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).
Hi Lucy,
thanks for your advice ive just purchase a black satin basque corset only 7inches deep from leatherotic ,really cant wait for it to arrive . Anyway thanks for your help have a great christmas and a happy new year ,oh will try and send you a pic if i can . Take care.
Yours Gary xx
hi Lucy
Bin wearing corsets on and off for a few years ,but just wonder if there is a corset i can wear to work with no one knowing ,do u know if there is a smaller corset than and underbust so i could train my waist .
Many thanks Gary x
Hi Gary, you should look for short cinchers. I believe Elle Corsets makes a very short piece called the Bebe, and Axfords also has a few very short cinchers (some ribbon, some not). Leatherotics 1827 is also much shorter than an underbust.
thanks for yr quick reply and thanks for pointing me in a good direction ,i will definitely look into it , do u no if there any corset shops that sell the same bebe corset as you have describe in england . Once again thanks .
Yours Gary xx
Hi Gary, the “bebe” corset I described (from Elle Corsets), also Axfords and Leatherotics are all located in the UK.
Hi! Agreed with Lucy. They are very shapeless and not very comfortable :(
Hi, I have been looking into corsets for a while but most of them are so out of my price range in the hundreds, but I found ones which are under £100 and this is one of them http://www.corsets-uk.com/waist-training-underbust-corset-in-black-taffeta-wt-001-azx-6887.html (sorry if this is an inconvenient question btw) do you know if this would be an okay corset to wear if I wanted to reduce my waist by roughly 3 inches? Thank you xxx
Hi Wilhelmina, in full honesty I haven’t had good experiences with the underbust waist training corsets this brand offers. Compared to the waist measurement, the ribcage is only 10cm larger and the hips are 15cm larger – this is less curvy than my natural measurements, so I find that my ribs and hips feel pinched while my waist is not reduced at all.
Hi Lucy,
I know your email is for business only, I have a personal question that I would like your advise on and would rather not clutter your blog. Would it be ok to email you just this once?
Thanks, Steph
Sure, send me an email. :)
hi Lucy, I’ve only just discovered you and it’s a blessing at the most perfect time!! my body has changed a lot in just 4-6 months, I’m 24 and since I was 15 my hair would never grow past my shoulders and was always very straight however, in the last 6 months my hair has grown way past my shoulder by about 3 inches! and it’s become very wavy with some loose curls! I haven’t cut my hair in 2 years, I had it cut in to a short bob and I’ve trimmed my hair myself 2 times since then. I’ve done the most terrible thing to my hair in the past, I’ve had extensions woven in, and I used have clip ons regularly, I dye it regularly myself and blow dry occasionally. I’ve hardly ever used products other than shampoo and conditioner, nothing has changed in my routine but my hair has somehow transformed! is there a logical explanation? also, I’m getting married in 4 months and was wondering if its possible to wear a corset under the dress without it being too obvious? my other issue is that my breast size is un proportionally large for my body and I don’t like them to be pushed up, does such a magical corset exist?? excuse my rambling!!
Thanks!
Hi Yasmine! You can wear an underbust corset with a separate bra and it will bring in your waist without pushing up your breasts too much. It also helps to wear the bra overtop of the corset so the top edge of the corset doesn’t push up your bust too much. Depending on how supportive your dress is, you can just wear a cincher under the dress but not wear a bra; just letting your dress hold your bust up. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
Hi Lucy! I am very interested (OK ,obsessed) about buying a corset; but I am facing some trouble. I’m only 16, and i have am some-what short and high-wasted…so I am not sure what type of corset would properly fit my body. But i would like to try and find a real training corset for the long term hourglass shaping. Will i have to try and get a custom made one? Or will a normal training corset work for my body type?
Emily
Hi Emily, if you can afford it, then go with a custom-fit corset. Elle Corsets and Jupiter Moon 3 are both affordable options for custom corsets. However I recommend waiting until you’re at least 18 before you start training. Cheers!
I am so excited, because of YOU I just ordered the Josephine Underbust and the Edwardian Overbust Corsets. Thank you so much for your help. When seasoning, if I did it four hours a day then would I only need one week instead of two? I know that the four hours is broken into two hours morning and evening. Omg, the picture of you in the chair is absolutely stunning.
Thanks!
Hi Stephanie! I’m glad you’re happy with your purchase! When seasoning the corset, try to not wear the corset more than two hours at a time, but you can wear the corset for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening, if you find it comfortable to do so. But the seasoning process is just as important for your body as it is for the corset, so don’t push yourself too far. The 2/2/2 method of seasoning is just a guideline; you will know when your corset is seasoned when it feels somewhat softer and conforms to your body more comfortably.
Hi Lucy, I love your channel, you are AMAZING! I was wondering if the Josephine corset by Isabella would be right for me. I’m 5’9 and my torso is long and I am curvy. My natural waist size is 27. The problem is I have a bit of a pooch going on under my stomach. I love corsets and intend to waist train- not too far down though, I am mainly concerned about the poochiness (is that a word?) I was thinking about a Cincher for comfort but I need it to work on the lower ab area and I don’t know it it would be too short to work on that area. Also i think the Josephine might help with posture as well, but I am unsure if it can be worn under jeans. Any advise would be welcome, thank you so much for your time!
Hi Stephanie, thanks so much for your compliments! Based on the info you’ve given me, I think the Josephine may be a good match for you. But unless your jeans are already quite loose on the hips for you, I wouldn’t recommend wearing a longline corset underneath your jeans – it might lead to pinching or other discomfort. If you have lower belly pooch then I’d advise you stick with a longline corset (like the Josephine) and avoid cinchers. I hope this helps!
That’s what I thought, thank you so much for such a prompt response. It’s wonderful to have access to such a knowledgeable person. The Cincher at Isabella costs less but I have to suck it up and spend more so that I can achieve my goal. Thanks again!
Sorry to post twice, I just remembered I wanted to also ask, will wearing a corset over jeans deform the corset? If the bottom were to stretch would that affect the waist when lacing? Thanks!
Hi Stephanie, a corset should not become deformed by wearing it over jeans. Remember that a corset is meant to withstand many pounds of pressure around the waist – it should be as strong around the ribs and hips (although not compress the flesh as much) but a good corset shouldn’t stretch much more than an inch anywhere.
Hi Lucy, I ran across you on YouTube and now here and am so impressed! You have a wealth of knowledge and thank you for sharing that with us!
On the lighter side…how do you skate, play hockey and go curling when corseted? hahaha! Luv ya!