Transgender

Forum











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 night’s 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


Back to
TGF's
Home Page