift heavy things improperly. So you feel more elegant (except for the lifting heavy things part). Just as long as you can breathe unhindered. We always had plenty of room to expand our ribgaces fully and let the abdomen move for breathing. The first thing we were asked to do in fitting them was to jump or run around and make sure we could exert ourselves without dropping from asphyxia.
ReplyDeleteI never had 12 pieces of boning, though! Looking forward to hearing how it goes. Always enjoying your blog.
What a fascinating career! I've already noticed that my usual backache from poor posture is much better and Im careful to keep the lacing pretty loose as I break it in.
DeleteI've just got my first 2 corsets from Orchard Corsets and I LOVE them. I got the black mesh wespie one and it is so incredibly comfortable. It's a bit shorter than I ideally want to give me back support so I got another one in black cotton. It is awesome for the back support that I so desperately need. Both are fabulous for different reasons and I can't wait to have them both fully seasoned so I can wear them even more often. I look forward to seeing your reviews and progress.
ReplyDeleteShe Knits in Pearls
Enjoy your corset! I love mine from Orchard. I don't tightlace but can get an impressive reduction because I'm a bit squishy. I've noticed my back is much more comfortable after wearing a corset, and I believe it's the improvement in posture. Health wise - my doctors have seen me wearing corsets and don't mind. I have severe osteoarthritis in my spine, so they could easily complain. I don't wear heels, which are a bigger hazard to me.
ReplyDeleteDoes wearing a corset help at all with lower back issues? I've checked out the wrap bands used for back pain, and they're so ugly and bulky looking that I didn't get one.
ReplyDelete