Of Corsets and Conundrums
Tonight I tried on this amazing corset. It was the color of toasted coconut, overlaid with black lace, and it had gorgeous toasted-coconut-colored ribbon lacing up the front.
I have to be honest; it looked stunning on me. Apparently, I've got the kind of body that works well with a corset. My current build is of the Mae West dangerous curves variety, and a corset constrains and/or swells just the right parts, just the right way with that kind of body shape. But it wasn't only the sexiness of it. This may be surprising (it was to me), but it was incredibly, amazingly comfortable. Much more comfortable than any of the bras I was also trying on at the time.
I don't know why it's taken me so long to realize I'm corset-friendly. I've only ever owned one--and it was plain, white, and boringly utilitarian--bought quickly to allow me to wear a gown with a wide-cut and plunging neckline to a formal event. I never really felt particularly hot in it, though it did give me a nice shape. It reminded me of those old 1950s corsets you see in vintage Sears catalogues. Which, I supposed if done right, can have a cool retro appeal, but...
But it wasn't the same as this one. This was something else. It was pretty. It felt amazing. I loved it. I wanted it. I was certain I was going to buy it.
And then I put my shirt on top of it, just to test.
And it was awful. The shirt was somewhat form-fitting, and the lace and woven ribbon of the corset underneath made everything look lumpy and as if I was wearing something strange under my clothes. It didn't look sexily revealing, as in, "Oooh, I can tell that minx is hiding hot underthings beneath her clothing to get me aroused." It just looked...wrong. More like, "What the hell's wrong with her shirt?"
So I have to ask the women (or men) out there who have more corset experience than I do...how do you pull this off? I want to know, because for one, it was so comfortable, I'd like to wear one more often. Plus, to me, the corset's not nearly half the fun if you can ONLY wear it in the bedroom. For me, the point would be to be able to have it on under your clothes; a little secret for you, to keep you going through your day. Your secret supervillainess outfit. Or, even better, a little something you can reveal to the person you're with while you're still OUTSIDE of the bedroom, to get his or her desire moving TOWARD there. I mean, if you're already IN the bedroom, the corset's kind of besides the point by then, don't you think?
So people--any tips for wearing a corset well under regular clothing? Or is this just a lost cause and it's a bedroom-only proposition?
Comments (22)
Hmmmm... I bet I could wear a corset under my scrub shirts...
1. Posted by Circe on October 10, 2006
What's a scrub shirt?
2. Posted by Miss Syl on October 10, 2006
I'm afraid the only corsetry I've worn has been the bodice style that goes on over a shirt. (I don't currently own one -- I seriously considered buying a nice one at the Rennaissance we went to this weekend, but it would have left me broke for too long.)
3. Posted by Darkhawk on October 10, 2006
Insert the noun 'fair' in that previous comment in an appropriate location, please. :} Too early in the morning for me!
4. Posted by Darkhawk on October 10, 2006
Never tried a corset, but I do like that little picture with your post.
5. Posted by Rhea on October 10, 2006
The most important thing about a corset is that it be easy for the guy to figure out how to take it off.
6. Posted by Ray on October 10, 2006
I think you should find a nice jacket to wear over it.
Corset, nice skirt, thigh-highs, heels, and jacket.
Nothing else.
No panties.
I've just dressed you up like a Barbie doll, haven't I? I'm sorry!
:D
7. Posted by aag on October 10, 2006
I think if you looked for vintage stuff, say on eBay, you can find corsets meant for practical use, and not covered with ribbons and lace and other frippery.
8. Posted by Hiromi on October 10, 2006
Darkhawk: And here I thought you had a time machine, or you were creating a new one, or something cool like that.
Yeah, the damn things are EXPENSIVE. But man, they're purty.
And nice to see you at the new place. Thanks for making the leap. :)
Rhea: Yeah it's cool, isn't it? Made me laugh when I found it. Check out my fancy roll-over joke, too. Yes, praise me, praise me. I'm just learning how to deal with images in Ecto. Haven't perfected it yet--the margins around the photo are bugging me. But I'll get there.
Ray: But half the fun is watching the frustration in your faces. :-P
This one was actually deceptively easy to take off. Didn't look like it was, but there was a trick to it.
AAG: Barbies wear corsets? Though, I suppose you're right, I don't think Barbie ever came with panties on, did she?
