disclaimer: i'm talking about steel boned quality corsets, there are cheaper corsets but they are more for fashion than function, and they can hurt you if tied too tightly. i've heard waist shapers and abdominal binders like the ones for c-sections can help w pots too, but i haven't tried them
extra disclaimer: i've only been corseting since april, so i can't give much more than links, regurgitated info, brands, and 3 and a half months of personal experience
the blog lucy's corsetry has a lot of info and corset reviews(she's also on youtube, and you can email her directly for corset sizing help). lucy also works w timeless trends
here's her list of corset shops by location. it includes details like if they make medical, costume, or historical corsets or not. i don't use a medical corset for my pots personally, i just have standard modern corsets
and a video of how to take measurements, on Timeless Trends's website
i already technically linked timeless trends but here's their website. make sure to check their page on how to read hip and rib spring for sizing, and corset care. you can look that info up anywhere tbh but i already had their website open😭
timeless trends has a novice line, which is cheaper than the rest of their corsets
they also have a page of discounted corsets that have been returned (they're in new condition, and cleaned and inspected and such)
and i saw a code on tiktok for 10% off but idk if it would still work: rebeccarose_10
here's Mystic City Corsets
they have a very wide variety of corsets. they are pretty stiff tho and might require extra breaking in. and they're very curvy
they have a chart of all the measurements of their corsets, for me personally i went for one of the least curvy ones bc it was only my second corset and i need compression more than shaping (i got the mcc25).
i haven't gotten a corset from them but i think papercats has affordable corsets. if i remember right they're $55-90 in USD?? they're too long for my torso so i mostly just look at them wistfully lol
if you have money to spend or want the highest quality, there's Dark Garden Corsetry but i have not tried them either.
@c.milne on tiktok used to work there, and has a playlist of corset info, and a pinned video of corset sellers, general price points, which brands have had iffy reputations and reviews, and blogs
additional misc info to look into when you are researching on your own (these can be found on c.milne's tiktok, lucy's corsetry blog or youtube, or on mystic city's or timeless trends's website, or you can just google them. there just too many little details to fit into one post):
corset seasoning. that's just breaking it in. everyone has different methods for it. there's some argument over if it's needed (sketchy brands will sell you a low quality or badly fitting corset and tell you that you need to season it, just to get you to keep it past the date you can return it) but for your first corset i would definitely recommend it to get your body used to the corset and to make sure it isn't hurting you or bruising, before you wear it for longer periods
lowkey the more comfortable i get w corseting the less i season, EXCEPT for my mystic city corset bc they use stiffer materials and i want to soften it more before i wear it for long periods. but my timeless trends corset fits perfectly and is comfortable so i won't be seasoning it🧍
corset care, and storage: don't put it in the washing machine or submerge it in water(it can cause the bones to rust), (there are ways to clean a corset but currently i don't remember other than the spraying of vodka. being a thing,,,,) and wear something like a camisole under it to keep any sweat or body oils from getting on it so it stays clean longer. also hang it over the back of a chair or on a hanger by it's laces to air it out after wearing it, then you can store it away after ~24 hours. i just leave mine hanging tbh. and loosen the laces a lot before putting on and taking off a corset to protect the hooks and pins in the front.
lacing: the gap in the back should ideally be parallel, but a slight /\ or \/ is okay. but a )( or () can warp the boning or mean that the corset is not the right shape for you (a )( gap would mean it's not curvy enough for your body type, and a () would mean it's too curvy. ) i found a link w info and pictures of what i mean
also how to put on a corset is important
materials: this isn't life changing information, i just wanted to mention that mesh corsets are more breathable and thinner which makes them better for wearing under clothes or in hot weather.
how to know if your corset is upside down or not: usually the hooks/metal loops on the front are on the right side, garter tabs on the bottom, and the knot in the laces is usually at the bottom. most corsets have a longer circumference at the bottom than the top. it's hard to tell at first
custom or bespoke corsets: i've never gotten one, i just needed to mention they exist and are more expensive but from what i hear they're worth it. many corset shops only do bespoke. they also would not need seasoning afaik
cost: corsets can get very expensive bc they take a lot of skill to make and expensive materials, but a good corset is made to last. if a corset it $10-40USD it likely isn't well made or exploits workers or both
corset making: there are guides, classes, patterns and youtube videos on how to make a corset. i don't know much about them bc i hate sewing😭 i think vanyanis has online classes rn and i believe redthreaded has good patterns
if it hurts, makes any part of you tingle or go numb, or makes you feel out of breath or lightheaded, take it off. it may not be the right size or shape for your body or you could be wearing it incorrectly or too tightly. lucy could explain it better than i can, i just wanted to make sure i mention this bc sometimes ppl expect corsets to hurt and then push through pain when it's not safe
that's all i got off the top of my head rn🧍
