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 my name is Marissa and I am really looking foward to buying a corset I think they are just breath takingly beautiful. I wanted to look in waist training or tightlacing and its come between Timeless Trends and Corset Story the only reason I have strayed away from Timeless Trends is because they don’t really say that the corsets are good for waist training. But with all the research I have done they seem to be perfect for such a thing. So I suppose my question is will Timeless Trends do the trick or do I need to go with something that actually says Waist Training? Thanx for your time!
Hi Marissa, Timeless Trends is supposed to have a lifetime guarantee on their corsets – it’s mentioned on their website that you should be able to wear it every day. When it comes to the two you mentioned, I prefer Timeless Trends in both construction and silhouette. The pieces from Corset Story make me feel like a tube – and even in the ones that say they’re appropriate for ‘waist training’, the grommets started pulling out (I’ve never had that problem with Timeless Trends’ grommets).
What fascinates me is why and what we like about corsets? To many ‘liberated’ women they are a symbol of oppression (some see it as the moral equivalent of the burka!). The waspy waist is invariably attractive to men, however it’s achieved. They are often uncomfortable and restricting…yet there is an endless fascination for them!
My take? They are unutterably lovely, as beautiful as the women who wear them, (by choice nowadays) the Mt. Everest of fashion, a sacrifice, bu I imagine the wearer feels especially lovely (no pain, no gain?). To me they are beauty personified and for a few wonderful moments and hours, and asleep (the dreams they spawn are wonderful), in its warm, friendly embrace, I can feel beautiful too. Thank you!
You’re more than welcome! Love the pun, lol!
Speaking of support -updated my profile to show my stupid corset. I love it but need a serious one – Lucy, can you recommend a serious, waist-training one, have a (gulp!) 42″ waist – basic requirement? “One that’s nice…..and not too expensive…” – The Knights Who Say Neep! (Can’t resist Python) Thanks to Lucy and the bunny ears video it is much easier to wear and lace up! :))
Wow, scissors is quite harsh, I’m sorry to hear that, I wish people were more open minded. The funny thing about this is I keep trying to talk my boyfriend into wearing one- to NO avail- to help him with his posture and back problems. I also think men look quite attractive in them. The posture benefits are wonderful for everyone. I was so glad when I found Lucy, she is a fount of information and helped me with finding awesome corsets. I hope you are able to get a good corset and keep it out of sight because I’d hate to have scissors taken to it because good ones aren’t cheap.;)
Thanks for your support! (painful pun intended) The good ones are not cheap, too right! Your BF doesn’t know what hes missing…..:)) Thanks!
Lucy,
Absolutely stunning and informative website! The bunny ears lacing video was so helpful! I’m a male secret x-dresser (My wife is NOT a fan!) and love corsets. I have one brocade Frederick’s of Hollywood Renaissance semi-underbust corset (wear a matching bra with it), with stiff round shoelace laces and bra hooks for the front and really good garters. I never could get it laced comfortably, fighting with those two separate laces. Your video did the trick! Does waist training REALLY work? When wife is out of town I wear it all the time (except outside – too obvious) I even sleep in it (with some difficulty). I seriously need one of your real corsets, but sadly, have very few places to keep one….Just love your site! Keep it up!
I’m sure Lucy will give expert advise, but I have a few suits in my closet in black garment bag covers. Since corsets are stored on hangers, you could store a good corset that way without it being seen, or put a suit jacket over it in the garment bag and it would look like its just another suit in your closet. As stated, I’m sure Lucy will have a better idea but it was just a thought. ;)
Thanks! I do have a malco modes white petticoat I bought for my wife, who hated it but it sits in the closet in a suit bag – a sort of its hers but its mine now :)) so its possible. Good idea! I love them so much! (I squirrel away my ‘gear’ in a shoebox (amazing what you can fit in one!) that’s ‘hidden’ in a jumble of my stuff in basement.. :)). She already found an item or two and attacked same with scissors, and harsh words for your’s truely, but we’ve sort of reached an unspoken accommodation – don’t ask, don’t tell, as long as she’s out of town. But really would like to waist train…..(sigh)
Hi Lucy. I would like to thank you for the videos you have posted on Youtube. I have seen others but none of them compare to the through knowledge and training you provide.
