Learning how to care for your new corset is your first step to success with tightlacing. I know that lacing up this elaborate garment can seem daunting at first, but you’re in good hands! Just follow these instructions and remember to contact us with any questions.
When You Receive Your Corset
Begin by loosening the lacing at the back to its fullest extent. You will need to do this every time you put the corset on and also before unclasping your busk to take it off. The corset should be slack around you as you do up your fastening, and you should never have to breathe in to close it. This will protect your fastenings, eyelets and bones from strain.
Seasoning Your Corset
Even though you’re eager to see the extent of your new waist reduction you must take care to season your corset with gentle “breaking in”. This allows you to accustom yourself to the feel of it, and lets the steels and fabric mould to your body without risk of damage. It also makes the corset more comfortable for you and helps you slowly achieve your desired reduction. Full information can be found in this article.
Lacing Up
Tightening the corset is a gradual and gentle process, give it time. Firstly, we need to do up your front fastening, typically a busk or zip. This should be easy because you have loosened the lacing enough to do this without breathing in or straining the corset. For a busk fastening it is often easiest to start with the clasps closest to your waist point, as this is the tightest point of the corset. From there the other clasps should fasten with ease.
Position your corset correctly on your body before tightening the lacing. Take care to ensure the corset is settled at your waist point and that the centre front line isn’t twisting off to one side.
Smoothly adjust your corset lacing from the top down into the loops at the waist, and the bottom up to the loops at the waist. At no point should you tug or yank on the lacing. You should end up with a straight, even gap from top to bottom. This video may help you!
When it’s time to take the corset off, and you have gently loosened your lacing from the loops set at the waist outwards, you may undo your front fastening and air your corset out overnight. Remember to leave it lining side up (or inside out if you do not have a lining) as that will be the section most in need of airing! When you’re ready to put it away, tie the laces up neatly, so they don’t tangle. Your corset box or our corset bags are a good way to store your corsets when not in use.
We do not advise using the “doorhandle” method to tighten your lacing!
Long-term care
Please do not wash your corset. Certain types can be hand washed (you will be advised if yours is suitable, always assume it isn’t!) but most will require dry cleaning. Small marks can be removed with a wrung out damp cloth (not a wet one) You can also gently wipe down the lining after wear in this way. You can ensure your corset remains fresh by airing it out overnight and occasionally treating the lining with baking soda. It is advisable to wear a corset liner if you waist train regularly to protect both you and your corset lining.
We advise that you don’t tie your corset laces around your waist once they have been tightened. This can prove to be abrasive to your outer fabric over time and can cause thinning of the fibres or even holes.
If you are waist training regularly, make efforts to alternate your corsets, allowing them to air thoroughly between wears is essential. Never wear the same corset for both day and night during 23/7 wear as this can be unhealthy for your skin. We have excellent options for night-wear corsetry that allows your skin to breathe, so feel free to ask for more information.