About Lucy (+ Measurements)
Hi! I’m Lucy. I’m a long-haired, piano-playing, corset-loving, health-obsessed nerd. I love dogs and my mom’s Jamaican cooking. I hate shoveling snow.
I collect corsets (of course), swords, convertible dresses, and convertible high heel shoes. I’ve always had a fascination with wearable technology, wearable art, and clothing/prostheses that are designed for multiple uses, and are beautiful to boot.
I’ve been teaching piano for 20 years (more than half my life) and have a passion to learn and to teach. Despite being on the music therapy path, I decided to switch my major to biochemistry in my undergrad and worked in a microbiology lab for several years thereafter in an effort to land a “practical, secure” career, but I was disenchanted by the endless pipette-pushing and lack of human interaction, and the arts kept pulling me back again and again.
In 2016 I graduated again as a registered nutritionist, a field where I can directly apply my biochemistry knowledge to helping people improve their relationship with food and with their bodies. I am fascinated by the parallels–and stark differences–between the nutrition field and the body modification industry. There is the obvious harm of “diet culture” and shapewear on one’s self-esteem and body image, and yet when used in a different manner, there is incredible potential to use food and corsetry for body positivity and personal autonomy. Instead of forcing everyone into one cookie cutter aesthetic, I am dedicated to allowing clients the freedom to explore their relationship with their own body, correct deficiencies, address strong reactions (physical sensitivities and psychological connections) to certain food, and help them find a healthy balance.
My History with Corsets:
I started studying corsetry and making corsets over 15 years ago, and it’s been my primary fascination-turned-business for a decade. I have a free excerpt from my book Solaced (and a reading thereof, if you prefer to listen rather than read) where I explain more about how I got interested in corsets!
A car accident in 2014 left me with chronic injuries and I am no longer able to take commissions for bespoke corsets, but in 2015 I was given the opportunity to outsource my work, combining anatomically patterned designs with OTR manufacturing for a comfortable, unique and economically priced option.
It’s one of my greatest privileges to combine my education in health sciences with my passion for teaching, and apply it to the art of corsetry. Contrary to mainstream views, corsetieres need a solid foundation (no pun intended) in anatomy and physiology to understand how the body responds to the pressure of the garment, and to create comfortable and safe corsets.
My Mission:
My original mission was to educate and empower the average corset-curious layperson; to provide a comprehensive and free body of work so anyone can compare the differences between corset brands; their prices, silhouettes, etc. In other words, to create a savvy community of corseters who they are not at the mercy of greedy brands that exploit and swindle their customers. This is why I’ve filmed over 200 corset reviews, created the brand research guide, and built the Corset Database!
Besides this… it has now also become my mission to let the world know that modern corsets are not the same stigmatized “torture contraptions” featured in sensationalized media, and they’re not purely for vanity; on the contrary, contemporary corsetry can improve one’s relationship with their body, and can potentially offer therapeutic benefits. Eventually, I would like to go back to school – again – this time, to study orthopedic technology to further combine my passion for the aesthetics of corsetry with the therapeutic benefits, and become certified to design physician-approved and insurance-subsidized orthopedic bracing devices that are also comfortable and beautiful – the best of all worlds.
My Measurements/ Stats
Although I try to be as objective as possible in corset reviews, the shape/fit/comfort section at the beginning of each video IS still subjective, as everyone’s body is different. At the request of some viewers, I’ve provided my natural measurements as I realize that it’s sometimes difficult to gauge how a corset will fit on your body based on how the same corset fits on me. When you watch one of my corset reviews, please pay particular attention to my hip spring and torso length especially, and never presume that a corset will fit the same way on everyone!
This set of measurements may also be a useful resource for “body doubles” when I’m paring down my personal corset collection. If you are curious about other numbers, please send me an email. Please don’t be creepy about it.
Circumferential measurements:
Full Bust: 35″ (89cm) (Left side is half cup bigger than the right side at times.)
Underbust (ribcage): 29″/73.5cm (full exhale); 31″/79cm (full inhale). (I generally request ~ 30″/76cm)
Natural waist: 27″ – 28″ /68.5-71cm (depending on time of cycle, how much I ate, etc.)
Corset sizes:
- Underbust OTR corsets I can usually close size 24″, or wear size 22″ with a small gap.
