Tips, Tricks, and Tools of the Corsetry Trade {part 3}

Don’t forget to check out Part I: Curious about Corsetry and Part II: How to Buy a Corset!

♥ Buy from Reputable Sellers; check feedback EVERYWHERE; get firm commitments on dates; negotiate price plans.
I feel that this could (and probably should) be a post all on its own. Given the nature of corsets, they are long term products to create. It’s not unusual for a custom corset to take from 6 weeks to 3 months to create. As such, oftentimes your Paypal or credit card protection can expire before you receive your goods.

I’ve read many, many stories about buyers being screwed out of money from corset makers. It’s very difficult, as you are often entrusting a large sum of money to a person who is promising to deliver goods. There are many once respected sellers who have completely destroyed their reputations by providing subpar products or no products at all. This isn’t to frighten you, but to remind you, that there are many bad and untrustworthy people, no matter what field or niche it may be.

Make sure you gets dates: dates for when the mock-up should be done & to you, when the corset should be completed. If the corsetiere offers a payment plan, take advantage of it– it will help to protect you in the event something goes awry–then you won’t be out all of your money and it may be easier to argue for payment in the past.

♥ Places & People to Shop From: This is just a very small sampling of the places you can get corsets, both off-the-rack and custom.  Several of these I have shopped from, several girlfriends have bought from & loved, or I have heard many, MANY positive reviews about them.
Trashy Diva carries a variety of sellers, including Isabella. While they sell in house off-the-rack corsets, they have custom ordered pieces in the past.
Timeless Trends creates underbust corsets, off-the-rack. I would buy one of these myself for a casual piece to wear, and would recommend it for first time corset wearers. They are almost all $99.
Gallery Serpentine, based from Australia. They offer off-the-rack and custom pieces, and I have heard many wonderful comments about them. There are several I’m eying as well.
House of Worship is based from Canada. Chantal creates exquisite pieces. I just sold my striped underbust by her not too long ago, and I would absolutely work with her again.
Blood Drop Corsets. Astrid receives great feedback among her fans, and I know that Libby of Exoskeleton Cabaret swears by them.
The Corsetiere has an excellent list of all Custom Corsetmakers & Companies they could think of. I did note a few on there that have iffy reputations– so definitely do your research on them!

♥ Styling
Michelle at Decline Designs thought it would be great if I could provide suggestions on how to style a corset, so you don’t look like a Dominatrix or Ren-Fair wannabe. This is a GREAT topic to bring up, as I see it pop up often on the Corsetry community.

How to Wear a Corset by Ashe Mischief featuring Forever21 watches

In this first set, I wanted to tone down the outfit since the underbust corset was so vibrant and wild. Going all black didn’t seem right either, though. I focused on the texture of the ruffles & fringe to add more depth, while using soft pink to complement the black and floral pattern.  A skirt with some gathering at the waist can prevent any “bulge” from showing.  I can guarantee I want this outfit myself!

How to Wear a Corset (2) by Ashe Mischief featuring Daytrip tops

Corsets are one of my favorite pieces for a night at the bars & clubs.  But I’ve seen a lot of corsets worn badly out.   When in a fetish-y fabric like vinyl, I like to tone down the fetish and pull out playfulness.  Above are a handful of pieces that can be mixed and matched amongst themselves for endless wearability.  With the exception of the petticoat and corset, you may even have similar pieces in your wardrobe already.  It’s nice to be able to take a piece from business to the bar, and maximize your cost per wear.

For a woman who styles corsets like no body else, check out Amelia Arsenic’s Fashion Files. She’s an amazing collection of corsets and outstanding style, too!

♥ Tips & Tricks
♥ My girl friend Kara recommends loosely lacing up an hour before an event. Give yourself time to eat, use the restroom, put on your shoes (!), and finish lacing in the remainder of the way. She also recommends lace yourself in before eating, so that you don’t get cramps from putting your corset on.
♥ If you’re wearing multiple layers under your corset (bloomers, tights, panties), I recommend tearing a hole in the crotch of your tights and wearing your panties or bloomers over them. Panties are far easier to get down than tights are from under a corset. Another alternative is stockings.
♥ Consume alcohol slowly. I’m not sure if there is scientific evidence on this, but it seems that alcohol enters your blood stream more slowly when you’ve got a corset on. My ladies & I had a many a night when we were suddenly hit by a WHOOOSH! of liquor and ended up more buzzed than we thought.
♥ To prevent back cleavage, lace in your corset half way.  Reach & stretch your arms above your head (and this helps get your corset’s waist at your waist), stretch side to side.  Then adjust the girls as needed, and lace in the remainder of the way.
♥ How to put on your corset, lace yourself in, and take your corset off:

♥ Kara isn’t a fan of wearing skirts or shirts with buttons on them, as they leave funny indents. I haven’t noticed too much, so I think your mileage will vary (based on how much you lace down and your squishiness).
♥ If you’re wearing an underbust, you may find that it’s more comfortable if your bras underwire and the top of your corset aren’t overlapping.
♥ Kara likewise suggests wearing a liner or something underneath your corset, so as to avoid lace burn when tightening down!
♥ Most importantly– if it hurts, something is wrong!

♥ Resources:
Following the below three communities, I’ve gained much of the knowledge I have today. They can be truly invaluable resources.
The Corsetiere
Corsetry
Corsetmakers
There are amazing & countless books for information, and the Corsetmakers community seems to have information, reviews, and feedback on them all.

Any tips or tricks you’d like to add? Corsetmakers whose work you swear by and will shop with until eternity?