How to Find the Right Corset

 

Hello Vixens!

  Making the choice to begin waist training is a feat in itself, and one of the most frequently asked questions people have when starting out is always, ​“How do I find the right corset if I want to start waist training?”​ Well, this blog article is going to explain the basics of choosing a corset that fits your needs and desires, and fulfills all expectations!

First and foremost, you want to figure out what type of corset(s) you are looking for. Are you going to be wearing it outside of your clothes, under your clothes or both? Do you want an overbust corset and/or underbust corset? Are you looking for comfort over aesthetics? How small are you trying to train your waist down? (Etc.) Waist Training is a serious and fun way to mod your body vessel how you want. It is also an amazing fashion statement as well, and there is a lot of thought that goes into it. Don’t get overwhelmed, though! We’re here to help you answer all of these questions and more!

*If you have questions that aren’t answered in this article, stay tuned for more informational articles coming soon, where we will really dive into the nitty-gritty details of this topic, OR email us over at ​service@thevioletvixen.com​. We can help you with any questions you might have and even guide you through the process of buying your first corset!

 

Waist Training Basics

There are several different ways to train your waist to cinch down. Waist training is the process of slimming your silhouette with the use of a waist trainer. You can temporarily alter your silhouette by waist training with a high quality steel boned corset. It is crucial to remember that waist training does not provide permanent results. It can expedite weight loss, if that is an interest of yours, via loss of water weight from sweating due to heavy fabrics. But it is not recommended to use waist training as a means to shed weight.

Find that corset dress here.

What is a “Steel-Boned Corset?”

  A steel-boned corset is reinforced with steel boning. This construction ensures that the garment is durable and the most effective for maximum cinching and shaping. Corsets are typically laced in the back for the best fit that provides dramatic and comforting results. Don’t be intimidated by the word "steel." These thin, rod-like inserts have wiggle room so that your midsection is slimmed but not constricted. Without the steel boning, those dramatic hourglass curves would not be possible.

It can be hard to know who to trust as a reputable brand on the internet these days, especially when buying your first corset, but Violet Vixen is always a safe bet. The Violet Vixen Brand corsets are the highest quality you will find in the world. They always have steel-boning, a combination of flat steel-bones and spiral steel-bones for added flexibility where needed. They are rust-proof to prevent any nightmare rashes from sweat or performances and are made with the strongest fabrics and hardware. They’re designed to be as comfortable as possible for a performer or daily-wearer and will last you a lifetime if you take care of them. Not only are they high quality, they are custom made to each buyers specific measurements to ensure the best possible fit.

*Not all corsets on Violet Vixen’s website are Violet Vixen Brand corsets. We provide other corsets that are at a lower price point and are quicker to ship because they are premade in standard sizes, S/M/L/XL. These are not always steel-boned. Be sure to read the descriptions on the product pages carefully, to make sure you’re getting exactly what you want. Shop ONLY Violet Vixen brand corsets​ h​ere​ if you know you only want to shop steel-boned, high-quality, last-you-a-lifetime-corsets.

Corsets Vs Waist Trainers

  Steel-boned corsets are very different from latex cinchers (also known as waist trainers), although the idea is used for similar results. A steel-boned corset uses the boning and the tightening of the laces to slim the waistline, a cincher uses compression materials and a hook-and-eye closure for similar results. A corset will give you more dramatic slimming results, while a cincher can be a bit more versatile, and is normally used during workouts. A lot of people have found that using both is also a great way to get the desired results, while having diverse options to use throughout your wardrobe.

How to Find the Right Fit

  Before you start corseting, you want to be confident that you are using a corset that fits well. Unlike many mass produced corset sites, Violet Vixen offers a new size option for every two inches, rather than every four inches, so that you can find an EXACT fit, but you will need to know your measurements.

  When measuring for your corset, use a fabric measuring tape. (Don’t have a measuring tape? Let us know at service@thevioletvixen.com and we will send you one!) You want to do this with most clothing removed, as added layers will affect the sizing. Also, make sure you lay your tape measure flat against your body when sizing.

 

How to Measure yourself for a Corset

  There are about 3 to 5 measurements you will need, and this is how you find them!

• BUST: *You only need this measurement if you are getting an overbust corset.  Wrap the measuring tape somewhat loosely around the fullest part of your chest at nipple level. Round to the nearest whole number.

• UNDERBUST: Your underbust is typically wear a bra line rests, right around the top of your ribs and just under your breasts.

• NATURAL WAIST: find the narrowest part of your waist, which is typically an inch above the belly button where your torso naturally bends.  Keep the tape flat and try to leave a little room to breathe by making sure you can fit at least a finger between the measuring tape and yourself, depending on how tight a fit you want.

*Corseting/Waist Training can feel restricting, and we at Violet Vixen recommend for beginners, that you leave a bit of room to wiggle in with your first corset. Once you’ve become more accustomed to the feel you can then decide how much tighter you are able to go as you train down.

• UPPER HIP: you will find your hip measurements right below the top of your hip bone, where the body naturally bends when you sit. Much like the waist measurement, for our beginners, make sure to leave a little breathing room.

• TORSO LENGTH: **Not all corsets require that you have this measurement, but depending on the type you are buying, here is how you would find this!

  It’s best to start off sitting straight up in a chair with your back completely straight. You’ll then want to place the end of the measuring tape at your underbust line, to the side under the nipple and bring it down to the top of your thigh.

  If you have a smaller torso, it is crucial to make sure you measure this so your corset fits you in the best way possible. If the torso length of a corset is too long, it will shift upwards when you sit down, or can even prevent you from sitting at all. When taking this measurement, consider where you want the bottom of the corset to stop when sitting.

How to Find the Right Size Corset

  Most corset providers, including Violet Vixen, will have a unique corset sizing chart for their brand that you can refer to on the product page (just click “Sizing Help”), so you can determine the best size. For most corsets, you’ll want to subtract 3–4 inches from your waist size to determine the corset size. For example, if your natural waist is 30 inches, you would subtract 3 inches and look on the sizing chart and that would give you your proper size. On the Violet Vixen sizing chart, you would fall in the range of a size 26 or a size 24, depending on your experience and how dramatic you want your cinch to be.

 

  If you are worried about how you’ll handle the drastic slimming that corseting offers, don’t be afraid to size up! This process is a slow one, and you want to ensure you have enough room to happily live in and wear your corset. Some waists may slim a bit slower than others, and that is OKAY! Your comfort matters most, so if you find yourself questioning, don’t be afraid to size up! It is way easier to cinch down than it is to try and make more room!