Q. What is the difference between a department store belt and your waist-training belt?

A. There is a great deal of difference. If you look carefully at the belt, you will see it is extra wide, from 2.25" to 3" wide custom. It is extra thick as well, made of very strong lattigo leather for sturdiness (two thicknesses), and nicely stitched four times. It has a roller buckle and five or six grommets and is larger in diameter than usual grommets in order for you to buckle it on more easily. It is not easy to put the belt on, once you start reducing 2" more from your snug waist size, the level where you should start waist training. You will need those larger grommets.

The training belt will withstand a lot of pounds of pressure at the waistline, likely to mount to 50-70 lbs. once you belt down 4" or more. Thus, it is completely unlike any commercially available belt you could possibly find in department stores. ROMANTASY designed this one specifically for waist training. It works extremely well for many clients.

For lifestyle corseters wearing corsets 24.7, there can be serious skin breakdown (decubitus) where the only remedy is ceasing to corset for some time. It's far better to avoid these problems in the first place because after they occur, the skin becomes extra sensitive and thin. Some use talcum powder under the protector tube top,  while others some don't like it because they find it irritating, much like sand. Using lotion after you corset can be soothing. Udder Cream or a cream containing Vaseline (I found a lovely one in a yellow tube at the Dollar Store!) has been recommended. Note that dry climates can also irritate the skin where it becomes even more important to minimize skin wrinkling and moisture. Wearing our tight CorPro, a contoured tube top, will wick perspiration away from the body, as will wearing a cotton corset such as our Sleep Corset.

Q. What if any effect does the corset have on piercings that are under the corset? Do they become sore, or does the body reject them, etc.?

A. We have not heard of any such result. However, your piercing should be completely healed before corseting.

Q. I've been wearing my Training Belt a bit too long and likely created a sore rib on one side. Can you give me more advice about that?

A. I am sorry to hear about that sore rib. How wide was the belt you are wearing? Remember too, a new belt will generally be very stiff and absolutely horizontal pressing down on the pelvic bone and up on the floating lowest ribs. How many hours per day at what level down from your normal waist measurement were you wearing the belt? You may well have laced down too fast and worn it for too long at one time, possibly before the belt was properly seasoned and comfy as the sides begin to curve outward? Even if you are going slowly, perhaps you went beyond what was recommended or what your body at the time could tolerate. There is no strict standard; listen to your body first of all!

Most of us are not precisely equal side-of-body to side-of-body. It could be that your belt is pressing a bit more on one side of your ribs because of that. You might try placing a piece of thin cotton, bubble wrap, or 1/4" foam rubber over that sore rib when you next wear the belt, or even a corset, as I have done over a sore pelvic bone. Of course as you are doing, wait to belt or corset until your rib is not sore, then don't buckle or lace so tightly. For a corset, you can open up the top edge in back more than the waist and bottom edge when you lace down to the day's desired wearing level. Those steps should help.

Q. I have fibromyalgia. Can I wear corsets?

A. I wish I had an easy answer to that, just like doctors wish they had an easy cure! I'm sure you already know enough about this condition, but the Mayo Clinic website defines it as: "a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points -- places on your body where slight pressure causes pain." Although I don't suffer from this, I discussed the matter with a good friend who does, yet who wore a silver satin overbust corset and skirt for her wedding--but not tightly. I think she rarely wears it these days. She told me that each person is different in terms of how the condition is experienced, and that she would not wear uncomfortable clothing during an episode. Since she is not a corset enthusiast per se, she has never tried her lovely overbust corset while feeling discomfort or pain. What constitutes "comfort" also is an individual matter. Could be that you would feel great support for your muscles from the steel boning and be able to relax more, or it could be the opposite situation. Rather than conclude from the above that corseting is definitely not for you, I would suggest that you might want to try a steel-boned corset on when feeling good and when not, but not lace it tightly. Remember: you are in charge of how tightly you lace down. But remember that when the corset is made custom to a full set of your own measurements, it will contour and skim over your body and likely fit much better than any readymade or standardized pattern of what we like to call "wannabe" corsets on the market! Barring the opportunity to try a real corset on as a sample, you must judge the risk or reward if you decide to purchase a corset (but we have some very inexpensive quality custom corsets to offer you!), as my friend does have days when the pain is intense but that is not every day. If your pain is periodic or episodic, then I suspect you can wear your corset on the days you feel well. After all, I don't wear my corset 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and cinched down 4 or more inches! I choose those days I want the support and those days I don't, I lace down moderately, and dress accordingly.

Q. If I'm corset waist training, should I minimize sugar, or fats, or both?

A. Let's back up a step. As stated on a good website discussion of sugars, http://www.ific.org/foodinsight/2004/ja/fructosefi404.cfm, although it is commonly agreed that overweight and obesity are due to excessive energy intake and lack of physical activity, why and how individuals become obese is linked to multiple causes. There's never one single answer to any single question, right? It seems much more important for you to evaluate your total diet and lifestyle from a comprehensive perspective. Is your energy intake in terms of calories, and your energy expenditure balanced? If not, then you will gain weight, it's just that simple! Look also at what factors unique to you, need to be addressed, taking into account your job, lifestyle, and other considerations. If you have a sedentary job such as at the computer, you will tend to expend less calories than someone who is a UPS delivery person, hopping into and out of her truck all day, and walking to deliver packages. The key is to understand a few general principles about foods and food choices plus how we eat, then pull out the stops in terms of looking at your stress level, sleep quantity and quality, and exercise, plus wearing your corset (which mainly controls portion size and provides a lot of other minor miracles in terms of boosting your figure-trimming mission forward), in order to control your weight and effectively waist train.

