Everything You Need to Know About Waist Training Corsets

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Waist Training Corsets 101

Waist training corsets are designed to help reduce the size of the waist, gradually over time, reducing the natural waist by as much as eight inches. The end result is more of an hourglass figure. These corsets are not the same as the fashion corsets widely available on the market today - they are designed to be stronger, more durable, and with a purpose. These corsets can often be worn for extended periods of time, often hidden under clothing.

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Is Waist Training Right For You?

Waist training is usually best for women who've had experience with wearing corsets in the past, but even if you've never worn a corset before, you can make it work. It's a good choice for women who want to change their waist and haven't had luck with other methods. It's a much more affordable alternative to cosmetic surgery, and is far safer.

Wearing a corset can also provide a number of other physical benefits, beyond waist reduction including:

To be safe, always consult a medical professional before using a corset in an attempt to treat any sort of medical condition. There are some conditions where compression through a corset is not recommended, and may cause the condition to worsen.

Top 5 Waist Training Corsets

Underbust vs Overbust Corsets

Waist training corsets are available as either underbust or overbust. As the name suggests, the underbust corset sits under the bust, providing no coverage of the breasts. This makes them versatile in the sense that they can be worn with a number of bras, pasties, or even over the clothing as part of a costume or a fashion statement. The overbust corset on the other hand, provides coverage of the breasts, and comes in a number of neckline styles. You can also find overbust corsets with straps, or without.

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The one you choose will be based on your personal preference. Both can work well for waist training purposes. Women with ample busts typically perfect overbust corsets because of the additional support they offer, without the hassle of needing a bra or straps that dig into the shoulders.

How To Measure For Your Corset

Proper sizing and fit is the key to safely using a waist training corset. Before ordering a corset, you'll need to measure several parts of your body and keep these measurements handy. If you are worried about the accuracy of the measurements, have a friend assist you.

Measure your natural waist - often the smallest part of your waist. This is the waist measurement you need to deduct from when choosing the right size for your needs and waist training goals.

You'll also want to measure your:

Over time, the steel boning will take on your shape as the court that adjusts. Do not force the corset too quickly, as this can damage and work the boning, causing you discomfort. You will only achieve the fitted look you're going for after you break the corset in.

Once you've been wearing your corset for 30 to 45 minutes, it's okay to tighten it up a little bit more. The first time you wear it, try to wear your corset for no more than two hours. Repeat this process several times over the first several days. This rule applies to both those who wish to use the corset for waist training purposes, as well as those who have purchased a corset for a special occasion. Always break the corset in prior to the event date.

A corset that's shaped closely to your body's natural shape will season faster than one that is not.

Wearing a Waist Training Corset

You can wear your waist training corset as much or as little as you would like. It's best to take it off during any sort of strenuous activity, other than heavy lifting, as the corset can provide back support to protect you during that task.

Many women successfully sleep in their corsets, but there are a few things to consider about sleeping in it. During the day, you'll engage your core muscles and won't feel like the corset is too tight. At night, as your body relaxes in deep sleep, the corset may begin to feel too tight, causing you to wake up in a panic either to loosen or remove it. If you choose a double boned corset, this sensation can feel even worse.

If you're determined to sleep in your corset for the extra waist training time, it's a good idea to loosen the corset just a bit (up to an inch to an inch and a half) from your daytime wear, so that you can compensate for muscle relaxation as you sleep. This way, your corset will still fit comfortably and tight - but not so tight as to disrupt your sleep. It's also a good idea to purchase a single boned corset for nighttime wear.

If you're unsure about whether or not you should wear your corset during sleep, start small with a nap. If it causes any sort of mental or physical discomfort, stop. Try again with adjustments as you feel comfortable, and gradually increase the amount of time spent sleeping in the corset until you're getting a full night's sleep

Top 5 Waist Training Corsets

Diet and Waist Training Corsets

Unless your goal is waist training, you can remove your corset before eating. If you're trying to reduce the size of your waist, however, you should leave the corset on while you eat. Because of the compression, you won't be able to eat as much at a time as you used to be able to, which can be useful if you're also trying to lose weight.

If you're eating anything prone to cause bloating, such as vegetables, it is a good idea to loosen, rather than to completely remove the corset. This way, natural bloating can occur without causing discomfort. The more often you wear your corset, you'll learn to adjust your eating habits so you are eating smaller meals on a more frequent basis. This will assist with weight loss, which will further your waist reduction efforts.

It's important to remember, the compression from your corset will not help you burn extra calories or fat. It is only through wearing the corset most of the day every day, or through moderating your overall food intake without the corset that you will experience weight loss. Many people experience weight loss while corseting simply because the corset forces a healthier way of eating - preventing you from eating too much at one meal.

