This post is a summary of the “Dark Garden Valentine Overbust Corset Review” video, which you can watch on Youtube (below the table of quick stats) if you prefer:
Dark Garden Valentine Quick Stats
| Fit, length | Center front is 15 inches long, the princess seam (under the breast to top of the lap) is 16.75 inches long, with about 4 of those inches from the waist up. The side seam is 14 inches, and the enter back is shorter at 13.5 inches. Circumferential measurements: waist is size 24 (24 inches), the full bust is 34 inches, and the low hip is about 36 inches. |
| Material | Two layers: fashion fabric is black diamond brocade pattern (fiber content is a combination silk and rayon), the strength layer is black black cotton canvas. Dark Garden is relatively unique in that they use a strong canvas instead of twill or coutil as their strength fabric. |
| Construction | 5 panel pattern (10 panels total). Bust ease is distributed between panels 1-2, and most of the curve of the hip is in panels 3-4 (and a bit of panel 2 as well). For the construction, the fashion fabric and strength fabric were flatlined, and the corset was constructed like a single layer corset. Panels were top-stitched with seam allowance facing outward, and external double boning channels were made with matching black diamond brocade over the seams. |
| Binding | Bias strips of matching black diamond brocade, neatly machine stitched on outside and inside. There are also 8 garter tabs (4 on each side). |
| Waist tape | Black twill tape (0.75 inch wide) is exposed on the inside of the corset, anchored by the seams/ boning channels. |
| Modesty panel | Modesty panel is 5″ wide and finished in the same black brocade as the fashion fabric. It is stiffened with 4 bones to resist wrinkling or collapsing, and it remains loose (not sewn in and not suspended on the laces) so it can be used or not used depending on your preference. No modesty placket in front, but a topstitch of fabric by the busk prevents gaping in the center front. |
| Busk | 14 inches long with 7 loops and pins, equidistantly spaced. standard flexible busk (half inch on each side). It’s further supported by a half inch bone on each side, slightly shorter (stops at the underbust level to allow for more ease in the bust) |
| Boning | 22 total bones not including busk (11 on each side). 1/4″ wide spirals, double boned on the seams. Two further 1/4″ wide flats sandwich the grommets on each side. |
| Grommets | 34 grommets total, size #00 with a medium flange and finished in black. Set equidistantly, less than an inch apart. |
| Laces | Black double faced satin ribbon, half-inch wide, no stretch or spring to it. Sufficiently long and laced in DG’s typical “chevron” pattern. |
| Price | About $440 USD for black cotton poplin, or $490 for the silk brocade you see in this video. |
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The Valentine overbust is designed to flatter fuller figures and curvier figures better than their original Sweetheart overbust. It has a very similar silhouette to the Sweetheart, and similar proportions, but it has 5 panels per side (the Sweetheart has only 4 panels) and it contours over the bust and hips a bit more smoothly.
This is quite a long corset, nearly 17 inches at the longest part. However, Dark Garden distributes more length from the waist up (and less length from the waist down) so even with my long torso, the corset covers my bust sufficiently and feels very secure, while the shorter length at the bottom allows me mobility and helps me sit down comfortably without the lower edge hitting my lap. Other corsets I’ve reviewed in the past were sometimes a similar overall length, but had less length distributed from the waist up (which meant that my bust didn’t feel as safely held into the corset) and more length from the waist down (which meant I had a harder time sitting) – those other corsets were clearly meant for someone with a shorter ribcage or higher waistline than myself. It’s useful to know that Dark Garden corsets fit my personal proportions so well.
The Dark Garden Valentine overbust is available in standard sizes from 18 up to 38, but one can commission Dark Garden for a made-to-measure version if you fall out of this size range. See more at Dark Garden’s website here.
Hi Lucy, I recently was sized at Dark Garden and purchased the “Cupid” underbust corset. Much like this Valentine corset, it is described to be curvy with a wider hip spring than their other off the rack corsets. This is my first corset, so I wore it out right away, not knowing about seasoning.
Upon trying on a few more times, I noticed that I have the “A” lace shape (pretty much being able to completely close the first 2 top X’s and still have room at the top), which you say must mean my hips are a little too wide for the pattern. I’m a little confused since I was “sized” in person and recommended that corset by an employee.
I am a petite, slender female and after reading some other posts on other blogs, some state that if I train more curves with a different corset that some patterns may eventually work. Perhaps, maybe, I made a mistake while seasoning.
Do you think I should accept this fit doesn’t work or should I go back to the shop and ask their advice? I am a little skeptical about their sales at this point.
Hi Ellie, from what I understand the Cupid is designed for a fuller bust and smaller hips, and the Valentine is for both full bust and hips. I’ve not tried the Cupid though so I can’t comment on how it’s supposed to fit on you, but I might go back to DG if they’re close by and ask whether the fit is still okay – they might be able to give you some pointers on how to adjust the fit, in the very least. Also I know that my bust size tends to fluctuate with hormones and I will grow over a cup size at certain times which can certainly affect the fit of an overbust corset!