Girdles, Corsets, and Underpinnings

[Inky]

No, the cup size has to do with the difference in total bust measurement vs the underbust/band measurement, not just the total bust measurement. Even if her bust is 2" bigger than yours, she would wear a smaller cup size if the difference between her total measurement and underbust measurement is less than it is for you.

To be honest, after losing so much weight this past year i had NO idea what size bra I wear. I recently went to Victoria's Secret and was measured and in their bras I wear a 38DD. I remeasured my actual bust this morning (ebaying slips hahaha) and it is now a 42, not a 44 (which explains the need for hooking my bra tighter in the last month or so).

I have a big rib cage too, I don't think it is heredity, I think it is from being super morbidly obese almost all of my life.

Getting properly fitted for a bra was the best thing I ever did for my figure. Especially now that gravity has fully taken control of the girls.

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

Also, there's the 'volume' of the breasts that makes a difference. My friend and I wear the same band size and the same bust size around but we are 4 cup sizes different! She just has ... more in all directions except forward!

 

[MissHannah]

So true Fleur... my size varies massively from shop to shop and some shops I can't find anything because the cups are just not the right shape for my ladies. I get double-boob really easily too.

 

[Sunny]

A long-time tight-lacer once told me that after stopping it, after she'd corseted down to I think it was 18 inches on a natural waist of 28 or so, her bottom most rib on both sides became 'loose'. She said it would move considerably if she was hugged or something, and that it was a really odd sensation! I don't know whether it later 're-set' or whatever though.

Weird! I know the bottom ribs are "floating," not attached to the sternum, which makes tight-lacing more possible. I guess hers just loosened even more!

 

[Josephine]

No, the cup size has to do with the difference in total bust measurement vs the underbust/band measurement, not just the total bust measurement. Even if her bust is 2" bigger than yours, she would wear a smaller cup size if the difference between her total measurement and underbust measurement is less than it is for you.

In addition, bras are not made to the same standard, so for her one brand might be a DD, one an F, and another a DDD.

 

[Josephine]

I remeasured my actual bust this morning (ebaying slips hahaha)....

back off my slip! lol

 

[LelaViavonie]

Speaking of Bras...
I bought a VS one months ago.. and is it me.. or do they fall apart easily??

I looked down at my ladies yesterday and noticed that my bra was falling apart.. I thought.. are u kidding me.. already?

Does anyone else have this problem with VS bras?

 

[Inky]

Speaking of Bras...
I bought a VS one months ago.. and is it me.. or do they fall apart easily??

I looked down at my ladies yesterday and noticed that my bra was falling apart.. I thought.. are u kidding me.. already?

Does anyone else have this problem with VS bras?

I have had good luck with them. Do you wash them by hand or by machine? I know my bras last me much longer since I started washing them by hand and line drying. It just think the machines are too harsh.

 

[LelaViavonie]

I have had good luck with them. Do you wash them by hand or by machine? I know my bras last me much longer since I started washing them by hand and line drying. It just think the machines are too harsh.

Inky-
I have done that in the past.. but I think I will do that from now on.. I bought 3 bras.. and 2 out of the 3 have already fallen apart..

Great thought Inky! Thanks!

 

[KittyT]

Does anyone else have this problem with VS bras?

Everything I've ever purchased from VS, with the exception of their stockings, has fallen apart easily.

 

[Lola Getz]

I bought a VS one months ago.. and is it me.. or do they fall apart easily??

I stopped buying VS bras. They fell apart far more quickly than any other brand I've tried. I was not a fan.

 

[LelaViavonie]

BRAS

WHeeew... good to know Im not the only lady havin that problem..

I actually thought.. well mabey cause im so busty that i might be to heavy for the material they use? LOL I know.. i laughed too!

Anyone have any suggestions on a good bra.. that lifts the ladies.. but not sky high?

