How to take measurements: corset

Important

Accurate measurements are crucial for crafting a well-fitting corset that combines both style and comfort. For optimal precision, kindly enlist the assistance of a trusted friend, family member, or tailor to take your measurements, as they will be more accurate than measurements you take yourself.

Please provide honest measurements, as they are confidential and solely used for creating your custom corset. Submitting vanity measurements will result in fitting problems. Do not guess at what size you think you might be after you lose weight. Please note that we do not offer returns, exchanges, or refunds for fitting issues arising from incorrect measurements or size selection. If you require assistance with measurements, feel free to reach out.

Optional: Please provide me with clear pictures of your body, wearing close fitting clothing. Pictures will help me better understand your build, which will aid in the pattern drafting process. You don’t have to show your face. All photos and measurements are kept confidential.

Measuring instructions

When to measure

Choose the time of day based on when you plan to wear the corset regularly, considering our bodies change throughout the day. For instance, measure during the day if you intend to wear it then.

What You Will Need:

Flexible Measuring Tape: inches or centimeters. Make sure it is not stretched out by checking it against a ruler.

Belt: no wider than 2,5cm/1"

String: flat shoe string or length of elastic, long enough to tie around your waist. It should be something that will not roil or shift around

Washable Marker to mark your skinCamera to take pictures of yourself after you measure

Helper to take your measurements for you

What to Wear:

Wear a comfortable, supportive, unpadded bra. Cross-dressers should wear the bra, breast forms, and padding intended for corset use. If high heels will be worn with the corset, wear them during measurements, as they impact posture.

How to Locate Your Waist:

The best way is to tie a piece of string or ribbon around your waist so you always have the same starting point. Your waist is measured at the narrowest circumference of your torso. This is typically found around 6 cm above your belly button and often in alignment with the elbow.

How to Measure:

Stand up straight with feet hipbone width apart, preferably facing a full-length mirror. Measurements should be snug but not excessively tight (unless specified). Avoid measuring over fingers and thumbs, and take care to use the correct end of the tape measure. Circumference measurements should be parallel to the floor, while vertical measurements should be straight up and down. Verify measurements for accuracy, and feel free to use inches or centimeters.

Let's Go!

1 Bust Size:

Measure around the fullest part of your bust at the nipple. Be sure the tape measure does not droop across your back.

1A Squished Bust: (overbust corsets only):

For this measurement, it helps to wear a tight sports bra to control ample breasts. Cross your hands in front of you. Place your hands over your bust (left over right, right over left). Squeeze your breasts upward and inward to simulate desired cleavage. Place the measuring tape UNDER your hands and measure around your bust at the fullest part. Your corset bust will be made to fit this size. Several other measurements must be taken in this "squished bust" position.

2 Underbust:

(Or widest part of rib cage below pecs for males):Place tape directly under breasts. Make sure the tape is parallel with the floor. Arms down.

3 Ribs:

With arms down, measure around your lower ribs half way between your waist and underbust. This measurement is to ensure your corset does not compress your lower ribs too much so you can breathe freely. When taking this measurement, relax your breath so your lungs are neither filled nor deflated.

3A Compressed ribs:

Measure in the exact same place as the Ribs, but this time pull the tape measure tight to simulate desired rib compression in this area. If you do not desire compression, omit this field.

4 Waist:

Measure around body where the string is tied. Do not suck in your stomach. This is your actual, natural waist measurement. Leave the string tied around your waist for reference when you take your vertical measurements.

4A Desired Waist (compressed):

Pull tape as snugly as possible around waist while pulling in your abdominal muscles to get an idea of how much reduction you are capable of. If your waist is less than 66cm/26” or you are a first time corset wearer, I recommend a 5-7,5cm/2-3” reduction. Those with fleshy waists, and experienced corset wearers may prefer a 12-15cm/5-6” waist reduction. The actual waist measurement of the corset will be made 5cm/2” smaller than your desired waist measurement (to allow for an approximate 5cm/2” gap between laces when fully cinched in). Another way to estimate your desired waist measurement is to use your belt to cinch your waist as small as you wish. Be sure to subtract the bulk of the belt from your measurement.

5 High Hip:

Measure around hip bones at widest point.

5a Compressed High Hip:

Measure in the exact same place as the High Hip, but this time pul the tape measure tight to simulate desired hip compression in this area. If you do not desire compression, omit this field.

6 Low Hip:

Measure around hips at the top of the pubic triangle, measured at center front.

7 Waist to underbust

Measure from the centre of your bust, from your waist up to your underwire/underbust.

8 Waist to Top Corset Center Front:

Measure from your waist up to where you want the top edge of your corset to be at center front. For overbusts, this will determine the amount of decolletage you reveal.

9 Side of Body Top:

Start by placing the end of the measuring tape at the waistline on the side of your body. Suck in your waist or use your belt to simulate waist reduction. Measure up towards your armpit. Indicate how high you want your corset to be on the side, under your arm.

10 Nipple to Top of Corset over Breast: (overbusts only):

Take measurement in "squished bust" position. Measure from center of nipple to where you want the top edge of your corset to be over your breast. For full coverage, about 5-7,5cm/2-3", and for demi-coverage 2,5-4cm/1-1.5" is common.

11 Underbust to nipple: (overbust only):

In the "squished bust" position, measure from base of breast, following the curve of the breast, up to the center of your nipple. Place the tape UNDER your hand.

12 Waist to Top of Pubic Bone Center Front, Seated:

Sit down with good posture. Starting at the waist in center front, measure down to the top of your pubic bone (top of pubic triangle). Your corset will not be made longer than this measurement. If you have a tummy, push your tummy flat and measure straight down.

13 Side of Body down:

Measure from your waist down to where you want the under edge of your corset to be at the side.

14 Waist to Top Corset Center Back:

Measure from your waist up to where you want the top edge of your corset to be at center back.

15 Waist to Edge Corset Center Back:

Measure from your waist down to where you want the edge of your corset to be at center back.