Corsets and other pretty things.

[bruisedangel]

I'm calling a close to my own thread! Hehehe. I'm ridiculous, that's pretty much it. I've gotten an answer from him to a non-question. You've all been great. No body modification, don't worry. That creeps me out. As for the rest of the time, there wasn't even a need for compromise. Different clothing for different play. And I get to indulge myself in pretty things, on both counts. Yay!

 

[Etoile]

Corsets are nice looking, but there's a reason they're not used anymore. They're simply impractical. They're expensive and restrictive. If you need support, a bra is perfect. The convenience and cost far outweigh his irrational dislike of them.

If you want to wear a corset for fetishwear, go ahead, but they aren't an everything day at all.

Utterly false, my dear.

 

[Cattypuss]

Do you guys have anything like this?

http://www.bravissimo.com/

 

[Etoile]

Do you guys have anything like this?

http://www.bravissimo.com/

Hey that's pretty cool.

 

[Sayyid]

Utterly false, my dear.

So corsets are cheap, practical and women wear them every day?

Then why do most women wear bras?

 

[CutieMouse]

So corsets are cheap, practical and women wear them every day?

Then why do most women wear bras?

Corsets can be worn every day, and a properly fitted corset will not cause fainting spells/etc... nor will it crack ribs, damage internal organs, or [in most cases] cause irreversible damage. Due to personal grumpiness re: the subject of corsets, I tend to be somewhat down on the concept of engaging in corsetry for a PYL's kicks.

The trick is owning a properly fitted well made corset, and knowing how to wear it/how to work with the corset, instead of against it.

[boring history of foundation garments segment]

The development of the bra [USA] began around 1865, with the first patent for a 'bust supporter'. It was essentially a short chemise, designed to be worn with an underbust corset, to provide bust support/lift from the ribcage, rather than the shoulders. Separated cups/better engineered lift didn't come into development until around 1895-ish, with the precursor of the modern bra not coming into play until the mid 1920s. By the late 30s/WWII era fashion and practicality were taking hold - women needed flexible foundation garments to enable them to take their place in manufacturing positions/etc. Thus, by the end of the 40s bras/girdles had replaced the corset as daily foundation wear. (It should be noted that up until the late 1960s, women wore girdles/bras as a matter of course from around age 10, forward.)

[/boring history of foundation garments segment]

American lingerie companies are woefully ignorant re: lingerie design, in comparison to European companies; very few lingerie shops/department stores even know how to fit a woman for a bra (much less corset), anymore, as personal service in that area died out towards the late 1950s.

A well made custom corset will set someone back anywhere from $250 - $4000; a mid range [European] bra will cost $65 - $90; a quality [European] bra will run $85 - $350.

In short - good lingerie costs $$$ (but is oh so worth it).

 

[Etoile]

So corsets are cheap, practical and women wear them every day?

Then why do most women wear bras?

Yes, many women wear them every day. Look up tightlacing.

 

[OldGuy1026]

So, we've already established that I'm ridiculously new to this whole shindig. Now, I need help! After much discussion, my friend and I have decided that a corset would be a good option. I need support, he hates bras...that leaves a corset. The problem that I've been having is finding something I truly, truly like. I'm a pretty damned girly-girl. No PVC, no vinyl. He likes leather. I'm a-okay with it, as long as it's real and soft. Personally, I like the look of a very stiff and heavy brocade fabric. The problem comes in when it comes to design. I can't find something that we're both madly in love with. No straps is one of the requirements. He's also VERY insistent of being able to have instant access to nipples. (I'm not complaining! I just can't find something pretty, and practical enough, for every day wear.) HELP!!!! Ideas, pictures, whatever. Anything is welcome at this point.

Okay I'm on page one, so don't spank me. The Society for Creative Anachronism has lots of costume facilities. One is called the Nine Gates to Hell Dress. The bodice can be made of any fabric and uses stays of walebone, but metal works great too. I made one for my Mistress that if we wanted to could expose her nipples, but didn't. My time is short sorry I couldn't find a link. Tournament's Illuminate, circ 1970's published the story.

 

[BiBunny]

Corsets can be worn every day, and a properly fitted corset will not cause fainting spells/etc... nor will it crack ribs, damage internal organs, or [in most cases] cause irreversible damage. Due to personal grumpiness re: the subject of corsets, I tend to be somewhat down on the concept of engaging in corsetry for a PYL's kicks.

The trick is owning a properly fitted well made corset, and knowing how to wear it/how to work with the corset, instead of against it.

