When you first receive your new corset, you’ll need to do a few things to custom-fit it onto your body.  Make sure you read through these instructions before you begin, and especially check that you have the corset the right way up.  It might sound strange, but the majority of “My corset doesn’t fit right” queries we get are due to upside-down corsets!

The first fitting will be much easier and quicker if you have a helper.  If you’re on your own, it will take more time and patience, but you can manage!  You just need to take the corset off when you are changing the back gap for sizing purposes (steps 6 and 7), adjust the back laces while it’s off your body, then put it back on. (rinse and repeat).

These are general instructions that apply to most corset styles.  If you have a specialty corset, you should have received an email that covers everything that’s not included here.

Video tutorials for lacing are coming up in the near(ish) future.  Until then, if you get stuck with any of the steps, contact us and we’ll walk you through it.

1. When you receive your corset, the back should be laced together with the edges about 4 inches apart. The bow in the back lacing is at the top edge of the corset.
2. Place the corset around your body until the front edges are approximately at your centre front. Place it at the height that feels most comfortable to you.  If you have a traditional-style corset, the curve of the corset should sit at the curve of your waist. If you have a straight-line corset, start with the top edge a comfortable distance down from your armpit area.
3. The laces for the front are tied together to form one long lace. The knot tells you where the centre is.  Push the tip of one end out (from the inside pointing outward) from one of the bottom grommets, and do the same with the other end and the other grommet.
4. Lace up the front exactly like doing up a sneaker or skate, criss-crossing, going from inside to outside each time. If you get confused, look at the back lacing and imitate it.
5. Pull the front closed all the way, making sure there are no gaps, loosening off the back if necessary. Tie a bow knot at the top.
6. If you have a helper, this is where they make themselves useful. Your helper will tighten the back laces the same way you did the front (like you’re snugging up a shoe) until everything feels comfortably contained and there are no gaps between the you and the corset at hip and underarm.  You don’t need to tighten the top equally with the bottom; you can use the back lacings to custom-fit the corset to your shape. You may end up with the back edges forming a V or inverted V, and that’s perfectly fine.
7. You don’t want to pull the back too tight right away. Get used to the feeling, and when you’re ready, start tightening the back a little bit at a time.  Never tighten to the point you have trouble breathing or you’re uncomfortable in any way.  If you do, loosen off the back!  Even half an inch can make all the difference to your comfort level, and there are no prizes for going tighter.
8. When you’re wearing a corset, remember to bend from your knees, not your waist. Don’t yank suddenly on the laces; use a smooth, gradual pulling motion to tighten. If you’re about to eat a big meal, loosen off the back, or your stomach won’t like it. The compression of a corset means you might never feel hungry when you’re in a corset – remember to eat!  Also, remember to drink water regularly.
9. This is NOT a tight-lacing corset! It’s a very sturdy corset for daywear, but if you really want to start serious waist training or attempt semi-permanent waist reduction, you need a corset which is made for the purpose with entirely different materials.  Never attempt to waist train with a non-specialty corset.  You could hurt yourself, the corset might get destroyed, and you will void the warranty.
10. You can lace the corset with other things, like ribbon or cord, to coordinate with an outfit. We just use shoelaces because they’re quick to do up and tend to stay tied.
11. Sometimes it can be hard to remember which part of the corset is “up”. The edge that has the binding on it is normally the bottom, but if you have a specialty corset, this isn’t always the case.  The bow at the back lacings was on the top edge when we first sent the corset to you, but if you changed that, you may want to find some way to mark up or down!

WARNING: Occasionally, the dye from some natural fibre corset linings can rub off on pale-coloured clothing (just like jeans can).  Use caution and avoid wearing over whites or pales unless you’re willing to take the risk, especially if you might perspire.  There is no way to guarantee perfect colour-fastness in cottons and other natural fibres.