Q.  I am a dialysis patient on peritoneal dialysis. I am filled at all times with somewhere between 1500 ml and 2 ½ liters of fluid. I don't know how that will affect corseting, and I'm afraid to ask the nurses at my PD clinic.

A. Please realize that I am not a physician, nor medically trained. In addition, until your question (Nov. 25, 2008) I have never been asked this question, even in my 19 years in this business. Thus, I would be foolish to advise you in any way considering your individual circumstances and must sincerely encourage you to be honest and up-front with your medical support team and seek an accurate answer as to whether and how you could safety wear a custom corset for fashion purposes. As for whether you could corset and waist train, that would require sound medical advice as well. Please know that I am firmly committed to your health and that of my clients as well as myself, and we must consult those responsible professionals we have chosen who are well trained to assist us address serious health concerns. I also suggest you raise with your medical professionals two very moderate steps you possibly could take to gently and reasonably test out how you might respond to corseting, without engaging in independently risky behavior.

The first is to purchase a wide plastic or leather belt (about 3" or so) perhaps at Good Will. Cinch that down 1" from you normal snug waistline, and see what results after you wear it for a few minutes up to an hour. If there is no harm, then wear it the next day for two hours and the next day for three hours. Then cinch down one more grommet or 2," and go back to wearing it two hours and build up. Note any untoward effects and immediately take the belt off if you experience discomfort. The second is to purchase a lightweight body briefer (like the Spanx brand), or even two of same, and wear those in the same manner to see what results. Even wearing a girdle might be informative. Of course, the best test for you is to be able to try on a fine corset that is near to your measurements, then lace gently down 1-2" and stay corseted for a few minutes to see the results, building up to more minutes, then some hours.

I have one repeat corset client who has a colostomy, and he successfully and with no harm, wears his corset by our corsetiere Sheri, perhaps our most comfy maker: http://www.romantasyweb.com/cyboutique/corsetmakers.html He adores his corsets, starts lacing gradually as described above, and does not report any problems.

Regarding construction and hygiene matters, we provided him with two front protectors to go beneath the front laces so he could launder them first if soiled, and also we provided him with several CorPros, tube tops worn beneath his corset and laundered first.  His corset is made out of cotton so it too is hand washable (with care per our instructions). You like him, may order your corset closed back with convenient front lacing to be able to adjust your equipment

As for waist training, that is a question which puts the horse before the cart. You must first resolve the above questions, then understand that based upon my research with generally healthy students and excluding those undergoing dialysis, usually I recommend they start wearing their waist training corset 2 hrs per day working up to as long as they can tolerate or 10-14 hrs. per day, then dropping back to 2 hrs per day and lacing down 1/4" to ½" more and building up hours, and continuing. Some need longer hours of wear, some tighter and faster lacing down to see results. I do not teach lifestyle waist training which is normally understood to require corset wear 24/7 and perhaps end with rather extreme lacing down of 9-10." I take a much more moderate approach to waist training and corseting. What will or may work for you remains to be seen and truly there is no set answer. You would have to pay close attention to your body as to comfort or problems developing, and there can be no guarantee that you might have to terminate training at some point, or even terminate corseting itself.

In consulting your physician, please note that some or even many may not well understand the concept of modern day, moderate, custom corseting.
They imagine only extreme Victorian ladies and succumb to antiquated myths about the 'dangers' of corseting. Yet doctors themselves over time have used medical bracing as the treatment of choice for certain medical conditions, scoliosis and back spasm, for example. And I have many, many physician clients who corset without problem. I have been prescribed a medical corset for serious back spasm, but now wear only my fine, comfortable, well fitting custom corsets if I face that challenge today. My medical corset was so thick, inflexible, and ugly, that it was far less comfy and less conforming to my natural body contours, and was not light weight enough to fit under my clothing and be easily disguised. My modern corsets provide all that. Thus, the issue is being sure that the nurse or doctor whom you consult, really does understand you are referencing your moderate approach to lacing down, with an individually crafted corset made to your individual measurements. If you like, you might refer your medical professionals to my website as well as to my FAQ page, which contains some responsible health information which I always review with several physicians or nurse consultants, most of who corset!

Q. I haven't been wearing my new corset for excessive periods of time, but I've been noticing some slight discomfort in my central back after about twenty minutes. I don't blame the corset. This is the fruit of twenty-some-odd years of poor posture, the same thing my doctor has complained about. I know that the corset is correcting this, and that my back is protesting. In the mean time, have you any advice which might make this more comfortable?

