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- How do I get one of your corsets?
- Why do people wear corsets?
- What is the difference between 'off the rack' and 'custom' corsets?
- Do you make corsets for men?
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- How do I put my corset on?
- How do I take care of my corset?
- How do I know what size will fit me?
- What are your corsets made of?
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You can order off the rack corsets through this website. If you live in Los Angeles or are planning a visit, you can contact us directly via e-mail or phone to select your size and fabric. Occasionally, Lovely Creature will vend at various events around the country. These events will always be listed in advance in "Upcoming Events". For custom pieces, contact us for a fitting date!
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Historically, corsets were an integral part of everyday dress for all classes of women - they shaped the fashionable silhouette of the day. One simply did not question their existence because there was no alternative. Today, wearing a corset is a choice freely made by those who want to, for a variety of reasons. Many people wear a corset when they get dressed up to go out to clubs or events- they like the way it pulls an outfit together and they like the shape. Many also like the feeling of being laced into a corset, the constriction and the way it changes how you breathe. Women with a large bust often find that being supported by a corset is more comfortable than wearing a bra! Some people like the ability to temporarily change their bodies - there is no commitment as with surgery. For some, it contributes greatly to having a positive body image. Some men like corsetry for its ability to mold their bodies into a more feminine shape; some men just like to wear corsets. We have Fakir and Mr. Pearl to thank for so much of our modern ideas about corsets, particularly regarding people who corset as part of their day-to-day life; this is usually called tightlacing and is a form of body modification. Like any serious change made to one's original structure, tightlacing should be approached with care and much information and research. At the very least, tightlacers should have a corset custom made for them out of cotton coutil - this will allow the skin to breathe and reduce the risk of any damage due to an ill-fitting corset. The Long Island Staylace Association has an incredible web site - www.staylace.com - that has a wealth of information regarding all aspects of corsetry. The "Medical Advice" section is truly fascinating! It is interesting that this single garment has spurred so much controversy; in every generation there are those that condemn the corset as a tool of oppression while at the same time others are re-drafting and integrating it into their wardrobe. There are many sources for further study in the psychology and other aspects of corsetry - here is a list of books we find enlightening:
Also, see the Links section for web sites!
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The biggest difference is the way they fit. Off the rack, or ready-made corsets, are cut from a pattern meant to fit an average of body shapes. Because of this, they usually do not offer as much waist reduction as a custom corset. The shaping at the waist tends to be more angular (ill. A), and more pressure is put on the ribs and hips. Ready-made corsets generally do not fit well at the bust, because of the difference in bust size for any given frame size in addition to height and torso length variations. Custom-made corsets are drafted from your own personal measurements and created to fit only you. Because of this, the shaping can be much more extreme (ill. B), as well as much more comfortable. We can make the bust snug and supportive while only taking in the waist where there is room for reduction. Also, because these corsets really fit well, less overall strain is put on the fabric - the corset will last longer. Why get an off the rack corset at all, when custom is so much better? Because they take less time to produce, off the rack corsets are less expensive. Because they are underbust, there are more outfit options! We have made two different off the rack corsets meant for different body types, this means we will be able to fit a wider range of people.
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Yes, indeed - we have made many custom pieces for men. If feminization is the goal, we can draft a pattern right over any foundation pieces you already own. We also make back-supporting corsets for gentlemen who wish to retain a trim figure! We recommend custom work regardless of your reason for wanting a corset - men generally have less room between ribs and hips to reduce the waist and a custom piece will produce the best line. However, our pointed waist cincher would also well because it is cut low on the sides to accommodate lower ribs.
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We include this information with all of our corsets, but here it is for reference. Undo the metal clasp in front (the busc), turn the corset over and loosen the laces. You will notice that there are two loops in the lacing at the waist in back - these loops will be where you pull to tighten the corset. Place the corset around your waist with the button side of the busc on your left. Hook the metal buttonholes over the buttons, and pull gently on the ribbon loops until the corset is just snug. Adjust it so the waist of the corset (the smallest part) is at your own natural waist - wherever you squish the most. Slowly and evenly, tighten the ribbon from the top to the middle and from the bottom to the middle loops, keeping the two sides of the back of the corset as straight as possible. We recommend lacing so it is barely tight at first, then gradually tightening it to give everything a chance to move around. When you have tightened to your satisfaction, simply tie the two pull loops into a bow. We do not recommend tying the laces around the waist of the corset, as this will eventually wear the fabric. Never put on the corset and lace it tightly first thing! Your body is flexible and accommodating, but it needs time to readjust. To remove, always undo the laces in back and loosen before unclasping the busc. It is under pressure, and might snap otherwise. If the laces ever get knotted, do not hesitate to cut yourself out - we can easily send you a new length.
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All of our corsets are built to last. Care will depend on the fabric the corset is constructed from, but most corsets should not be washed. First, it's best to wear a camisole under your corset to keep it clean. When needed, lay the corset out flat on a clean surface to sponge the cotton lining with a just-damp sponge (not too wet - you don't want it soaking through to the exterior fabric!). Let it air until dry. After wearing it, leave it to air overnight with the lining side up before storing it. We recommend getting a clean cotton pillowcase for storage - either roll it up and store in a drawer or hang the laces over a hanger and put the pillowcase over the hanger like a garment bag. This will allow the corset to breathe, unlike storing it in plastic. Some of our clients have applied a protective spray to their corsets to guard against staining, like the type of spray designed for waterproofing fabric shoes. We can provide a swatch of fabric for you to test on if you wish to try this. Please contact us with any specific care questions!
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Custom corsets are based on individual measurements, not standard corset sizes, so it will be built specifically to fit you. Our off the rack corsets are made in standard corset sizes, usually around 3 - 4 inches smaller than your natural waist (someone with a 28 inch waist would usually be a corset size 24). This is a good place to start when determining size, but you should also consider height, torso length, and how squishy your waist is. It's always best to try some on, but if that isn't possible we can make recommendations based on measurements and pictures. The pointed waist cincher was made for people with longer torsos, firmer waists and/or less of a differential between rib-waist-hip measurements. The straight cinch usually fits those who are shorter-waisted, more squishy and/or curvy to start with. Both styles are stocked in sizes 18 through 28.
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All corsets are constructed with care from three layers of fabric, spring steel boning and imported busc closures. Off the rack styles have eight pattern panels with seams reinforced by heavy cotton bone casing. Custom pieces have eight to twelve panels. All corsets have a reinforced waist to prevent stretching. For the back lacing panel, two-piece grommets are used for durability. The lacing is 100% nylon ribbon - it makes lacing the corset much easier and it is stronger than the more common polyester ribbon. We are always finding beautiful and unique fabrics to create our corsets from! Satin, taffeta, silk dupioni and brocade and a special cotton corseting fabric called coutil are fabrics we have in stock in a wide range of colors. We are happy to discuss special requests!
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