How Long Results Take

Results will be slow, but slow and steady wins the race. Your results will vary based on a variety of factors, including the diet you follow while wearing the corset and how much time you spend in the corset. A waist-training corset is meant to assist with body reshaping, and should never be used as a substitute for a healthy diet.

You wouldn't expect your personal trainer or health club salesman to know how long it'll take you to reach your goals, would you? Sure, there can be estimates, but in the end, you can achieve results faster or slower, depending on what you do. If you don't eat properly or don't exercise at the gym enough, your personal trainer's estimate would be off. The same can be said for your waist training.

Those who don't wear the corset as long will get results slower than those who spend most of the day in it. Those who follow a healthy eating plan will see results faster than those who don't.

Before You Buy a Waist Training Corset

Before you buy your corset, check to make sure you know you're getting a quality product. Look closely at any product images, from multiple angles, if possible. Make sure the corset is made of a strong, durable material that can withstand plenty of use. The fabric should be strong, but there should also be a breathable lining.

Check the following:

Caring For Your Corset

When you take off the corset, hang it over a hanger with the laces and liner side up. This protects the outer fabric and ensures the weight is evenly distributed on the laces. Spot clean your corset with a mild detergent or fabric refresher. Never use the washing machine. Occasionally, if you wear your corset often, have it professionally dry cleaned.

Is Waist Training Dangerous?

No, but like anything else in life, if it's not done correctly, it can be.

Corsets do apply pressure to the internal organs, so it is critical to be sure you're wearing the right size corset, at the right tightness, and for the appropriate amount of time. Issues with waist training corsets typically only arise as a result of incorrect wear or use.

You may heard that you will eventually reach a point where you cannot hold yourself up without wearing your corset. Wearing a corset will not weaken your core. Children in the Victorian era were required to wear corsets from a young age, preventing their core muscles from developing and strengthening properly. As such, they did become dependent on the corset.

When properly fitted, you will still be able to breathe and move normally while you wear your corset. While you shouldn't try to go run a 5K while wearing the corset, you can safely move throughout your daily routine of work/school/chores without issue.

It's important to take the process slowly and listen to your body. Waist training is not meant to keep you from being comfortable, though it will take some getting used to at first. Your waist didn't get to the size it is now overnight, so you should not expect to be able to train it down to a smaller size overnight. It can take years to see a large reduction from your waist size.

Quality waist training corsets, patience, time, and adjustments to your diet can make a great deal of difference in the way your figure looks. Don't rush to buy the first cute corset see. Instead, take your time researching options, getting your measurements correct, and only when you're satisfied that the corset you've chosen will fit your needs, then make your purchase. Take your time when learning to lace up and take off the corset, and you'll become an expert in no time.

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The Shape-wear Guide: Buying Your Very First Corset

Lots of interested ladies about their first Corset has asked us about guidance--Here is our guide on how the topic:

Buying your very first corset for waist training is an exciting experience, yet heading online or into shops and deciding which one is best for you can stop you dead in your tracks. There are many corsets to choose from, all with their own pros and cons. Finding the best corset for you can, therefore, become quite a task.

A body shaper can help you minimize the size of your waist over time, and because of this, you need to ensure you find the perfect fit and one that sit comfortably. When shopping, you will be posed with many questions, such as “Do I want an over or under-bust corset?” and “Do I want to wear it over my clothing or underneath?”

Why should you try waist training with shape-wear?

While many of us would consider a body shaper so that we can attain that hour-glass figure, there is a whole host of other benefits. When you practice safe body shaping, you can also look forward to:

• Improved posture
• Back support
• Weight control
• Reduced cramping

People have also reported a reduction in headaches and migraines as well as asthma.

Deciding on the shape and design of your body shaper corset

Advances in technology and fashion has allowed more shapes and designs to appear on the shape-wear market. Nowadays you can find body shaper for women, body shaper for men, and plus size body shaper. This means a larger collection of corsets; however, it also means you have more elements to consider before you purchase any shape-wear.

Measurements

As with any item of clothing, a waist trainer does not have a one size fits all approach. You will need to determine the shape of your body before buying a corset, as the wrong corset can not only be uncomfortable but can also cause a lot of pain.

Measure the following:

Under-bust – Right at your bra line (make sure you measure parallel to the ground).

Natural waist – Typically, this is 1-inch above your belly button and where you bend from side to side.

Upper hip – Measure just below your hip bone but just above where you bend to sit.

Torso length – To do this, sit in a chair and place the measuring tape beneath your breast. Then, extend the tape to the top of your thigh. Make sure you are sat straight!