A. As you note, wearing a form-fitting garment is an entirely different experience than wearing today's loosely-fitting, non-conforming fashions. More than likely your body is telling you that it notes the gentle changes you are asking of it as you begin to focus on improved posture and a trimmer waistline. Continue to pay attention to those messages. Since this is only slight discomfort, I would not be overly-concerned, however, you might do the following. Back off a bit more on the tightness with which you are lacing down (take a tape measure and measure over the corset; it should most likely never be more than 3" more than your natural waistline for full figures, or 2" for slim figures). And back off in the number of hours that you are wearing it at one time (usually recommended during seasoning to be no more than
2 hrs). Also wear your back protector under the corset laces, to pad and protect your back. You should also be wearing a very tight CorPro tube top not only to wick body perspiration away from your valuable corset, but to smooth out the skin. Once you have laced halfway down, reach under one arm with the opposite hand and pull the flesh forward to the center front of your body. Then do the reverse. This smoothes out unnecessary skin wrinkling that can tweak as you wear your corset.
Finally, about every 15 minutes be sure you stand up and stretch, or do what we call the "lean-pull" technique". Lean to one side, grasp the opposite bottom side of the corset and gently stretch your ribs while you hold it steady. Reverse. This results in lengthening your torso, improving your posture, and properly re-seating the corset waistline at your own waistline for maximum comfort. Often this process renders corset wearing a lot more comfortable, and can be repeated throughout the day when you begin to feel uncomfortable again. If discomfort ever begins to reach the level of pain, take your corset off or loosen it considerably. We do not recommend testing either your limits or the corset's limits via pain when you are both "corset newbie's!"

Are you wearing your back protector beneath the laces? Do that to pad the back. Before lacing down tight do you reach in front on side underarm and pull the flesh forward, then reverse and pull flesh forward from under the other arm, then lace down? That removes excess wrinkling that traps moisture and might trap or pinch small nerves in the skin with you press down as you lace down. Also I recommend wearing our tight CorPro or a tub top really tight against your body then put the corset on, the do the flesh pull to the front, then lace down.

Q.  I am 19 years old and have a 26 inch waist and just started wearing corsets a month ago off and on.  I want to start wearing them full time but I have the problem that after I am in a corset for about 4 hours my left hip area starts to go numb.  The leg never does but the lower area of the hip does and it hurts a bit.  I do not know if this is normal or what I can do to correct it.  I do not have a custom corset although I did buy a quality underbust that cost about $150.  Please let me know what I can do, if anything.

A. It is good you are doing your homework and understanding corsets, to avoid problems in the future. First, I must suggest that you go back to the manufacturer or purveyor of your corset to ask that question. Any reputable dealer will happily provide customer education with their product, and also follow-up service. I fully expect and hope that the source for your corset will do so.

Not knowing what you have purchased, nor seeing a photograph of the issue you reference, I can only answer in general. Please realize I am not a doctor nor medically trained so can only answer from my research and practical information.

Numbness most likely results from the bottom perimeter of your corset being too tight and pressing down on the anterior femoral nerve that runs over your pelvic bone. This tightness can happen from a measurement being taken too tightly around your pelvic bone (horizontal), or from a U-shaped corset silhouette rather than a wasp or hourglass silhouette Please take a look at the basic variety of body silhouettes created by corsets: http://www.romantasyweb.com/Styles/FigureSilhouettes.html

Either reason will or may lead to your corset pressing down on that nerve with resultant numbness because the blood supply is being cut off from the pressure. Left for a while this condition could become dangerous. Certainly it is not pleasant.

You may simply open up the bottom edge wider than waist and top edge in the back to try to relieve pressure. Or try an hourglass shape corset, or a fully custom corset which will be patterned out over your pelvic measurement. Custom is always better than readymade to ensure a good fit, because it is individually patterned for your measurements. And "quality" is not all that expensive at Romantasy: we have a lovely Sleep Corset at only $175 and a two-layer beginner's corset at only $195--for fully custom work, plus a tight-lacing quality corset by a senior team member, Sharon McCoy Morgan, the "Bella" at only $296--truly amazing prices for the product, preliminary education, and follow-up customer service that we offer our clients. We hope to count you among them soon!  Back to Index.

A. To provide the best possible service and product to our corset enthusiast clients, I decided in 1990 to adopt a business model that is client centered, involving education first before closing a sale.

To produce my product, I settled upon a team concept.  Rather than learn to hone my limited corset-making and seamstress skills, I decided to purchase and wear many custom corsets from many corsetmakers, to personally feel and see their differences, then interview many other corset enthusiasts to learn about what constitutes true "tight-lacing quality." I then searched the world, and continue to search in every possible location, for corsetmakers with a certain level of experience in making tight-lacing, high quality, well-fitting custom corsetry.

Incidentally, it has been incredibly difficult to finding qualified corsetieres for our team approach. Many claim to be corsetieres making tight-lacing corsets, but time and again I examine their work, or see how they relate to projects, clients, and deadlines, and they fall short of my expectations and strict quality standards. Our present team members are all excellent and meet my business standards. However, we always like to connect to other qualified corsetieres out there, and appreciate any referrals.