I had breast reconstruction surgery as a result of a mastectomy. The surgery is called a TRAM flap in which the rectus abdominus muscle is used to carry the lower abdominal skin and fat up to the chest wall to build a new breast. While I benefit from having a new breast made from my own fat and tissue, the moving of the muscle has had challenges. I get quite a bit of bloating in the abdominal area especially under the breast area and have lost my natural waist. My belly button died as a result of the surgery and that too changed my waistline. I started using compression garments to help with the swelling but they would roll up from the hip and were unforgiving and uncomfortable. I then saw one of your videos and ordered an under bust steel bone corset and it has done wonders.
Unfortunately, some of the meds I am taking have caused a lot of weight gain which I am working on losing but I bought a corset a little too small.so I will be ordering another one soon and save the original for later. If I go a day without wearing the corset, my abdominal area swells and is painful to the touch so I try to keep it on during the day. I tried sleeping with it on but my back would ache in the morning so I quite.
I know there are other women who are in my situation and I just want to again thank you for the wonderful information you post. The vids have given me valuable information.
Hello Lucy!
I discovered you some days ago =) and have been watching your videos. Thank you for spending so much time doing this. For the ones like me, who don’t know anything about corseting, your dedication has been a very good help.
I am interested in starting corset training so I’ve been doing a lot of research. I know you have already released a lot of information about measurements. However, I would feel much more comfortable purchasing my first corset if you could give me a hand. Is that possible?
I took my measurements in centimeters and then converted to inches (European units, here in Sweden). I still feel a little bit insecure about which corset (and its number) I should buy. I was thinking about buying 2 corsets:
– the meschantes RTW underbust training corset without busk because, although it’s not so practical to dress/undress, I want something subtle to use under my clothes.
– another underbust training corset from another brand, with busk.
My measures are, approximately (after measuring 3 times and making the average):
ROUND MEASURES
Underbust – 32,5” (full exhale) and 33,5” (full inhale)
Waist – 29” or 29,5”
Iliac – 33”
widest hips – 38”
VERTICAL MEASURES
underbust to waist – 4,5” or 5”
waist to iliac – 4”or 4,5”
waist to widest hips – 8”
TOTAL HEIGHT
4 feet and 11” (yes, I’m short =P).
Basically, having an odd number of 29” or 29,5” waist, I don’t know which corset number I should order. I found different information about this in different websites. Should I consider my waist as 28” and go for a 22”/24” corset? If yes, 22” or 24”?
And about the brand/type of my first two corsets, what would you recommend?
Well, I’m sorry for the HUGE comment with questions. Thank you very much in advance. Once again, great job with your videos.
Thanks for this post Lucy! I’ve always wanted to ask what your natural measurements were, so I could have more of an idea what the corsets you review would do for my bodyshape. I’ve heard you talk about having a larger hip-spring, and it’s apparent in most of your corsetted waist is much smaller than hour hops, but I was always wondering what the ratio was between the corset’s waist and the underbust because that’s always the area that tends to be too small for me, not the hip area. Always wanted to ask, but wasn’t sure how to not sound creepy. :) Keep up the great work! Your reviews are just wonderful.
Hi Lucy, I have been wanting to begin wearing a corset. I’ve never worn one, but I do like the hour glass shape they give. The thing is, my upper belly is bigger than my lower belly, I am large-chested, and short-wasted. I found a site http://www.contourcorsets.com and the corsets seem very well-made, but very very expensive. I would like to gradually begin waist training, and want a very well-made corset that will fit my body and last a long time with a lot of use, but if possible at a lower price. What would you recommend I look into? Thank you and you have a great site! :)
Shanda
Hi Shanda! My main training corset over the last 6 months or so was from Contour Corsets; I think she does really great work. But if you’re looking for custom makers and have a smaller budget, check out the tab at the top (Corset Brands by Price Range). :)
Hi Lucy,
My name is Robin and I’ve been interested in corsets for quite a while. I just bought one and realized that due to my hips it doesn’t quite fit comfortable enough. I was wondering if you could recommend a good website that has goring to accommodate wider hips. Also attempting to grow my hair out due to chopping it in to a pixie cut about a year ago so i absolutely love all of your videos. I’ve now got my step-mom hooked to corsets too, lol
Thank you for your time
Hi Robin, both “What Katie Did” and Axfords corsets make OTR corsets that have hip gores/ accommodate a bit of a wider hip spring. :) I’m so happy that you (and your stepmother) like my videos! :D