I cant wear pushup bras cause everytime i bend over i pop out..**grinds her teeth**

Yeah its kind of annoying to have to keep adjusting myself all the time with those push up bras... pluss there is soo much padding in them i can wash a car with it! LOL

P/S i dont buy the bra that are too small.. i like them to fit comfortably.. so i buy a size just a tad bigger for comfort

 

[KittyT]

Anyone have any suggestions on a good bra.. that lifts the ladies.. but not sky high?

I usually wear Vanity Fair style 75-266. It's a nice full-coverage bra with wide, comfortable shoulder straps. The entire cup has a very, very thin, light padding and the overall effect is a nice, smooth, seamless figure. Good for wearing under tshirts and thin blouses that show seam lines. They run about $30 and Vanity Fair frequently has specials at department stores like Buy 2 Get One Free.

 

[SuperKawaiiMama]

A long-time tight-lacer once told me that after stopping it, after she'd corseted down to I think it was 18 inches on a natural waist of 28 or so, her bottom most rib on both sides became 'loose'. She said it would move considerably if she was hugged or something, and that it was a really odd sensation! I don't know whether it later 're-set' or whatever though.

Looks like it pain for beauty again then. Mind you it doesn't sound any worse than the arthritis I am bound to get from my incessant wearing of high heels. I'm not really looking for the tiny waisted Dita look, just trying to keep the whole package tight.

 

[SuperKawaiiMama]

Change of heart

After spending most of yesterday in a corset, I think I may have changed my mind. My back did not thank me for it, and it was almost always on my mind distracting me from the task at hand. Perhaps they are like getting braces, hurt like hell for a while then you get used to it. It probably wasn't a good idea to tackle my first tight lacing for work!

 

[Rachael]

A well made corset should not cause any back pain, and really should be something you don't notice throughout your day. I would recommend getting one made for you, since all the curves have to be in exactly the right place for a correct fit. Also, if you are just starting to cinch it's a good idea to work up gradually so that you can adjust to it. Be sure that when you do cinch to keep the gap parallel, allowing the center back bones to provide back support. Depending on the style of corset you are looking for, I would recommend Lavender's Green since all of their things are custom made.

 

[SuperKawaiiMama]

A well made corset should not cause any back pain, and really should be something you don't notice throughout your day. I would recommend getting one made for you, since all the curves have to be in exactly the right place for a correct fit. Also, if you are just starting to cinch it's a good idea to work up gradually so that you can adjust to it. Be sure that when you do cinch to keep the gap parallel, allowing the center back bones to provide back support. Depending on the style of corset you are looking for, I would recommend Lavender's Green since all of their things are custom made.

Thank you! It was really more of a costume corset, so there was no custom fitting involved. ( I was being model for the day) It is good to know that they aren't meant to feel that way. I'll take you up on your suggestion and visit a specialist maker to see what they can do for me. Much appreciated.

 

[Sunny]

Thank you! It was really more of a costume corset, so there was no custom fitting involved. ( I was being model for the day) It is good to know that they aren't meant to feel that way. I'll take you up on your suggestion and visit a specialist maker to see what they can do for me. Much appreciated.

Yes, that's the way to do it! And I ditto all that Rachael said. Corsets really must be personalized to fit well. Think of how many bra sizes there are, and a corset covers a whole lot more! A new corset should be broken in gradually. And it is definitely a good idea to work up to the cinching. A corset doesn't have to change any measurement - sometimes a Victorian corset will even add to the waistline of a slender person - but it does mold the body and redistribute things slightly. Let your body get used to it before you start tightening things. Good luck and have fun with it!

 

[Josephine]

I'm so confused! I have a dress that I need a very firm girdle to smooth me out under, and I thought I would get either Rago 1294 or 821 (I like the garters on 21, but I read 821 has more control).

But then I read that these two are in the Special Attention line which is lightweight control. So now I'm thinking the 6209, which is in the Shapette line with extra firm body shaping.

Has anyone dealt with the 6209?

My head hurts.

 

[KittyT]

But then I read that these two are in the Special Attention line which is lightweight control. So now I'm thinking the 6209, which is in the Shapette line with extra firm body shaping.

This is incorrect. Both the 1294 and the 821 are firm control.