[AbiDrew85]

You may want to look at replacing the lacing with nylon cord. The strings on these corsets (at least what's shown in the corset) won't hold up if you are planing to tight lace. I assume that's what you want to do since you mentioned wearing them for such extended periods.

I've actually caused blisters on my hands tight lacing my corsets (of course I do tend to overdo it, as I mentioned above ).

Good luck on the training and keep us informed on how it's going!

Yep, tightlacing is exactly what I'm planning! I'll take your suggestion on advisement, one of the two don't even show the lacing that comes with the corset though! But the second one definitely doesn't look very durable and if the first is at all alike...

Any idea where I should look for some nylon cord of decent length and either black or white dyed on the cheap?

And yeah. I'll definitely keep record of it as part of my overall program thread and if I think about it, I'll mention stuff in this thread too

[Misty0732]

Any idea where I should look for some nylon cord of decent length and either black or white dyed on the cheap?

Here's an eBay link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Heavy-Duty-Corse...0701484833

This looks pretty similar to the lacing on my corsets. The material is very important. If they lacing is cotton they will wear out very quickly. The picture on the Timeless Trends website looks like cotton, but you'll better be able to tell after they arrive.

By the way, I can give you some tips on solo lacing if you'd like. There are lots of examples on YouTube but most of them are just wrong or overly difficult. It's actually quite easy to lace yourself *very tightly* in a corset.

[AbiDrew85]

Here's an eBay link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Heavy-Duty-Corse...0701484833

This looks pretty similar to the lacing on my corsets. The material is very important. If they lacing is cotton they will wear out very quickly. The picture on the Timeless Trends website looks like cotton, but you'll better be able to tell after they arrive.

By the way, I can give you some tips on solo lacing if you'd like. There are lots of examples on YouTube but most of them are just wrong or overly difficult. It's actually quite easy to lace yourself *very tightly* in a corset.

Thanks! And please do! I suspect I won't be getting any help even if I asked for it, so solo is how it's gunna have to be. Though I'm obviously going to be wearing it fairly loose for a little bit as I let the corsets wear in. Slowly tightening down over time.

BTW... Impatience is SO not a "masculine" trait! I know plenty of very patient men and plenty of very impatient women. And the opposite. It's just a personal trait to YOU. There's a chance though that PM could help. Even more though, transitioning. I'm finding that I'm getting a lot more patient than I used to be, and I doubt it's all from hormones, or even largely so. Most of my past impatience was a direct result of me just not being comfortable with myself.

EDIT: I think I'll wait 'till I get my corsets on Friday and check them out before ordering any replacement cords... even if the cords are cotton or something else not very strong they won't wear out THAT quick that waiting a few weeks would hurt much.

[Misty0732]

Okay, here's how you tight-lace a corset by yourself:

1) Loosen the corset by pulling the edges apart and moving your hands in an up/down motion. The important thing here is that the two long loops should be about the same length. Sometimes you have to work at this as it's very easy for one of the loops to get much longer than the other.

2) Attach the corset and fasten each of the busks. If the corset isn't loose enough this can be very difficult to do (so return to step one if you have trouble). Also, make sure the corset is on right-side up! Depending on the corset it is sometimes difficult to tell. The "knot" of the lacing is generally at the bottom. If you do put it on upside down it will be VERY uncomfortable (I know from experience here).

3) Now grab the two hanging loops of cord and hold them in in front of you. Each loop has a "top" and "bottom". The "top" is the one that goes into the top hole, the "bottom" goes into the bottom hole.

4) Let go of the loops, reach both hands behind you and grab the "top" string of each loop right at the holes. Pull them gently forward (and slightly down) till they are at your sides. The "top" strings control the upper half of the corset. To tighten them you will pull the strings DOWN (toward your feet). Before you pull, suck your gut and chest in as much as you can. Then pull both strings AT THE SAME TIME down toward your feet.

5) Now repeat with the "bottom" strings. Only here you will pull UP (toward your head). Remember to "suck your gut in" before you pull. A well made corset will hold its position between the pulls so you don't have to try to keep it from slipping back.

6) Repeat (both top and bottom, alternating) until you can't pull anymore (or until you reach your comfort level).

7) The excess string can be quite long. Corsets are designed to be tied in the back but I find that can leave a pretty big bulge on your back. What I do is wrap the cord around my waist (sometimes twice, depending on the cord length) and then tie it in the front. I cover the corset with a compression garment (really helps smooth the lines) before getting dressed.

That's it! I hope the instructions are clear enough. I may try to make a video at some point for others just starting.

[AbiDrew85]

1) Loosen the corset by pulling the edges apart and moving your hands in an up/down motion. The important thing here is that the two long loops should be about the same length. Sometimes you have to work at this as it's very easy for one of the loops to get much longer than the other.

I'm extremely anal about my laces always being even on ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING I wear that has laces! LOL. So... Not really going to be a problem for me!