Color and design

There are many colors to choose from, so if you want your body shaper to match your outfit, this is very much a possibility. For those who want a corset for the sole purpose of waist training, then neutral tones will be more ideal.

Material

Avoid discomfort by having the correct material suited to your needs. You will want to invest in a corset that is made from high-quality materials, as well as a material that has quite good breathability. A good corset will be made from strong and sturdy fabric, and then the layer that is close to your skin will be made from natural fibres. You can also get shape wear made from Spanx – many people find a Spanx body shaper much more comfortable.

Constriction

This simply means how tight the corset will be when worn around your midsection. Typically, you will want to size down by four inches from your original measurement. For instance, if you have a 28-inch waist, a 24-inch corset would be suitable.

Type

There are two main types of corset – under-bust and over-bust. Anyone can wear an under-bust, while most people can get away with wearing an over-bust. If you are a DD or greater bra cup size, however, the over-bust can offer greater support that makes it much more comfortable. For day to day wearing, an under-bust offers more flexibility and is much more practical.

Aside from the under-bust and over-bust of your shape wear, you will also be able to get a thong body shaper, a strapless body shaper and also mens body shaper as well as many others.

Seasoning your corset

Now, this doesn’t mean sprinkling your shape-wear with salt and pepper. This is a well-known term, simply meaning the process of breaking in your corset. If you do not season the corset properly, you can cause yourself great pain but also stop the corset from providing you with the results you are after.

Start the seasoning process by loosening the laces of the body shaper from top to bottom and then putting it on. Slowly (and gently) tighten the laces, but be kind and do not over-tighten the laces as this can cause you pain and discomfort. If you ever feel uncomfortable, loosen the laces.

First timers will only want to wear the corset for an hour on their first day, and then throughout the first week, try to wear it three hours per day. If you are after a slimmer waist or trying to achieve an hour-glass figure, you will need to wear the corset around 8-10 hours a day – this will take a lot of time to do, so patience is needed for these dramatic results.

Remember that each person is different, so getting used to your corset and breaking in your shapewear needn’t be a race. Listen to your body, and if it is telling you to stop, loosen your corset and give yourself a break. Everybody is different, and so that also means different results depending on the person.

Modern corsets vs. traditional corsets

Corsets were a popular garment way back when, and although they fell out of fashion in the early 20^th century, corsets have had a resurgence of sorts. However, that doesn’t mean people have stuck to the traditional shape-wear of a 1600 corset. There are newer, more modern fabrics and a difference between boning. You can now get corsets for plus size people as well as find a full body shaper or strapless body shaper for both men and women.

There are pros and cons to both modern and traditional corsets, so if you are unsure as to which body shaper is right for you, do your research.

Modern corsets

Pros

• Steel boning, as opposed to whalebone. Not only is this more ethical, but steel boning is near-impossible to break.
• Better back support. This is because of improved fabrics and materials.
• You can wear a modern corset as outwear.
• Modern corsets are more adjustable, making it more comfortable for people to wear. You can also focus on specific areas.

Traditional corsets

Pros

• A more traditional look due to the fabric and original boning.
• Does not rust if made wet, unlike the steel boning of modern corsets.

Ideally, a modern corset is best because of the newer technology used to create them, as well as the softer, more comfortable fabric associated with them. You will not be able to wear a traditional corset to the gym, as they are not as adjustable as modern shape-wear, and cannot be worn underneath tight-fitting clothing.

To remain safe when wearing your corset, modern shape-wear, such as a body shaper for women and men, will come with clear and relevant guidelines. Traditional corsets were made for times back then and not necessarily modern-day times.

Caring for your body shaper corset

Most shape-wear are delicate garments that require extra care when putting on, removing and storing. Cleaning your corset can also be a difficult process, so always refer to the label or brand’s specific instructions.

Keeping the inside of your corset clean

This is easy, as you should always have a layer between your skin and the corset. You can get a corset liner that will absorb sweat and body oils, stopping it from getting onto the corset.

Keeping the outside of your corset clean

There are two ways to clean your corset: dry cleaning and hand washing. Dry cleaning is best; however, keeping on top of your corset by doing frequent spot cleaning is also recommended.

If you do not wear anything between you and your corset, then wipe the area with a slightly damp cloth that is well absorbent. This will remove any body oils or sweat, just be sure to dry your corset properly before storing it away.

Spot cleaning

Your corset will get dirty from time to time, but if there are small splotches of dirt on your corset, spot cleaning can be enough to get rid of any marks. Plain water is the best when it comes to spot cleaning, yet if you need something a little bit stronger, a gentle cleanser will also work – just be sure to rinse thoroughly on the area that has been cleaned.

