Corset Training - By Snowball

Please don't believe all those stories about the average Victorian lady having a 17" waist, and that many corseted down to 14". This is fiction. Recent research suggests the average among the fashionable young was probably around 22", and over the entire population signigificantly larger. Hence, don't set your expectations too small. You also have to remember that women were shorter back then and those who corseted, often started young. While a 14" waist is possible (The current live world record holder has an amazing 14" waist line), that's just one woman in the whole world. So don't be disappointed if you can't manage less than 20". Even then, I promise you, you'll look great. 

While some fantasize about corseting very tightly straight away and simply putting up with the pain, in practice, only the masochistic might succeed. It wouldn't do much for your health either. It takes time for your ribs to change shape and your internal organs to adjust. So if you're serious about achieving a true hour glass figure, here's the basic advice that i've collected in over 5 years of training.

1) Start off by reducing your waist by only 2-3" If it hurts, it's too tight. Wear a well made corset with a smooth lining. Ideally, your first corset should close to about 4" smaller than your original natural waist, otherwise the laces dig in to your back. A stiff back protector inside the laces avoids this hppening too.

2) Wear something soft between the corset and your skin. This allows you to wriggle your flesh into a more comfortable position, avoiding pinches in your skin and it smoothes out the bones and ridges in the corset. Cotton based corset liners are best. They allow your skin to breath. Silk is good too.

3) Keep the corset on day and night, only taking it off to bathe or when you absolutely have to. Try not to use soap or anything else that will dry the skin. Dab the skin dry carefully, don't rub it roughly. Put your corset back on when dry. Only by wearing it lots, with your body adjust. What used to be tight, will feel totally normal after a while.

4) Once the corset has become totally comfortable, reduce your waist by half an inch. This will take about 2 weeks at first, but as the corset becomes tighter, the time it takes to lose each half inch becomes increasingly longer.

5) Keep your body and the corset clean. If you can afford it, buy two corsets so that you can wear one while the other is in the wash. If you can't do that, at least use two liners and wash them often. Avoid the use of too much detergent or conditioner that might annoy your skin.

6) There is some debate about moisturiser. Some people say use lots, as i did in the start, others say use none and let your skin harden up. Since stopping moisturising, my skin has become a little rough, but it is sore less frequently and doesn't itch so often. Surgical spirit dabbed or spayed on after bathing hardens the skin up.

7) Once the laces on your original corset have closed, get one 2" smaller than the first, but make sure you get a good quality one. Made to measure is best, and don't always cost that much more than off the peg. It's well worth it; a comfortable corset will encourage you to wear it more and will help you train down faster. I strongly recommend C&S corsets. I found out the hard way, you don't have to. They are lovely people and their corsets so much more comfortable.

8) A corset with a 'back protector', a stiff panel which fits under the laces, adds to the comfort. The protector reduces the deep grove of flesh which can form down your spine, and stops the laces digging in.

9) Keep fit by eating well and by taking plenty of gentle exercise, such as walking. If anything hurts, ease off. Keep an eye on your blood pressure. Wearing a corset should NEVER leave you breathless or dizzy. (Even if you like the fantasy, it's NOT good for you.) As your corset gets really tight, you will have to eat smaller meals, but more of them. Grazing throughout the day works well. Eating a big meal or laying down soon after eating can make you feel sick.

10) With patience and dedication, you should be able to reduce your waist by 8, or if you are a little bigger to start with, may be 10" after few years. In time, you could even go further, but it gets very slow after this point. Don't think it's easy, it's a labour of love. Slowly and gently is the key.

11) Sooner or later, you'll get some pressure sores. Look after them, or they can turn nasty. Sterile dressing pads are recommended and if they won't heal, back off your lacing or see a doctor. Remember, it is not worth putting your health at risk just for that extra inch. Don't break your body, you can't get a new one.

12) There is a point where you just won't be able to go beyond. It depends on all sorts of factors, but most people (if you are healthy) can achieve an impressive reduction.

So there you go. That's most of what I've learned in over four years of corseting. Good luck and I'd love to hear how it goes for you. If you have any more good advice, please let me know so i can update this page. There is no evidence that tight lacing, if done slowly, is detremental to health. I can't be doing too badly, i haven't been to see my doctor since i started.