To deliver both education and product, in January of 1990 I started with a small retail boutique located in the Marina District of San Francisco during which time I decided to launch the world's first corset website in 1995. My primary goal has been to keep the website  foremost in the world as the most fact-based, informative, inspirational, and welcoming to all, no matter the body size or shape, reason for corseting, or gender. I also decided to close my retail venture in late 1998, and then see clients at private fitting appointments in my San Francisco home, or advise on the Internet and via phone consultations. Today, about 75% of my business derives from  long-distance clients, and 65% of my orders derive from men clients, with a small portion of those men not being transgendered, but rather seeking corsets to improve their posture, reduce expanding "beer bellies," or provide back support.

To educate my clients, I help them analyze the choices  from among a wide range of options in corset style, corsetmaker, and regarding the corset, the fit, feel when worn, fabrics and embellishments, and price points. Once our corset is delivered, I stay in email touch, and provide corset maintenance over the years at about cost, plus take corsets back for consignment sale when requested, thus improving the value of our client's investment in art-for-wear. Finding nothing in the marketplace and also finding a lot of misstatements on the web about corsetry and waist training, I also wrote and first published in 2001, a detailed e-book on the topic of health-first waist-training, which I constantly update.

In sum, since opening in 1990 I have worked with from four to ten or more, qualified corsetieres, each specializing in particular corset styles, fabrics, construction techniques, and corsets if various strengths creating various waistline silhouettes and at various price points. Sometimes, our wonderful corsetmakers move on (please view BR Creations, True Grace, and Raven. However, when you choose ROMANTASY for your corset, you may be assured that we will always have a team whose members can readily meet your individual needs. We will not force you to accept one maker, or one style corset only, nor will we attempt to close a sale if we don't have what is best for you.

As of 2008, ROMANTASY works with five team members: Sheri, Sue, Sharon, Jade, and Jill. We have additional corsetieres and seamstresses on staff to provide unique styles or other garments such as our Training Belts , the man's CorVest, and custom skirts, costumes, wedding gowns, posture collars, gloves, purses, and other fashion items to coordinate with your corset. ROMANTASY also offers some private-label standard-patterned corsets that are excellently and reasonably priced.

To find the best style for you, please read this page.  Then consult our galleries to find a client with your figure. Observe how the corset makes their waistline and silhouette look. Tell us the gallery name, page, row, and image from let side and we can tell you who made it and the cost. Back to Index.

Q. In general how long will one corset last if you wear it 5-6 days a week for long periods of time?

A. The rule of thumb is: Wear a well-made custom corset in suitable fabric for waist-training, 24/7 at a 4" reduction and it will wear out in 1-1.5 yrs. Other than that general rule, it is impossible to say with certainty. The answer depends on the following factors, among others: (1) how well you take care of your corset; (2) how little or much you wash or dry clean it (wear it over our CorPro tube top to protect it from body oils); (3) whether you season it properly when you first receive it; (4) whether you rotate it with other corsets in your wardrobe, thus reducing stress on any given corset; (5) how much you lace down from your normal waistline and how long you wear it at that level; (6) whether you tie the ribbons in front (that rubs the fabric) or in back; (7) the nature and quality of the fabric both outer and lining; (8) whether the corset has waist tape or not; (9) whether the corset fabric is bonded, or the corset is interface; (10) the nature of the thread and the seaming used; (11) the number of bone casings (double, triple and quadruple bones laid side by side, or even one bone on top of another, will strengthen the corset); and other.

Q. Because a corset is somewhat thick, I know that the outside measurement is a bit larger than my actual waistline under the corset. But how much does my corset add?

A. There are several ways to determine this, however, please know that measuring a corset in the same style for the same person but produced by different makers, will or may result in a difference. That is because corsetieres use various weights and styles of boning, busks, fabric, and layers of material, interfacing or bonding, causing variations in thickness of the completed corset. Our experience suggests that your waist measurement under your corset, may vary from the outside measurement of your corset, of from 3/4" to 1.25". You may determine this matter more precisely, by using two methods we know about. The first one is to locate a non-stretchy tape measure, place it around your waist, then tie it loosely in front of your waist. Put on your corset and clip it, and let the edges of the tape measure come out from between the front busk split. Untie the tape measure and let the loose edges dangle downward. Then tighten your corset as usual, occasionally gently pulling the tape forward. Try not to stretch the tape. Once you are laced down, read the tape measure and write the results down. Then take another tape measure and measure over the corset at the same location, and find the difference. That should give you the thickness of Sharon's corset.  The second method is to take a rigid dress form and measure the waistline. Then lace your corset over it, and measure the waistline, then take the difference.

Q.    If I want to lose weight, would I be wasting a lot of money on a garment that I may not fit into for long, or does the corset adjust down in size?

A.    This is a good question. Here are your answers:

1. We ask you to update your horizontal measurements right before the corset is cut (they take from 1 to 6 months or more to produce without rush fees, due to the high demand and few qualified corset makers in the world.), so that your final corset is as nearly perfect as we can make it, and will provide you at least reasonable waist reduction for many years.
    
2. Eventually, your first corset may become comfortable as you get used to it, or even lose waistline inches, and then you can turn that corset into a maintenance or a sleep corset, or simply use it as a good, firm foundation that provides back support and control, even if there is no substantial waist reduction. At that point you might wish to order your next-sized down custom corset to continue training. You may even write us for permission to send yours back for us to consign and help you sell, or sell it on Ebay. In some circumstances, we can cut out about 1-1.5" in the waistline (from $75-100 expense for that service) and return it to you for many more years of wear.
    