[boring history of foundation garments segment]

The development of the bra [USA] began around 1865, with the first patent for a 'bust supporter'. It was essentially a short chemise, designed to be worn with an underbust corset, to provide bust support/lift from the ribcage, rather than the shoulders. Separated cups/better engineered lift didn't come into development until around 1895-ish, with the precursor of the modern bra not coming into play until the mid 1920s. By the late 30s/WWII era fashion and practicality were taking hold - women needed flexible foundation garments to enable them to take their place in manufacturing positions/etc. Thus, by the end of the 40s bras/girdles had replaced the corset as daily foundation wear. (It should be noted that up until the late 1960s, women wore girdles/bras as a matter of course from around age 10, forward.)

[/boring history of foundation garments segment]

American lingerie companies are woefully ignorant re: lingerie design, in comparison to European companies; very few lingerie shops/department stores even know how to fit a woman for a bra (much less corset), anymore, as personal service in that area died out towards the late 1950s.

A well made custom corset will set someone back anywhere from $250 - $4000; a mid range [European] bra will cost $65 - $90; a quality [European] bra will run $85 - $350.

In short - good lingerie costs $$$ (but is oh so worth it).

Oh, to have money....

One of the reasons I'm afraid to be fitted for a bra is that I'm afraid I'm even bigger than I think I am and, thus, would have to pay even more for bras.

 

[CutieMouse]

Oh, to have money....

One of the reasons I'm afraid to be fitted for a bra is that I'm afraid I'm even bigger than I think I am and, thus, would have to pay even more for bras.

Sweetie, I'm a 32C and I used to pay anywhere between $45 - $109 for my bras; the most expensive one in my collection retails for $205. LOL

(And I bet $$ you aren't as big as you worry you are. )

 

[BiBunny]

Sweetie, I'm a 32C and I used to pay anywhere between $45 - $109 for my bras; the most expensive one in my collection retails for $205. LOL

(And I bet $$ you aren't as big as you worry you are. )

I'm wearing a size 44F at the moment, but I don't think it's the right size, either.

Even the "cheap" bras in my size run about $50. So maybe I should look into better-made ones. I guess an extra $20 for underwire that doesn't dig and straps that don't constantly fall off my shoulders due to the sheer weight of my breasts is probably worth it, LOL.

 

[Corylea]

(It should be noted that up until the late 1960s, women wore girdles/bras as a matter of course from around age 10, forward.)

I think that either this is overstated, or it depends on what part of the US one was in. I was 10 in 1968, and none of the girls in my classes at school -- or in the few classes above me -- wore bras at age 10, and NO ONE would have even considered wearing a girdle. Adults would have seen it as "uppity" for a 12-year-old to wear a girdle.

It is true that girls wore bras as soon as they hit puberty, regarless of whether they had anything to put in them, but in the part of the US in which I grew up, pre-pubertal girls were not only not expected to wear bras, asking/expecting them to wear bras would have been seen as "dirty."

 

[CutieMouse]

I think that either this is overstated, or it depends on what part of the US one was in. I was 10 in 1968, and none of the girls in my classes at school -- or in the few classes above me -- wore bras at age 10, and NO ONE would have even considered wearing a girdle. Adults would have seen it as "uppity" for a 12-year-old to wear a girdle.

It is true that girls wore bras as soon as they hit puberty, regarless of whether they had anything to put in them, but in the part of the US in which I grew up, pre-pubertal girls were not only not expected to wear bras, asking/expecting them to wear bras would have been seen as "dirty."

Too much generalization on my part, sorry. That was more common in the 30s - 50s, and grew out of fashion through the 60s. From the research I've done, around 10-12 was the most common age at which girls were expected to start wearing foundation garments.

 

[Cattypuss]

When I went to scondary school, aged 11, in 1978, my mum received a uniform requirements list during the summer before I started. "Stays" were on the list

Never bought 'em, never saw 'em on any other girl at the school...not even sure it would have been POSSIBLE to buy them.

It was a very old school (centuries old) and it seems they didn't update the uniform list very often.

 

[Lady_Fiona]

Do you guys have anything like this?

http://www.bravissimo.com/

I went to bravissimo......usually wear a 46C....they measured me at 40E. Now the problem is that NO ONE elses 40E fits me

I love corsets, but I am not built for them IMO, I have an underbust one and love what it does for my shape, I'm big but am blessed (again IMO) with a rather spectacular arse, its my front that lets me down.