- Overbust OTR corsets I normally wear size 24″.
- Custom fit corsets I usually request to close a size 22″ but have gone as small as 20″.
Iliac crest (high hipbones): 33.5″/85cm (I usually request 34″, as my left iliac protrudes more than my right)
Full hip around the bum (about 7 inches down from the waist): 36″/92cm
Approximate vertical measurements:
Please note that my torso tends to be on the long side, and my waist sits rather low. For this reason, many standard-size overbusts tend to look too short on me, but this may not be the case for you. Don’t be surprised if you find that your own waist-to-underbust vertical measurement is an inch or two shorter than my own!
Full height: 5’5″ (165cm)
Waist-to-armpit: 9.5 or 10″ (25cm)
Waist-to-fullest-bust: ~9″ (23cm) with the tape held taut, 10″ (25cm) with the tape contoured around the root of the breast.
Waist-to-underbust: about 5.5″ (14cm)
Waist-to-iliac: 3.5″ (9cm)
Waist-to-lap: 5″ (12.5cm)
For me to sit comfortably, most longline corsets are no longer than 10.5 – 11 inches from underbust to lap, although the center front can be as long as 13 inches if the corset is pointed in the front (rises up over the sternum and dips down at the pubic bone).
I guess since I have been obsesively watching all your videos and commenting on them I should properly introduce myself…My youtuber name is Bebelyn86 a derivative if you will of my real name Evelyn. I have had a fasination with corsetry and long hair for years now but I never commited myself enough to either affection. When I stumbled upon your channel it was like harps playing and angels flying because somebody out there was actually doing it! Thanks to your inspiring channel I feel the courage to devote to my prefered aesthetic! So thanks again and you know you have a loyal fan and subscriber.
Thanks so much Evelyn! I’m glad you stumbled upon my site. :) If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask.
Hey Lucy,
thanks to your very inspirational videos on YouTube I am just about to purchase my first corset!
I sometimes have back problems because I am very big busted, and I’ve noticed that wearing a corset makes me feel more secure and less… well, wiggly. Apart from that i absolutely love the way it looks worn over or under shirts.
Now I want to get a custom-made corset, because I don’t think that I will fit into any corsets off the rack (either my breasts are too big or my waist is too small -_-)
Since I am quite a beginner, I have a question:
What corset form would you recommend to me? Do you think I could wear a full corset without any parts of me looking squeezed and flat?
Thanks,
Marie from Germany
Hi Marie, thank you for your message. :) For a first corset, I would recommend an underbust corset. These are easier to breathe in, easier to move in, and easier to hide under clothing. As someone with a big chest myself, I also end up feeling “squished” in many overbust corsets. However, one off-the-rack corset that’s very good for large-busted, small-waisted girls is the Storm corset by “What Katie Did”. I was pleasantly surprised by how it fit! I’ve not tried too many custom corsets but I do like my wasp-waist training corset made by Elle of Heavenly Corsets. I hope this helps!
Thank you for your fast response!
I just checked out the website of “What Katie did” and I really like their overall style!
Stay awesome,
Marie
Hello Lucy,
I would like to start waist training for my seventeenth birthday. I was wondering if this is too young or not. The doctor says I’m pretty much as tall as I am going to get and I have weighed the same for the past three years. I know that there are risks if you start while you are still growing and I do not want to cause any problems. My spine is beginning to go crocked now and it is painful and not something I want to just accept. I was hoping a corset would help my back and spine. I would love to know what you think.
~Thanks,
Rose
Hi Rose, I know your doctor said you should be done growing, and while many women do stop growing by around 14-15 years old, I know women who kept growing even after 18 (I mysteriously gained an inch during undergrad. Maybe it was the water, lol.) Your bones have still not matured until around 21 years old. Up until then, some of your bones are still cartilage, being slowly replaced by bone tissue and until then, your bones are softer than other adults. Because of that, your ribs might become deformed by the pressure of the corset. If you can’t get a medical back brace to correct the curve in your spine, and your parents are okay with you getting a corset (since you’re technically not responsible for your own body until you’re 18 – dumb, but it’s the law), then I’d suggest only getting one that gives you a reduction of 2-3 inches at most.
Lucy,
Thank you so much. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to answer my question. I don’t want to do any damage to my body since I’ll only get one. :P I suppose I will wait then.