3. When you update your measurements (we tell you when to do so), we together decide how much of a gap to make in the back.
    
4. Most people can easily lace down 1.5-3" and wear the corset for 4-8 hours rather easily. More will take time, as will properly seasoning the corset so you do not strain and damage the fabric and front busk. Thus, we decide how MUCH more we need of a gap to ensure that as you lose weight and learn to lace down more over time, there is still a gap to pull closed in back.
    
5. Remember. your goal in waist training should be to close the gap in back fully then wear the corset for hours and hours at a time--comfortably.  It is not impressive nor effective for permanent body reshaping or weight loss, to lace down quickly (in ten minutes for example) and wear it only for ten minutes then have to loosen or take off your corset.
   
   
6. If the gap is too wide (see photo right), the bones at the waistline in back could twist in the casings and bend outward, digging into your tender waistline in a very uncomfortable, even painful way and you will have to loosen or take off your corset.  The proper gap is a judgment call based upon the facts you provide your corset maker, and your corset makers long experience.
    
7. Even so, it is virtually impossible to tell, especially long distance, how "squishy" any particular individual may be, or how well or poorly she/he will take to corseting and waist restriction. That is a matter also, of genetics. For example, some people with a 45" waistline are very squishy and can easily lace down, and some are very firm and cannot lace down easily. You should tell us if you are squishy or firm at the waistline when you place your order.  Sometimes you and we exercise our best judgment about how much gap to put in the back, and you still find you can rather easily and quickly close down your first corset more than anticipated; sometimes it is the opposite. Personal traits and corseting reactions cannot be readily judged long distance. Even if we can see you personally and palpate your waistline muscles, sometimes we cannot accurate predict what will actually happen to your individual, flexible and malleable torso.
    
8. Please note. Producing corsets and waist training are not matters of hard science or easy prediction, but rather a melding of art, science, your genetics, corset-making and waist-training experience of your corset business advisor, and luck.

Q. Does price really matter (see photo of corset made too large at bottom edge)?

A. Yes and no. If you buy the cheapest custom corset you can find, it may not be made up to standards in the profession if the maker is new and inexperienced. You may even receive misleading advice, such as one person who had been told by another business that she was ordering "custom," when all she was actually getting was a readymade corset based solely on her waist size which was the sole measurement that had been requested! More experienced makers as those at ROMANTASY have perfected their designs, fitting and construction techniques, and constructed at least 50 fully-custom corsets and more like 200 and more per style!, and for this expertise you will likely pay more--and rightly so! Also, ROMANTASY provides customer service and support AFTER your initial purchase--something many other corsetmakers will not provide. We help you maintain your corset over time at cost, by replacing bones or busks you may break, replace edging, and other. Please read this interesting viewpoint about price vs. quality.

Q. I want to purchase a custom mens' underbust stay or your CorVest, but my wife might think that the expenditure is unwarranted.

A. In that case, I fear that neither the CorVest nor a mens' stay will be suitable for your apparent budget constraints. Since the CorVest is a unique, custom, steel boned garment like a corset, pricing starts at $395, and usually runs around $500 once the final design and fabric are chosen (collar or no collar? front zipper or lacing? cotton or handsome brocade?, etc.).

As for the price of Romantasy products in general, I have thought long and hard about corsetry, quality in dressing, and the prodigious skill level of my wonderful and talented corsetieres, talent which surely must be compensated adequately. My business stands for quality, but also for fairness to my corsetieres, and prior education of the consumer to appreciate old fashioned values, ways of doing business, and also quality rather than quantity in elegant dressing: Our Business Values

I have written about the matter of price versus quality in several places on my website, hoping that clients will educate themselves on the matter to avoid costly mistakes of purchasing the wrong garment from the wrong or unscrupulous business (and there are many out there), businesses who seek the fast sale and who won't stand behind their product, nor compensate their worker-artisans fairly: Cost vs Quality. See also "Once More With Feeling"

You may conclude as have I, that I don't fit well in today's "want it now, throw it away tomorrow" world for sure, however, this is my chosen professional and personal position on corsetry and quality, and the way I want to pursue my business and passion.

However, with the coming of a dismal economy in early 2008, Romantasy responsibly met this challenge for client and small business alike, in several ways. First, we introduced to market a truly inexpensive yet fully custom underbust corset/mens stay produced by an up and coming young corsetiere on our team, Jill Hoverman, for only $165 for a single layer underbust stay/corset, or $195 for a four layer corset--an astounding price! Second, our senior corsetiere Sharon lowered her pricing early this year, on her Bella style, which can be made as a mans' stay as well, both seen here. Third, we promoted a new style that corsetiere Jade Locke had introduced fall of 2007, the economical and adorable "Sleep Corset" designed as a response to requests by our clients living in hot weather locations -- and also responding to 2008 budgetary constraints--priced at the moderate price of only $195 for this fully custom underbust in fine cotton coutile. Fourth, we initiated occasional brand new contests and "giveaways" of entire corsets and substantial discounts, because we want new corset enthusiasts to invest wisely and well in quality corsetry, and not purchase an inferior, imported "wannabe" corset that will or may ruin their incipient love of corsetry with a disappointing and uncomfortable experience.