Dry cleaning

Find a dry cleaner with corset cleaning experience and make them aware if your corset has any steel bones. Remember that you should not dry clean your corset frequently, so this should only be done if there is no other way to clean your body shaper.

If you have a vinyl or leather corset, this will need to be dry cleaned. However, you can keep on top of your leather or vinyl corset by applying leather polishes at home. Be sure to apply the polish on the trim so that if it reacts poorly, it won’t damage the entirety of your corset.

Washing your corset

Washing your full body shaper is quite a task, yet it is one that needs to be done properly. Dry cleaning can become expensive over time, so if you ever decide to wash your corset yourself, remember the following tips:

• Never put your corset in the machine as this will cause damage to the material but also the steel boning
• Remove the corset’s lace and do not thread back through until completely dry
• Use cold or lukewarm water rather than hot water as hot water can cause shrinking and permanent wrinkles
• Drying your corset takes extra care. Never wring out your corset as this will destroy it. Instead, lay the pieces on a towel and then use another towel to absorb the water.

Storing your corset

Always check that your corset is dry before storing it away. You will want to ensure that no build up of moisture happens, so keeping corsets neatly folded or hung up in plastic bags can stop moisture and dust from damaging your shape-wear.

If you fold your corset, ensure nothing heavy is placed on top of it – this could bend the metal in the body shaper and damage the fabric. Furthermore, when hanging your corset, refrain from hangers with squeeze clips as this will damage the edging of the corset it is gripping. Slacken your corset when you hang it.

Avoid rolling your corset as this can cause damage to the fabric is an eye or stud was to catch it. What’s more, rolling may distort the shape of the corset.

How to lace up and remove your shape-wear corset

Lacing up your corset

Putting on a corset takes a lot of practice, so do not become disheartened if you do not nail the process straight away. However, once you know how to do it, there is no going back as you’ll be able to lace up your corset without any struggle.

Firstly, ensure you have slackened the lace at the back of your corset. This should be evenly slackened from top to bottom so that putting it on is as easily as possible. Place the corset around your waist, ensuring the lacing is on the back and the garter loops are on the bottom. Start lacing from the top down, and once you have done this, go back and hook the eyelets – the top one being the last.

Remove any slack by pulling the loops that are located in the centre of the corset. When doing this, always ensure that the corset is sitting comfortably by adjusting its position, and if you are wearing an overbust corset, be sure to adjust your breasts so that you are free from pain or discomfort.

Keep going until you get the desired fit and tightness. Never pull too quickly or leave yourself feeling unable to breathe. This is a slow process that cannot be rushed. If you ever experience any pain, loosen it immediately.

Removing your corset

Fully loosen the lacing before removing it – this must be done every time you take it off, otherwise it can cause damage to your corset as you try to wriggle out.

Untie the bow at the back of your shape-wear corset and pull the ‘X’s’ so that all laces are removed. Not having it loosened enough around your waist can cause you to accidentally break or bend the boning.

Once the corset is loose, unhook your bust.

Shape-wear for men

Men can wear corsets too, although it can be much more difficult for them to find the right corset and body shaper that allows them to keep a masculine physique. Nowadays, though, there are mens body shaper designers that make this conundrum much less common.

By heading to a dedicated designer, you will have multiple styles of men’s corsets available, which also fit masculine proportions. Custom-fit options are always a great option when seeking a mens body shaper.

A list of different body shapers

Corsets are not the be all and end all of body shapers. There is a whole range of them available, and while corsets are excellent choices, you can always try one of the following alternatives – depending on where on your body you want to shape.

Thighs

Spanx body shapers are popular and have become a renowned brand across the globe. They have a lot of thigh shorts to help shape and smoothen your thighs and lower stomach.

Stomach

Corsets are great when it comes to flattening and smoothing out your stomach. They cover the length of your torso and cinch in your waist while also training it. However, if you also want to smoothen your thigh, you can always invest in an all-in-one hi-waist thigh slimmer.

The final thought…

Purchasing your first corset or piece of shape-wear can be a lengthy and tiring experience, but there are many benefits associated to body shapers. Not only can help smoothen and shape your body, but it can also make you more confident in your own skin. Waist training has the chance of helping someone love the way they look.

If you are ever unsure on the best shape-wear for you, it is always best to carry out extensive research online, and if this fails you, then visit a store and speak to an expert. By visiting an expert, they can measure you properly and show you the style of corset that is suited to your body type as well as what is best for your wants and needs. They can also show you the best way of caring for your corset and how to put it on and remove it, as well as teach you on how to train your waist safely.