~Thanks again,
Rose
hi lucy,
I love your channel and I still long but it was today when I found your official site.
my name is sandra and I am so clothing stylist will make patterns but when making a pattern for corset (which I’ve never done) I would come many questions and ask you a few questions.
I can do to the pattern for the corset all the cuts that I want and the part I want?, or have a rule where you make cuts?, and each cut, only makes the cut and nothing else?, Alternatively, you put a clip of narrowing in each court?.
also, where I can find the bones of metal by the meter, and closing front and rear corset?, aah, and that is the fluid that you miss him in every hole you do when you put the front closure to the corset?, and where I can find?
sorry if I make a mess but I am Spanish and do not know if there is the same as here too forgive this English but not speak or write and use the google translator, I do not hear about anything you say in your videos so you do so many questions.
thank you very much for clearing the doubts.
I love everything you do, congratulations.
Hi Sandra, the easiest way to make a corset pattern is to follow the tutorial by Foundations Revealed. You can find it here:
http://foundationsrevealed.com/free-articles/74-draft-your-own-corset
In that tutorial, the lines you draw are the lines you are to sew. I usually cut about 2cm larger than the lines. If the curve at the waist is severe, then I’ll clip the allowances. After the corset is assembled I will trim the allowances down.
I buy my steel bones from Vena Cava Design (the online site) and the fluid I use is called “Fray Check”, I buy that from my local fabric store. :)
Hi Lucy,
I, like your other followers am very impressed with your reviews. I have ordered a waist training underbust corset from corset UK before doing much research. Am waiting for it to arrive . After watching your videos, I was thinking that I maybe should have ordered a Josephine or morticia instead, as I’m not sure how curvy the one I ordered will be. Its the Wt 001. What is your experience with the style of corset UK underbust?
Also I was wondering if you could give an idea of what I might wear on a daily basis as I don’t want to look too showy wearing my corset on the outside for everyday wear. I have the same measurements as you although I am only 5ft 4″.
Many thanks and I hope to be buying more, maybe from your sale items. Karen from Australia.
Hi Karen,
I’m 5’5″ so not that much taller than you. :) Personally I have not had good experience with the shape of the WT001 underbust – I tried it several years back and immediately sold it. It was simply too cylindrical for my body, and it made my ribcage and hips hurt while not really reducing my waist. This is the case for almost all their underbust corsets (the “crown” underbust may be an exception) but their overbust corsets are shaped better. However I wouldn’t recommend training in an overbust. I do plan to start a mini series of “outfits of the day” on my Youtube channel… I just feel that I need more clothes for that, first, lol.
Lucy,
I’m trying to find a pattern for Organization XIII long Coat to make for a friends son. I’m a 52 yr old man who just learned to sew over the last 3 years (after finding out what they charge for clothes at the rennaissance fair) I was considering modifying the MATRIX pattern that SOMPLICITY or McCall’s sells. Also my wife is looking for a Ladies Sword with a dragon on the hilt if you come acrosss one. Love the vids on corset making and waist training, So far I’ve made only 1 (one) that I thought was good enough and that was for a customer (small cinche).
I think using the Simplicity 5386 Matrix pattern will be good as a start, then the sleeves can be made larger and a hood can be added – to make the hood and sleeves you can use the pieces from Simplicity 9887. I will be on the lookout for any swords for your wife as well. :)
Hi Lucy,
I have a question I was wondering if you could answer. I was watching a show on corseting and they mentioned that any tummy fat will sqush out the bottom of the corset and make a belly pouch. Is that true and what can one do to stop that?
Hi Jill! Thanks for your comment. :) If you get the right kind of corset there shouldn’t be any squishing out from the bottom of the corset. If you have a relatively flat abdomen to begin with you can wear any style corset including cinchers. If you have excess flesh on your abdomen the easiest thing to do to prevent lower pooch is to get a longline corset that comes down over the hips and stops around the level of your lap or pelvic bone. If you need extra support then consider buying a corset that includes a “spoon busk”. My aunt is plus size and she pauses halfway through lacing up to reach down and “scoop” her lower abdomen up into the corset so it doesn’t cause any squishing out from underneath. Cheers!