Since women's bras (non custom, non boned) start about $60 and French Bras start at $150 to $300 and up, and considering our points above, we hope you will now agree that Romantasy's pricing for the high level of client service and quality we offer, is truly responsive to your budget concerns, is justifiable, and even in some circumstances, is well below market value. Back to Index.

Q. Here is a photo of me in my readymade corset. Is it suitable for waist training or do I really need to place a custom corset order?

A. As is generally true with any readymade corset, even well made ones, the one pictured is patterned using a standard female body that is more slender and model-like than your figure (or for that matter, my figure!). That means that the bottom half of the corset is not patterned wide enough around the bottom perimeter to accommodate our more generous, mature hips, but also patterned narrow enough in the top half along the upper perimeter to snug up to our rib cage. Thus, when wearing you are now forced to open the bottom half of your corset wider than the top half, in order avoid flesh squishing out from the bottom edge. Not keeping the back gap more or less parallel during wearing, can or may result in eventual torquing or twisting of the corset. It definitely results in gaping of the front bottom edge that I see. You may want to sew a heavy hook and eye on the front bottom hem to snap to avoid the gaping and then open up the bottom edge of your corset even more for an improved fit.

More of a problem to my view for the full figure, is the U-shape this corset creates on your figure at the waistline. Take a look at the standard figure silhouettes presented on this web page to see what I mean:
http://www.romantasyweb.com/Styles/FigureSilhouettes.html

What works better for curvy figures like you and I have, is a corset creating the hourglass, or even the wasp, silhouette, if we want true comfort and proper fit. The hip panels will then be properly curved out and over our wider hipbones, and the hourglass shape will not press down on our pelvic bone as will the U-shape when we lace tighter. To press on that pelvic bone may or can eventually may lead to uncomfortable and possibly dangerous numbness in the legs if the anterior femoral nerve is flattened during corset wear. Because of that danger, you cannot lace down as much in your present corset, as you would be able to do in a custom-made hourglass or wasp style.

None of this means you can't waist train in your present corset. The point is to watch out for nerve or leg numbness from pressing on that hip bone. Then, as soon as you are able, order good custom hourglass corset!

Q. Can I really move my ribs with corseting?

A. You may have already noticed on our Figure Silhouette page how corseting with a corset creating the ice cream cone silhouette can immediately move torso flesh inward to narrow the rib cage visually. Take a look at Bret, our waist training coaching program student seen here, Note his narrowed upper torso and the silhouette his corset creates. His main focus however is not rib-narrowing per se, but reduction of body fat and health, thus we have no hard data on how much, if any, rib movement he has experienced over time. However, we've heard enough stories about how wearing a narrow-torso "ice cream cone"-silhouetted corset may result in /permanent rib slimming/ over time, although that will likely take one or more years of almost daily-wear. We know from one client's experience that it can happen. Take a look at Elaine in the two images right side at the middle of the Transgender Corset Page, After wearing our rib-slimming 1901 style corset by Michael Garrod (True Grace Corset Company) for one year every day up to 10 hours per day, we measured her ribs and verified a one-inch reduction! We remain convinced it was rib movement inward, and not floss of flesh (as was most likely the case with Amy shown on the same page at the top), because Elaine dedicated herself to one full year of almost daily corset wear at quite a snug level, pus coupled it with wearing a tight vest she constructed. In addition, she was already a very slim individual when she began corset rib training, had not much body fat content, and did not lose any weight during the process. We have had a few other clients, both women and men, attempt rib training in our corsets, but we have not received any further information back as to their success or lack thereof. The 1901 style is clearly "the" corset of choice for any client desiring to narrow the torso visually to achieve a slimmer silhouette and also improve the fit of bodices of women's garments. The lovely spiraling boning pattern of this unique corset slightly pulls the rib cage forward and inward visually. Over many months if not years of dedicated wear of this style, the ribs can actually move inward as Elaine experienced and we verified.

Q. I am curious if after waist training, does your waist eventually go back to normal if you discontinue use?

A. We all know that if we diet, then pig out on Krispy Kremes we will gain all that weight back; that is common sense. Some lifestyle change is required in exercise and nutrition, and we must be moderate in how we eat, how much, and our food choices. A chapter in my book is devoted to waist maintenance after corset waist training. I suggest that wearing a corset or tight belt 3 times per week (especially when we dine) will most likely remind us to cut back on portions of what we eat, It will also remind us to stand up straight, hold our muscles properly in, and not slouch, to improve our posture and maintain a trim figure over time.
Some of my coaching students have gained some of the weight lost back, but not all. I am aware of only one who has gained it all back because multiple stressors occurred all at once in her life causing her to revert to poor eating habits.

Can I effectively waist train at my age of mid-fifties?