7) The excess string can be quite long. Corsets are designed to be tied in the back but I find that can leave a pretty big bulge on your back. What I do is wrap the cord around my waist (sometimes twice, depending on the cord length) and then tie it in the front. I cover the corset with a compression garment (really helps smooth the lines) before getting dressed.

Haha... I already learned this trick with my school's stylist aprons. Well. The looping the cord around your waist. Depending how I'm wearing it, I might do this, or I might just tie a nice big cute bow in the back if I'm wearing it as outer fashion. Or loop it around and tie a nice big cute bow in the front!

That's it! I hope the instructions are clear enough. I may try to make a video at some point for others just starting.

I think so. I'll let you know on probably Sunday for sure. I don't think I really want to play around with trying them on for the first time on a school day. If you can get a video tutorial up before then I'd be more than happy to watch that as well!

[Misty0732]

Forgot to mention something. When you are tight-lacing, you'll find that you can tighten the corset more as the day goes on. If it becomes truly uncomfortable, however, you've gone too far and there is no way you can keep it on 23/7 (your body will need a break). Best to keep it comfortable but noticeably tight, even when re-tightening.

On the days that I have over-done it I got to the point where I was starting to feel real pain. That actually set me back as I had to take a break for a while. It can also *significantly* raise your blood pressure, even to dangerous levels, if it on so tightly that it is uncomfortable.

The real key is slow but steady! As time goes on it will be more comfortable even as you lace further.

And one more thing. I always put my socks on before my corset. It's DARN HARD to put them on once I'm laced!

[mochaccino]

Yaaay Abi, you finally got a corset! Meanwhile I'm on vacation and didn't even bring my corset with me. I can't wait to get started again.

[AbiDrew85]

Forgot to mention something. When you are tight-lacing, you'll find that you can tighten the corset more as the day goes on. If it becomes truly uncomfortable, however, you've gone too far and there is no way you can keep it on 23/7 (your body will need a break). Best to keep it comfortable but noticeably tight, even when re-tightening.

On the days that I have over-done it I got to the point where I was starting to feel real pain. That actually set me back as I had to take a break for a while. It can also *significantly* raise your blood pressure, even to dangerous levels, if it on so tightly that it is uncomfortable.

The real key is slow but steady! As time goes on it will be more comfortable even as you lace further.

And one more thing. I always put my socks on before my corset. It's DARN HARD to put them on once I'm laced!

Yes Mommy! And socks? What are THOSE?! I almost never wear socks and rarely wear hose... just too much hassle imo.

Oh. And I've looked into what cord TT uses a bit more, and it seems it could be one of either cotton or poly. Heavy duty versions of these fabrics, but neither fabric is nearly as durable as some solid nylon. So yeah... I'll be ordering a pair of nylon cords. Thanks for the heads up.

Yaaay Abi, you finally got a corset! Meanwhile I'm on vacation and didn't even bring my corset with me. I can't wait to get started again.

Lies! I'm getting two!

And how dare you not take your corset with you?!

[AbiDrew85]

Any idea where I should look for some nylon cord of decent length and either black or white dyed on the cheap?

Here's an eBay link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Heavy-Duty-Corse...0701484833

This looks pretty similar to the lacing on my corsets. The material is very important. If they lacing is cotton they will wear out very quickly. The picture on the Timeless Trends website looks like cotton, but you'll better be able to tell after they arrive.

By the way, I can give you some tips on solo lacing if you'd like. There are lots of examples on YouTube but most of them are just wrong or overly difficult. It's actually quite easy to lace yourself *very tightly* in a corset.

Uhm. You realize that ebay auction is for poly cord? Which is more than likely the cord my corsets will be shipping with. (I can't imagine they'd ship with the cheaper replacement option being the "default". Not with their reputation. EDIT: And the one where we can clearly see the lacing is definitely their poly cord. The other one looks likely to be their poly cord as well... The poly cord's black is a deeper black.)

[Misty0732]

Uhm. You realize that ebay auction is for poly cord? Which is more than likely the cord my corsets will be shipping with. (I can't imagine they'd ship with the cheaper replacement option being the "default". Not with their reputation. EDIT: And the one where we can clearly see the lacing is definitely their poly cord. The other one looks likely to be their poly cord as well... The poly cord's black is a deeper black.)

You may be right, but the cord I can see is definitely not like the cord on my corsets (I have three, all from Corset-Story). I tried to take a picture of the cord on one of mine but I can't get close enough to show the woven detail in the cord. The picture of the one you ordered looks like cotton to me (with a much finer weave, wider but thinner). Regardless, however, the picture may not be exactly what you receive.

You'll them it in a few days, and you'll be able to tell then. And, as you said, you can always order new cord at a later date if the stock cord breaks or wears thin. Have fun! Wearing a corset can be addicting!