If you look good in a corset and like them....go for it, they are sensual, sexy and look damn fine.

 

[Sayyid]

Yes, many women wear them every day. Look up tightlacing.

I'm aware of what tightlacing is, and also its reputation for adverse effects on health. I also wouldn't call a few enthusiasts "many" women. It would be more appropriate to say "many women wear bras."

Corsets can be worn every day, and a properly fitted corset will not cause fainting spells/etc... nor will it crack ribs, damage internal organs, or [in most cases] cause irreversible damage.

The trick is owning a properly fitted well made corset, and knowing how to wear it/how to work with the corset, instead of against it.

I have omitted your comments about the history of garment design, but it was very interesting. But I think your post made clear the difficulty in finding a well-fitted corset. That and I appear to have been correct in my estimation of the price range:

A well made custom corset will set someone back anywhere from $250 - $4000; a mid range [European] bra will cost $65 - $90; a quality [European] bra will run $85 - $350.

In short - good lingerie costs $$$ (but is oh so worth it).

In short, I like the look of corsets, but practical concerns make daily use of them infeasible for most people. If support is all a person needs (not aesthetic or fetishistic value) then a bra seems like the best choice.

 

[Etoile]

Whatever. As a former tightlacer, I know the result of longterm use and its effect on health. You obviously have something against the idea, as many people do; I'll leave it at that and not try to convince you otherwise.

 

[00Syd]

Whatever. As a former tightlacer, I know the result of longterm use and its effect on health. You obviously have something against the idea, as many people do; I'll leave it at that and not try to convince you otherwise.

I really like the idea of tightlacing, but don't have the money for a corset, and probably won't for a long time, so its not something that I can really investigate with much seriousness. Sad

 

[Sayyid]

Whatever. As a former tightlacer, I know the result of longterm use and its effect on health. You obviously have something against the idea, as many people do; I'll leave it at that and not try to convince you otherwise.

Don't misunderstand me. Women are free to do as they will with their bodies, but they should be aware of the risk involved.

I was merely commenting on why corsets aren't worn much anymore (they're impractical).

 

[Tawny_Temptress]

So, we've already established that I'm ridiculously new to this whole shindig. Now, I need help! After much discussion, my friend and I have decided that a corset would be a good option. I need support, he hates bras...that leaves a corset. The problem that I've been having is finding something I truly, truly like. I'm a pretty damned girly-girl. No PVC, no vinyl. He likes leather. I'm a-okay with it, as long as it's real and soft. Personally, I like the look of a very stiff and heavy brocade fabric. The problem comes in when it comes to design. I can't find something that we're both madly in love with. No straps is one of the requirements. He's also VERY insistent of being able to have instant access to nipples. (I'm not complaining! I just can't find something pretty, and practical enough, for every day wear.) HELP!!!! Ideas, pictures, whatever. Anything is welcome at this point.

This has straps, should give support and is all access to nipples.

http://shapercorset.com/Leather-Cor....html?osCsid=7a89246fb52bebf0aa4302aaac59453e

 

[the captians wench]

I love my corsets. *shrug* I went a long time where I wore them every day, but because of the bending and lifting that I have to do, wearing them for work was not a practical idea.

If I was just working on my sewing all the time, then I'd go for it everyday. Restaraunt work, not so much.

 

[bruisedangel]

This has straps, should give support and is all access to nipples.

http://shapercorset.com/Leather-Cor....html?osCsid=7a89246fb52bebf0aa4302aaac59453e

Now this one, I like. Very much. Crap, I am going to have to cave and get the bank to issue me a new debit card!

I'm with you on the restaurant work, wench. I'd love to get out of it.

 

[the captians wench]

Now this one, I like. Very much. Crap, I am going to have to cave and get the bank to issue me a new debit card!

I'm with you on the restaurant work, wench. I'd love to get out of it.

If you are doing restaurant work then a corset is not a good idea. I've done it for halloween a few times. Not easy to work in. Deffo not an every day thing, and like I said, I love corsets.

 

[SubMrs]

I have worn a custom fitted corset 24/7 for the past 20 years. I can't imagine life without a corset at this point. The first few months of tightlacing were quite unpleasant but I no longer give my corset any thought.

 

[Etoile]

I have worn a custom fitted corset 24/7 for the past 20 years. I can't imagine life without a corset at this point. The first few months of tightlacing were quite unpleasant but I no longer give my corset any thought.

I'd love to know who your maker is, and your waist size?