A.  We know from fashion history that during Victorian times that young girls were placed first into a light training corset, then into a more restrictive, steel-boned and formal corset as they grew older. For that reason, many evidenced very narrow rib cages and rarely complained about the discomfort of tight lacing. Others were not corseted so early and thus might have tended to rail against precipitous lacing down during late teen-aged years when they were put into corsets as a matter of family preference and fashion. Because today we know that long bones do not complete growth in young women until aged 18 or later, I feel it is unwise for anyone below 18 to waist train. I know of no reason that a /generally healthy individual /cannot waist train at any age, considering of course any particular individual health issue that might mitigate against moving too fast or too far in the lacing down process.

Q. When I am wearing my corset but at the same time want out of it, is there a way to force myself to keep it on? It always seems that I let it get the best of me and I take it off.

A. You should NEVER "force" yourself to keep your corset on. You reported that your new readymade corset already tweaks your hipbone and causes numbness down your leg, a possibly dangerous condition! Pain and even discomfort, are important messages to you from your body that something is wrong. Maybe dreadfully wrong--or soon will be! Of course sometimes you want to challenge yourself when corseting and that is appropriate, but it requires good background information about the body and corseting as well, and the proper choice of style and silhouette created by your corset. My book Corset Magic is full of suggestions about how to challenge yourself, and select the proper corset for waist training and long hours of wear, yet never move into pain or endanger your body and health while you are corseting. 

Q. I've been married for 22 years and during this time my wife has slowly added a few pounds per year to the extent that she has slowly "grown" from a size 12 to a 2XL. She has tried various diets, exercise programs and even medical specialists. I'm wondering if the look and appearance that a corset promotes would help her gain the confidence to see a weight loss program to the end. Could you send her an email that promotes corsets and your figure-shaping services as a way to regain the figure of her youth?

A. First and foremost, do consider that like dealing with an addiction, no one can make the decision to change anyone else when it comes to size or shape. I'm sure you realize that. But having information on what can be a novel and truly fun and effective way to improve one's posture and health by wearing corsets, can be helpful and can spark the imagination.  If you can think of some way for me to send your wife some information or a flyer, I'm happy to do so. I also have a catalog for sale containing many lovely corset photography and lots of information:
http://romantasyweb.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=R&Category_Code=c

Could you tell her that you were surfing the web, and for some reason that makes sense, happened upon this most lovely site with gorgeous fashionable and functional corsets? Could you send her to one or more of these fun, inspirational, and informative web pages to take a look?
http://www.romantasyweb.com/second-level-pages/introcorsetmagic.html
http://www.romantasyweb.com/Elegant_Line/CoutureDesignGallery.html
http://www.romantasyweb.com/second-level-pages/before-and-after-photos.html
http://www.romantasyweb.com/cyboutique/corset/vbodies.shtml
http://www.romantasyweb.com/all-galleries/galleries/fullfigure-page-1.htm

You might also refer her to our waist training pages and the amazing before and after photos of real clients who have worn a corset for only three short months coupled with good nutrition and a wee bit of waist targeted exercise to lose a lot of weight and inches: http://www.romantasyweb.com/cyboutique/Workshops/WaistTraining.shtml
Ms. X was 350 pounds and lost 50 of them in three months:  http://www.romantasyweb.com/cyboutique/Workshops/pers_accounts.html

I'd happily advise your wife on the right corset for her that would be comfortable and work well as a foundation garment to improve posture and give good back support, or even to waist train if she gets interested.  Were you folks local to the Bay Area, you would be welcome to join our next Corset Soiree party at the famous Fairmont Hotel, announced periodically on our home page. You may see some former Soiree photographs at the bottom of our gallery page here:
http://www.romantasyweb.com/all-galleries/galleries/index.htm  I do hope this helps! Please let me know if there is anything further I can do to assist.  Back to Index.

Q. Can you wear the corset to bed and sleep in it all night?

A. Yes, but only after you break it in thoroughly and practice sleeping, otherwise it may permanently twist and torque so that you cannot straighten it up even when you wear it during the day. It will have to be a bit looser at night for most folks and it may take you several tries before you can sleep all night long while corseted.

Q. How do I order?

A. It's easy to order.

- First (for corsets), view our custom consignment corsets for immediate sale, in case you don't want a custom corset. For custom corsets, view our best styles, fabric choices, and general prices and design options appearing at the bottom of each corset maker's page. For other products, visit our Shopping .
- Second, if you need advice or a final corset price, don't hesitate to email us at: .
- Third, when you have decided on your corset style, maker, and fabric, send us your measurements from this page We'll get back to you with a final price and approximate delivery
- Fourth, review our terms and conditions of sales.
- Fifth,
(1) visit our handy Shopping Cart to order, or
(2) email us. We'll take the proper one-half deposit plus a deposit on shipping, then send confirming paperwork to your snail mail address.

Q. What is the best style for me?

A. Without knowing more that is impossible to answer. Please read this page and get back to us with your answers.

Q. I was wondering if training your waist at a young-ish age is easier than at an older age? I'm 16 (going on 17) and I've been looking into corset training for years.

A. You have asked an important question, one that has an easy factual answer: Yes.

Fashion historians say that there were at least two approaches to corseting the young during Victorian times. One approach put girls into structured unboned, or lightly-boned, bodices, then later, into boned corsets, starting at the age of eight or ten. The other approach did not corset the young lady until she reached mid- to late-teens. We can speculate that it was the latter group of girls who most complained and inveigled against corsets and tight-lacing, because their bones were more formed at that time and their bodies less accustomed to restriction, than were the younger corseted children. Also likely is that the younger group enjoyed much smaller waistline dimensions throughout their corseting practices.