Hi Lucy, i’m curious about the Spoon Busk? what is that and were can I buy one that is relatively inexpensive? by inexpensive I mean about 180 to 200. I have been wearing a cosplay corset for the past 4 months, it didn’t fit right since i wear it over a lot of clothing so wearing it just under me, its big. its a 34.
I have a 23 waist, 34 hips and 32 bust. I have that belly pooge because I have a lot of sagging skin in the belly. I was once 170 lbs and now i’m down to 100 (over the course of 8 years) I like wearing the corset daily now because of my back soreness and since i started wearing it my pain is down to a minimum. i dont’ wake up with back sorness anymore.
but that pooge is really irritating.
I also wanted to ask, what kind of clothse would you suggest to someone to wear? i like to hide the corset and not really make it known to the world i have it under me. jeans look odd and so do some of my shorter skirts. (hot topic type skirts)
some of my shirts look kind of weird on the bust too.
i have an over bust that i purchased that is fine for wearing 23/7 but i don’t like how the busk is hard to clasp. its very flimsy (its from timeless trends so i was really kind of surprised.)
mine came laced where you lace it up from top bottom and meet in the middle.
i dont really like that style. its kind of hard to lace it up on my own, as i have to make it REALLYBIG to get it on then having to pull in all that lace makes it an aggravating task.
my old cosplay corset that i have it laces from top to bottom which i like a lot more.
but maybe its a matter of breaking in the corset?
maybe it gets easier in time?
also i hav a menstration question. is it better to keep it looser during then? i’m almost there in 2 days and i found that my corset was a lot more uncomfortable much to my sadness.
thanks for having such a big extensive site. thanks again
Hi L, you can buy individual spoon busks for as low as $40, but many places will sell the good quality ones for as high as $200. Because of this, any corset that contains a spoon busk is going to be much more expensive! The cheapest spoon busk corset I have personally seen is about $275 USD. I have a playlist, “Dressing with your Corset” on my Youtube channel which can give you some ideas for hiding the corset under your clothing. Underbusts are generally easier to hide compared to overbusts. The type of lacing you don’t like (the bi-directional, or “bunny ears” lacing) is standard for corsets; opening the laces wide to get the corset on and then tightening it on yourself is one of the easiest ways a person can lace themselves and it gets much faster with time. However you can change the lacing method if you wish; I have some ideas in my “Lacing Techniques” playlist on Youtube as well. When it comes to menstruation, it’s up to your individual preference. Some people find that lacing a bit tighter during that time helps prevent cramping – others cannot tolerate wearing a corset during this time due to bloating. Best wishes.
Hi Lucy,
I am a newbie in the corset world and just love it. I found your youtube video’s and became addictied to you. I bought a ” off the rack” corset from Isabella corsets and really love it in spite of the fact that I have a super short waist. I so, so look forward to waist trainning and wearing my corset. I do have a question. Is it ever to late to start to wear a corset and changing the shape of my body? I am 49 1/2 years old and I always dreamed of a hourglass shape. I am straight sided and have no shape when thin. I want to thank you and say ” you are and inspiration. Jill
Hi Jill! Thank you so much for your comment. :) I’m glad you like your Isabella corset – I’m a big fan of her work too.
It’s my belief that an adult* woman can start corseting at any age as long as she’s in good health and goes slowly and responsibly with her training. I think Cathie Jung was not much younger than you when she started her corset training and look where she is today! I’m not sure if you’ve gone through “the change” yet, but the biggest concerns for you would be hypertension and/or osteoporosis. Just try to monitor your blood pressure and make sure it’s normal (it may be temporarily on the high end of normal) and train slowly enough that, if you decide to shape your ribs, that you’re giving them time to bend and they won’t crack.
Best wishes, Lucy
Hi Lucy
Do you ever just wear your corset underneath clothing without actually showing it off ?
As that is what I will actually be doing.
Silvia
Hi Silvia, yes most of the time I wear my corsets underneath my shirt so it’s not visible. I only wear corsets over my clothes for videos, as that’s the main topic of my videos. :)
Hey – where’d you get that photo of young Gia posing as a fencer? I’ve never seen it before!
Yes I’m kidding. I do think we need many more photo shoots of you…to “promote your work” of course!!!!
Teehee! ^_^ I did a photoshoot last month but I’m still waiting back for the photos… the photographer is totally MIA. We’ll see what happens.