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Corsetry Comfort
(How To Stay Comfortable In Your Stays)
By Tes Staylace
Copyright L.I.S.A.
Hello all you corset lovers! March sees another article on corsetting from
Tes Staylace on TG Forum. I am happy to once more join all the
girls here for a monthly informational niche. Next month, this
column will be once more devoted to petticoats. We will continue
to alternate between "Petticoat Pond" and
"Tightlacing Topics" each month (my URL
for petticoats is http://www.pettipond.comFeel free
to write me at staylace@staylace.com! All e-mail will be answered.
Comfort is of utmost importance to
those who desire to indulge in the art of tightlacing. If a lady
does not FEEL good when wearing her stays, then the incentive to
continue dissipates. In view of this, here are a few meaningful
considerations:
Of course, the most important aspect is
fit. An off-the-rack garment is useless when it comes to comfort.
You will soon find abrasions here and chafing there and bones
poking at your flesh everywhere! If you cannot consult with a
corsetiere personally, then use the very detailed measurement
guides supplied by all reputable corset manufacturers. Study your
figure carefully and make sure the number of measurements are
ample--length measurements are as important as circumferal
measurements.
In the case of a short corset, the
steels of the garment must be kept clear of your hipbone.
Garments that cover the bust, even
slightly, should not too tight at that point; the best solution
is to have a laced adjustment at that point. Of course, the
length covering the bust is important as well--a half an inch can
make all the difference between agony and comfort.
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. But if it is placed on the
inside (against the skin), it may cause abrasion and discomfort,
most notably when tightlacing. 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!
Regarding laces and lacing: The eyelet
holes should be manufactured in such a manner that those near the
waist are closer together than the others. This enhances the
sense of firmness and support. In addition, the lacings should be
flat and not round (use nylon rather than cotton for longer
life). When you don your garment, the laces should be loose and
the busk should close easily--no exertion should be required; all
the firmness should be acquired by lace-tightening. When removing
the garment, the laces should be VERY loose before unclasping the
busks.
A good corsetiere will allow for a give
of about one inch in the corset before it "settles
down". The end result of lacing should be EVEN laces all the
way up and down. Not only does this produce more comfort, but
prolongs the life of the stays. If you feel more comfortable with
the laces looser at the top and/or bottom than in the center,
then you are NOT wearing a properly-fitted garment and the
corsetiere should be taken to task!
For comfort and protection, the best
item to wear under your corset is a tube fashioned of something
called "bathing suit" material (spandex). Anything else
might cause perspiration (ladies CAN sweat!) and lingerie might
tear too easily. With this tube underneath, one need not be too
concern about an insert under the laces, which reputable
manufacturers provide with their corsets. If you insist on
wearing nothing underneath, then these inserts will prevent the
skin from being pinched as the lacings are tightened. Talc under
the tube is also recommended. If a lingerie bodice or chemise is
used, it should be front-opening. When donned, the top buttons
should be left open to the waist until the corset is snug, then
closed. This will offer some minimal protection against tearing,
as well as define a smoother fit, without wrinkles (which could
cause discomfort). As you are lacing down little by little, it is
advisable to wiggle and stretch your body extravagantly after
each tug-in; this allows for better adjustment of the body to the
garment and makes the next tug-in easier, particularly with a
corset you have worn before. It also feels good!
If possible, a different corset should
be worn on alternate days. In this manner, the strain on the
garment will be relaxed and it will spring aback to a more firm
shape, providing the firmness and contour you expect without the
discomfort of newness. On the "off" day, the stays
should be hung over a rail or chair--do NOT roll them tightly and
put them away!
Night corsets, if worn, should be about
two inches larger than the day corset. Usually, the best way the
handle this is to wear an older corset to bed, instead of your
presently used one.
This allows the waist to remain in
place while getting a good nights sleep. When pursuing a
waist reduction regimen (see my article entitled "Embracing
a Labour of Love"), use your last progression corset fully
laced closed. Why waist (sic) a perfectly good garment?
The secret of tightlacing is that it
CAN be done in relative comfort--and you can concentrate on the
enjoyment of feeling hugged all the day through!
Copyright --Tes Staylace
--Tes Staylace
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