You have not asked *a much more crucial question* that must be addressed before you, or anyone, jumps into serious waist-training or remarkable waist reduction, even on a temporary basis. And that question is, "at my age of 16 is it HEALTHY for me to waist train?" If you-- like Romantasy-- value and believe that health comes first, then you will avoid serious waist training now, and only wear corsets with a 2-3" temporary reduction, and from time to time as fashion garments. The reason? Women's bones do not complete growth until age 20 and older! If you begin to restrict their growth now, you increase your risk of osteoporosis in your later years, something you may not appreciate now, but you will when you reach the post-menopause stage of your life.

For the above reasons, we will not accept a student into our formal ROMANTASY Waist Training Coaching Program until she is at least 21 years old. On rare occasions, after an email or telephone exchange with a young caller, we will make a custom corset with a moderate waist reduction potential. However, we must be convinced that this client shares our priority of health first. We must also be convinced that she has common sense, and agrees to exercise it at all times when wearing a corset. Back to Index.

Q. I've heard that a corset can help with back soreness and pain. Is that true?

A. Please realize that we are not medical experts nor medically trained. Therefore, we cannot render a medical opinion, nor make medical claims regarding our corsets. However, we can speak from our personal experience, as well as can let our clients tell their own stories about relief they have experienced from back soreness and pain when wearing a well-fitting custom corset. I suffered for 30 years from occasional disabling back spasms. I used to grab my thick, white cotton-with-buckles medical corset whenever that happened, until the spasm passed. Some years later I discovered thick rubber waist supports. I hated them both. They never fit under clothing and the white one was so stiff as to render me practically upright or prone in bed! ... Until I discovered custom corsets in 1989 -- then threw out the medical versions and never looked back!

Perhaps the most amazing example is that from mid-2008 concerning a lady who attended a corset muslin fitting with her friend and our client. Before they left, I tried an elegant silk underbust corset on the lady, whom we had learned was forced to quit her former long career as a masseuse because of several terrible car accidents that had seriously damaged her neck and back (corset was designed by our senior corsetiere, Sheri). Sitting primly corseted on the couch for a few minutes, my client and I noticed his friend with her face in her hands, softly weeping. I was stunned, the more so when after a few moments she lifted her face which seemed to be radiating pure joy. "For the first time in years, my back feels so wonderful and I am pain-free!" she exclaimed. It was truly a magical moment for all of us, as it well may be for you and your ailing back!

Yet another mid-2008 client, Cherie, ordered a corset by our youngest corsetiere Jill, because the client fractured her spine and had a couple of compressed discs. She was resolved to wearing a medical back brace alternating with a "Squeem," a rubberized and lightly-boned support garment, when she found us. Here is what she said a few days after receiving her corset: "Dear Ann, Greetings. I just wanted to let you know how pleased I am with my Victorian Under bust Corset by Jill Hoverman. The workmanship is excellent and the fit is perfect. My mom came over to look at the finished product, and she gushed with pride and said we (she) did an excellent job with the measurements. This corset is so perfect it looks as if I was born with it. When I put it on I feel beautiful, fractured spine and all. I am no longer in pain, and the corset is much cooler than my ugly back brace. I would like to also send an e-mail to Jill to tell her how pleased I am. I have a feeling it won't be long before she is one of your senior corsetieres. Beautiful work for a busy young mom. Once again I thank you. I'll be saving up as I would like to have the same corset done up in red satin as well navy blue. Corset hugs right back at ya:)."

 Nothing can make me happier than hearing similar stories over the years, such as Chris' story in 2000. Here it is in his own words: "I am so pleased with (my new corset), it is impossible to find words that describe how it feels to now be able to do things that I wasn't supposed to do any more in my life! I've had people come up to me and say, "I thought you broke your back? What are you doing on the track riding?" They can't believe I am back riding again, or working out or shoeing horses. I've been wearing the corset you made for me quite regularly and it is doing well. I haven't had a pain pill of any kind since I've been wearing it. Had a good ride today and feel fine--no back problems at all. The corset also makes you sit up straight and in a more balanced riding position. Therefore, the horse seems happier and responds more quickly. Thanks for making my life easier. If you ever need a reference as to what a corset will do, feel free to have customers contact me at my email address: WCRMRR2@aol.com I will be glad to help anyone get back to living and enjoying life again. After all, it's not how long you live, it's the challenges you face while you're here! Thank you for helping me." Chris Rule  (2/13/00) Please see other client stories.

Q. Should I worry about losing my back strength?

A. Not really, unless you are going to do what is known as "lifestyle corseting" 24/7. In that case yes, you will most likely lose muscle tone and at some point be unable to go without your corset because of back tenderness or pain. This is why we support never waist training or wear of corsets more than six days per week, using the seventh day to test your back strength, noting any soreness developing. It's for that reason that we also strongly support both daily back strengthening and back flexing exercises that we explain in our Corset Magic book, or which you may get from a qualified Physical Therapist. Back to Index.