That sounds pretty, actually, but I don't know, I've never been much of a "wear your underwear as outerwear" person. I like that "she's got a secret" feeling.
Hiromi:
...on eBay, you can find corsets meant for practical use, and not covered with ribbons and lace and other frippery.
But I want frippery! I want to be maximum fripped. That's what I'm saying. I've still got my utlitarian one. That one's no fun at ALL.
9. Posted by Miss Syl on October 10, 2006
Where I'm from, everyone's wearing their corsets on top of their clothes. They look great over a bohemian-type blouse. I've got a white one that I wear over a black spaghetti-strapped dress. I like the way it looks - a little naughty, but still some class.
10. Posted by savia on October 10, 2006
Savia: Good to see you. I think that sounds pretty. See my answer to AAG above, though. I think I need to confront my underwear/outerwear issues first.
11. Posted by Miss Syl on October 10, 2006
Wow, the mental image i have, you all all corsetted up... GRRRROWL.
These people know from corsets:
http://www.darkgarden.com/faq.asp
They're kinda pricy to buy from but i've met the owners and they're lovely people, and if that FAQ doesn't help, I'm betting an email to them will get you some answers.
12. Posted by Elvis on October 10, 2006
Wow, Karl, those are gorgeous. Thanks for the link.
The "sweeheart victorian with straps" (bottom version, minus the skirt) was closest to what I was trying on. But I like most of these styles.
But my LORD, the PRICES. I could never afford it. I need to find some wealthy benefactor with a corset fetish.
And they did give some good advice, though mostly it's what the women above said--you gotta wear the corset as clothing, not as underwear.
13. Posted by Miss Syl on October 11, 2006
Those women actually got *me* into a corset. The're just that good.
14. Posted by Elvis on October 11, 2006
Karl Elvis: Now THAT I'd like to see.
Which one was it? I don't like the "amazon" one the way they've got it shown, because the outfit looks kind of Nazi-esque. But I could see that one kind of looking good with a kilt.
15. Posted by Miss Syl on October 11, 2006
Scrub shirts... you know, like people wear in the Health Care Biz...
xoxox
16. Posted by Circe on October 11, 2006
"Buck Daruma" instructed me to come answer this question. I've only got one corset, and I've only occasionally worn it under clothes. In theory you could find a corset that has a really smooth inconspicuous line, or an outfit whose lines go well with the lines of the corset, but in practice what I've ended up doing is (this is a huge secret, so don't tell anyone) camouflaging with extra underwear. As in, disguise the hip bulges under the corset with really restrictive support-top pantyhose; and disguise the weird bust line (my corset is of the boob-mashing variety rather than the lift and separate variety) with a padded bra so stiff it can stand on its own, worn over top of the corset. The result is completely hot, from a distance, but it certainly doesn't lend itself to stripteases.
But I'm not the Mae West type--barely A cup, here--so my tip is probably not of much use to you.
17. Posted by Rachel on October 11, 2006
Circe: Ohhhhhhh. Duh. Well, yeah you could wear 'em under that. But would it be too constricting and make it difficult to do Important Medical Procedures? I'm not sure. All I know is the one I tried on felt pretty damn comfortable.
Rachel: Well, it's more practical advice than anyone else gave. Yeah, it's not strip-tease friendly at all, is it? But hey, it would ROCK for playing strip poker in terms of ensuring the other players would have to give it all up first.
Nice to meet you, btw. I have heard many good things.
18. Posted by Miss Syl on October 11, 2006
Syl, i dunno which corset it was I was too busy wanting to fuck the woman who put it on me. I can't say it looked fabulous, but it felt pretty interesting.
Rachel, your A cup will do JUST fine. You and miss S. will make a FINE contrast when I... (hmm, there's a scene I should write down)
19. Posted by Elvis on October 11, 2006
Karl: If you write it, they will come.
20. Posted by Miss Syl on October 12, 2006
Oh will they ever.
21. Posted by Rachel on October 12, 2006
I've never made a corset or bodice work with real clothing. I had an amazing bodice that I bought years ago (http://www.moresca.com/home.php). I would only get to wear it a few times a year... I would just wear it with a stretch-lace tank under it. It was deadly sexy, and this is when I was at my heaviest. (Weight loss is why I don't have it any more, and I have been looking for the right replacement.) But I'd find ways to work it into my life... I looked too good not to, and felt amazing.
22. Posted by Roberta on October 28, 2006