Low cost chinese shop corsets vs regular cost

Ah, thought I'd weigh in with my experience here, as I had to make a real corset for my HND in theatre design (we were doing costumes and props). I was a stone lighter in weight then, as it was over five years ago and a proper corset, with good quality boning (steel instead of whalebone, obviously) and a proper patern, where we each made one to fit ourselves and honestly, I wouldn't be prepared to buy a corset (not a lightly-boned top, but a real one) for less than fifty quid, unless it was second-hand. The amount of work and materials that go into a real one is amazing, I wouldn't make another one again either, so damned difficult!

Also, for those of us with a, ahem, fuller figure, like myself, those little diddy corset tops - even if you can find one above a UK size 12, which is unusual - aren't very good, as there's no boob support so you still might have to wear a bra underneath, and really it's no different to me than wearing a tight top. Oh how I wish I were tiny!

As for cheaper clothes - charity shops and the sewing machine are your friends. I've only ever found jeans that fit right (and aren't those hip-hugging things) in charity shops, often good quality labels too,a nd as yet I'm not oversized that I can't usually find something that fits that is eaither quite nice already or just needs a little modification.

I wish I could sew but I'm not a very patient person. Also, for a corset, it might cost as much to buy the raw materials as buying one ready made. I've seen steel boned corsets selling for around $50 and fashion corsets can be bought for about $15 on eBay. But I suppose there would be a feeling of pride knowing you actually made one and you could make it look anyway you want. It might be too hard making a corset from scratch though. If I do decide to start sewing, I'll stick to something simpler.

DarkFlights wrote:

Ah, thought I'd weigh in with my experience here, as I had to make a real corset for my HND in theatre design (we were doing costumes and props). I was a stone lighter in weight then, as it was over five years ago and a proper corset, with good quality boning (steel instead of whalebone, obviously) and a proper patern, where we each made one to fit ourselves and honestly, I wouldn't be prepared to buy a corset (not a lightly-boned top, but a real one) for less than fifty quid, unless it was second-hand.

I agree! All of my proper corsets were easily over 50 pounds..I find the price is really worth it when you get a proper hourglass shape, as opposed to cheaper corset-style tops that don't really do much for you shape-wise and are more for decorative purposes.

I don't really think that a corset is so complicated to sew, you just need a good pattern to start with and then time becasue you have a lot of small parts you have to sew together - one of my friends has sewn a couple of corsets, so I know from her. Naturally, the more sewing practise you have, the easier it is.
Overbust is a lot more complicated then underbust, but also it depends from person to person - it's harder to sew a proper overbust for someone who has a small weist but big boobs... :silly:

My first corset was a proper black victorain overbust with steel bones - cost me some 110€ at that time, but was worth every cent.

black_magnolia wrote:

it's harder to sew a proper overbust for someone who has a small weist but big boobs... :silly:

Should be easy for me to make one for myself then since I won't have this problem. lol

black_magnolia wrote:

My first corset was a proper black victorain overbust with steel bones - cost me some 110€ at that time, but was worth every cent.

Are steel boned corsets terribly uncomfortable? I've always been scared that they would feel like you're being suffocated.

firensia wrote:

black_magnolia wrote:

it's harder to sew a proper overbust for someone who has a small weist but big boobs... :silly:

Should be easy for me to make one for myself then since I won't have this problem. lol

black_magnolia wrote:

My first corset was a proper black victorain overbust with steel bones - cost me some 110€ at that time, but was worth every cent.

Are steel boned corsets terribly uncomfortable? I've always been scared that they would feel like you're being suffocated.

I'd say they're more comfy than the more decorative, plastic boned ones. :blink: In fact, I'd say they're very comfy anytime, anyday!