A well made corset is true to size. A size 30" will measure 30" when closed, a size 22" will measure 22" when closed, etc. So sticking exclusively to the numbers and the cinch capacity a corset has (4" to 5" cinch for a steel bone and 6" to 7" cinch for a waist trainer), the size chart is your best friend when determining which size to select.
But what about those of us who have measured ourselves, stuck to the chart and still find ourselves with a corset that is either too large or too small? Should we guesstimate which size to request as our exchange? Should we just give up and assume waist training isn't right for us?
Nope! And here are 3 tips on how you can figure out which size you should go with as your exchange if you followed the size chart to a "T" and were still left with a less than ideal fit:
1. Fully unlace your corset before putting it on
And by "fully", I mean fully! With the back laces unlaced to their fullest capacity (without untying the bottom knot!) the corset should be able to wrap around your middle with absolutely no difficulty. In fact, with the laces fully unlaced, the corset should seem huge and incredibly loose.
By either not loosening the laces or only loosening them by 4" to 5", the odds of the corset fitting comfortably about your middle are slim to none unless your corset is far to large for you in the first place.
2. Tighten the corset to a comfortable degree
There are 2 mistakes that happen here:
(A) You get overzealous and tighten the corset so much that you find it uncomfortable and there is less than a 2" gap between the 2 back panels.
(B) You didn't cinch your corset in enough for fear that you then couldn't return it.
Both of these cases won't give you a proper idea of the fit. So when your corset arrives, do be gentle but don't be shy: pull the laces in until there is about a 4" to 5" gap at the back. If you feel like you could still take it in an inch or 2, then you've got the right size. If you can't possibly cinch it anymore, then you should go up a size.
3. Measure the gap between the 2 back panels
So you've got your corset on and it is either too small or too large. Where do you go from here? Measure the gap between the 2 back panels of the corset.
Let's say the corset is too large and there is no gap. Can you fit your hand down the front of your corset and still have plenty of room? Then consider going down a size or 2.
And if the corset is too small? Then measure the gap at the back and mark it down. Remember that the ideal gap should be 2". What is the difference between your current gap and 2"?
Here is an example: you measured your waist at 30" and bought a size 26" steel boned corset, but the gap at the back is 4" and you cannot comfortably tighten the corset any more. Then the difference between your gap of 4" and the ideal gap of 2" would suggest that you should go up by one size to a 28".
The size chart is still them way to go when selecting your corset size, but sometimes other factors need to be considered like if you have a bit of squish around your middle (then you could usually afford to go one size smaller than the chart suggests) or if you have a very firm middle with little to no squish (then you'd have to consider a size bigger than the chart suggests).
And of course, if ever you have any questions or need further guidance, you can always contact me!
Happy Valentine's Day!
