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Measurements

There are three important things when ordering a corset: measure, measure, measure. This is really true, since a corset is not just another piece of clothing, but if the measurements are not correctly and carefully taken, it is worthless! If it is too wide, one does not achieve the desired waistline, perhaps even no constriction at all. If it is too tight, one can easily be frustrated, since one cannot close the corset, which does not contribute to the corset's life span. Perhaps it is too large around the hips and has an acceptable waistline (this once occurred to me). Then the problem is that the belly sticks out like a 'ball' below the waist, which is unhealthy and very unpleasant. This list could be continued. Therefore: measure, measure, measure. Usually the following measurements are needed. The more of them the manufacturer will take into account, the better, because the more exactly the corset can be adapted to your body:

Girths: bust, underbust, normal waist, desired waist width, upper hip (at the upper edge of the hip bones), lower hip (this is where the lower edge of the corset will be).
Front heights: from the waist to the upper edge, from the waist to the lower edge.
Lateral heights: from the waist to the upper edge, from the waist to the lower edge.
Rear heights: from the waist to the upper edge, from the waist to the lower edge.

With these measurements the corset can be adapted quite well to the body of the wearer. Some manufacturers use only the person's size for their work. That must be rejected as completely unsuitable. Sometimes, corsets are available with waistlines in steps of 5 cm, which is too rough. Unfortunately, the process of measuring alone is not sufficient, the good fit of the corset does certainly also depend on the manufacturer! This must be considered when ordering, otherwise the corset will be a failure (this once occurred to me). Many, if not most manufacturers take the given measurement to be the size of the corset lying on the table. That is simple and practicable and... unsuitable, because if you order a corset with a waistline of 50 cm, and if the manufacturer makes it according to the mentioned method, the corset will produce a waistline of maybe 55 cm when you wear it and measure your waist! The reason is that the material will expand under the pressure. Therefore: Ask your manufacturer and inform yourself about his measuring method; and take this into account when filling in the measurement sheet. An example: I have the desired measurements and subtract 5 cm (e.g. I ordered my 17'' corset as a 15'' corset, and it actually produces a waist width of 17'', measured over the - closed - corset!). Nota bene: Do subtract approx. 5 cm from all measurements, if your manufacturer uses the measurements of the corset (lying on the table)! But do discuss this problem beforehand with the manufacturer!

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You are here: Contents > Practice > How can I get a corset? > Measurements