Measuring Yourself for a Corset
At this time, instructions are only for underbust/waist cincher styles. Directions for overbust styles forthcoming. It is recommended that you have help taking your measurements. These directions are intended for taking your natural measurements. Do not factor in the desired waist reduction and gap at center back. (diagram forthcoming) Necessary Vertical Measurements:
Measuring tape tips: When measuring, hold the measuring tape taut so that it is neither loose (with a gap between it and your skin, falling down) or cutting into your skin. Try to keep the tape parallel to the floor when taking circumference measurements. Stand up straight, using your best posture; do not force this pose by jutting out your bust and jerking your shoulders back. Your gut should neither be sucked in nor pushed out. You may wish to flex your transversus muscle in your core slightly. Finding your natural waist: Your natural waist is probably slightly above your belly button. If your excess flesh is evenly distributed, it is the smallest part of your torso. You may wish to tie a piece of elastic around yourself to help you find your natural waistline. The elastic will roll to the appropriate place. However, depending on your figure type (if you have a bit more fat on your belly) this may actually end up being around your ribcage/underbust area. Do not be discouraged. Use a mirror to locate the narrowest part of your waist as you look at yourself head-on. Staylace.com recommends putting on a pair of panty hose and using the waist band as a guide, though I personally would not recommend this method as there is no guarantee that the rise on your hose will be the same as the rise on your body. For circumference measurements: If possible measure the full circumference, and then the front and back arcs individually. To do this, wear a tight t-shirt. Make sure the side seams do not skew heavily in one direction. Use them as your guide, and measure from one seam to the other. If you are taking your own measurements and cannot take the back measurement, I will subtract your front arc from the full circumference to get it. This will be especially valuable if you carry a bit more weight in your belly. Something to be wary of: When measuring the desired rise/drop from the waist of your corset, be wary that this measurement does not result in a corset that jabs into your bosom or hips if you attempt to sit or bend. Staylace suggests that you test a prospective measurement (from waist down to hip) by sitting straight up in a straight-back chair and put a thin, rigid book your lap and measure down to it. For the distance from the waist up to the top of the corset, make sure it will not abrade your bra. If you are not in the habit of wearing one, make sure there is a bit of space from the bottom of your breasts (where they attach to the rest of your body) to the top of the corset. Further Reading: You may also wish to check out Staylace's measuring instructions for more tips and another perspective.
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