No matter how many times I tell you girls ‘you should be comfortable in your corset’ I still get emails about uncomfortable experiences asking ‘is the discomfort normal?’ No! So here’s my low down on how to stay comfy in your corset:

Eating Habits

One of the biggest changes you’ll have to make is to your eating habits. Meal size is the biggest factor; meal size and regularity. You MUST eat little and often to stay comfortable in your corset! Meals should be healthy and well balanced. Drinking cold drinks with your food is advised against as they can stop you feeling full and result in over eating. You should take care to eat carbohydrates regularly too, as otherwise your intestine walls can stick together under the pressure of you corset. This leads to sluggishness in the bowel which is just plain ‘not nice’.

Corset Undergarments

While pretty frilly underwear sounds like it fits in nicely with the corseted image, remember; corsets are heavy-duty constructions and the pressure they create will cause the stretching and ripping of delicate fabrics. Not to mention the nice seam lines you’ll find imprinted on your skin. Instead invest in a chemise or seamless undergarment and save those frillies for special occasions. You want comfort 90% of the time, right?

Skin Care

You’re going to end up with dry skin, what with the pressure on it and the lack of fresh air. You can almost completely eliminate the problem with a good moisturiser. Its very important you apply moisturizing oils or lotions to your skin at every possible opportunity. You should then pat on some fragrance free talc or cornstarch powder, which will help with perspiration. 

Lacing

When you don your corset the laces should be loose enough to close the busk without applying force. The same goes for taking off – the laces should be loose before unclasping the busk. 

As you lace up little by little, give a bit of a wiggle – stretch and wriggle your body sufficiently between tugs to settle it into the corset as it gets tighter. If you don’t do this you’ll feel like your body is wrestling the corset when you’re laced up. 

Size progression

How many times do I have to tell you over-eager ladies, size progression should be gradual. Slow and steady wins the waist! The key to waist training is consistency. If you feel uncomfortable in your corset, after only a few days your going to loose all incentive to carry on. Also remember, your body needs time to acclimatise, your after a big change in organ placement and rib shape – that’s not going to happen overnight. Be good to your body.

Your body also loves regularity so going long periods without a corset will ruin your waist training. If you really must take it off for days at a time, get yourself a good quality waist corset or wide training belt. A waist corset will keep your internal organs in place.

Corset Material

Some people say this is down to personal preference, that a leather corset moulds to the body or a latex corset aids loss of fat through perspiration. But to be honest these features hinder as much as help and for long-term comfort it has to be 100% cotton. Or be as near to 100% as possible – a two layered corset should have a cotton lining. Cotton is the most breathable material used to make corsets and cotton coutil is a material specially made for corsets. I recommend no other material for corset making, (see my corset making posts for more info).

It’s also prudent to remember that, just like your body, and regardless of material, corsets require a ‘breaking-in’ period, normally 3-5 wearings. So take it extra easy when starting to corset train or moving to a new waist sized corset. Otherwise you and your corset just aren’t going to mesh!

To keep the material strong and give it a brake from the tension you should (if at all possible) wear a different corset on alternate days. And lastly DON’T roll your corset up, for Patricia’s sake; it ruins the shape your corset has moulded to from your body. Store your corset on a hanger or over a chair back – don’t squash it between wears. 

Follow these steps and get yourself that waist corset for between wears and you’ll be looking like Cathy Jung in no time! 😉