How Much Waist Reduction?

There are multiple variables that can affect waist reduction. Waist reduction is not a ‘one size fits all’ sort of topic, but should be chosen with careful consideration regarding your body. Once your corset order is placed, a Ma Corsetière designer will be in contact with you to receive your measurements and needs for your corset. If you are unsure of how much waist reduction you want to include in your corset, the designer is there to help make the best decision for your needs and body. 

In the meantime, here are some factors that affect the decision of how much waist reduction you should consider for your corset: 

 

  1. You have low body fat and high abdominal muscle mass.

Muscle is harder to compress than flesh. Typically, the more muscle mass you have in your abdominal region, the more resistance you face when trying to tightlace. More ‘fleshy’ abdomens can usually achieve a much larger waist reduction with ease when compared to highly muscular abdomens. For highly muscular bodies, we recommend beginning at a 2” waist reduction. Our corset patterns are created with a lacing gap, meaning you can always lace the corset tighter in the waistline after your body adjusts. 

  1. Your torso is short. There is not much space between the ribs and hip bones.

Unlike normal garments, the waist placement of a corset is especially important. Since the waist is normally reduced in a corset, you do not want that reduction to lie at any place other than your waistline. Your waistline is the most malleable part of the torso, and therefore can be reduced comfortably, unlike your ribs or hip bones. However, if the space between your ribs and bones is minimal, that does not leave a lot of room for the waist to be reduced comfortably. People with shorter torsos have a harder time achieving a large waist reduction. We recommend beginning at a 2” waist reduction. Our corset patterns are created with a lacing gap, meaning you can always lace the corset tighter in the waistline after your body adjusts. 

  1. You want to wear your corset day-to-day.

For the most comfortable fit, we recommend a 2” waist reduction. A 2” waist reduction is a great measurement that can be worn all day or night comfortably and with great ease. Any reductions above 3” is not recommended for new corset wearers unless they have previously tried on a corset with a reduction above 3”.

  1. You are an experienced corset wearer.

If you are an experienced corset wearer, we recommend comparing your natural waist measurement to your waist measurement in your smallest corset. If you have experience with a corset and know you can comfortably tightlace, Ma Corsetière offers larger reductions as well. Please use your best judgement on how much reduction you want taken out of your corset and realize that not all bodies can tightlace the same. Ma Corsetière is not responsible for corsets that are sewn with too large of a waist reduction after you have requested it.

  1. You want your corset to fit like a top.

If you want your corset to fit more like a fashionable top, we recommend requesting a 1” waist reduction. This keeps everything in place, but has little to no constriction upon the waist.