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! I’m new here. I’ve had breast reduction due to the pain my heavy breasts caused. I’m interested in the corsets due to Lucy’s U Tube site and the fact that I had the pleasure to visit Sarah Chrismsn quite a few times while I was in her hometown and saw her around town in her beautiful Victorian outfits. My problem is that I have a large “muffin top”, under and over my waist. What would you recommend when starting using a corset. I live in Ohio, so not many places I can go to. I appreciate any help or counsel you can give me. Thank you. :)
Hello Nana, there are two corsetieres in Ohio (Sugarkitty Corsets and Wilde Hunt Corsetry) and they may be able to help you. Are you looking for an overbust corset or an underbust corset? I have a huge shopping guide on this site, where you can research and browse corset brands and styles by budget, by location, by measurements, etc. If you need extra assistance, I am also available for personalized consultations and would be happy to sit down with you.
Hi Lucy!
I’m very petite. I’m 4’9 and weigh 96 pounds. I can’t find any corsets that would be a good fit for me because I have a really short torso. My torso is 8 inches, fullbust is 34 inches, underbust is 28 inches, my waist size is 25 inches, and my hip is 30 inches.
I actually want to reduce the size of my waist from a 25 inch waist to a 16-18 inch waist. So I decided to try waist training. Because there’s really no size for me, I know I need to get my corsets or waist cinchers custom made. However, I’ve already checked how much it would be from other sites, and it’s supeeeer expensive. I mean, I’m not expecting it to be cheap, but so sar the amount ranges from $250 and over..
Do you do custom made corsets? If so, how much would it be for me? Well first, regarding my measurements, what size do you suggest I get? And how long do you think it would take me to accomplish the waist size I want? I don’t know a whole lot about waist training, but I have done some research. I’m really just lazy and thought waist training would be the easist way to get the figure I want.
If you have any suggestions and any other information that would help me,please do tell me. Thank you so much for your time.
HI Rose, at this time I am not taking custom commissions, but my rates for a custom underbust often came to over $250 anyways. I have a gallery of cinchers under $200 here which will get you started. Instead of getting a corset 7-9 inches smaller than your natural waist, for your first corset I would recommend size 20″, then sizing down after several months to a year once you’ve closed that corset. Too often I’ve seen people buy a corset much too small than they’re ready for, and they end up having to backtrack and buy a bigger one as an intermediate anyway.
Hi Lucy, I just had some questions. I am 4’11” and have been considering tight lacing for a long time. I pretty much have no waist but I also have a prominent rib cage, is it worth doing for someone like me or will it only make my rib cage stand out more? Thank you.
Hi Andriana, over a long time it’s actually possible to make the ribcage more tapered using corsets, but it requires a strong and well-fitting corset, and plenty of patience as it can take some people year or more to see noticeable results in their ribcage when the corset is off.
I just want to know as I am a rectangle body shape will after corset training my waist be defined and more hour glass like?
Hi Amina, check out Souljagurlsha on Youtube because she has had one of the most drastic transformations I’ve seen regarding obtaining a curve in her waist while the corset is off. It is possible to get a more defined waist even out of the corset, however it varies with each person, and results are best if you combine it with a good exercise regime and healthy eating.
Hi Lucy I was just wondering have you ever put men in corsets before?
Hi Rodney, there are men’s corsets, certainly. :) My boyfriend has been a fit model for a waistcoat corset I was working on earlier, and EgapTesroc also sent me some masculine corsets to study their design (you’ll find those reviews if you search for JC Creations and also Creations L’Escarpolette). Cheers!
Hi Lucy,
Wow this site is so educating-thank you! Now I finally feel I know where to start. I’m planning to order the Isabella Cosetry Josephine Underbust corset as it’s in my price range, I love the shape and the look.
I was just wondering 2 things-if I have a natural 30inch waist do I order true to the site and get a 26inch corset (especially because I’m just a beginner waist trainer) is that a reasonable way to start? (Providing of course that I break in my corset like you say?)
Also I’m confused about whether I should choose the orginal Josephine Underbust or the Petite Josephine. If the corset is shorter then it’s easier to move around/sit down in it right? That would be better for me as I’m very active and don’t like being too restricted-but I’m also worried that if I choose the Petite Josephine I’ll miss out on some sort of waist training benefit…? Is a shorter corset less effective for waist training in any way?
I have to say, discovering this world of waist training where there is a refreshing emphasis on shape over bones is one of those few things that makes me glad to be a woman..(I know that sounds weird, but I find corsetry so empowering which is maybe bizzare I don’t know).
I can’t wait to get started! (and I’m also looking forward to reading ‘Corset Magic’ thank for the tip!)
:)
Hi Stephanie! For the Josephine corset, many people have found that the ribcage is 7″ larger than the waist, and the high hip is 11″ larger than the waist. The low hip (at lap level) can be as much as 14″ larger than the waist. Which means for a size 26″ corset, the underbust would be around 33″, waist 26″, high hip (iliac) 37″ and low hip 40″. If your own measurements are a bit smaller than that, you can probably go a size down to size 24″. Yes, the petite Josephine is designed for people with shorter torsos so they can sit down easier. It should have no negative bearing on its effectiveness as a waist trainer.
So I would like to wear my corset under clothes and I don’t want the extra bulk of a cami and I heard corset liners are not very comfortable because of the fabric. Do you have any advice?
Hi Karine, have you seen my video here on corset liners? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR5mLlImL24
Also, here is a tutorial on how to make your own corset liners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc-ECIp0hb8
Lucy, I’ve been corseting for 13 years now (and have long hair too, go you!). I’m absolutely loving your site and wondering why I haven’t seen it sooner. I’m 5’8 with a long torso, broad hipspring, tiny waist in profile, and a 38J bra size. I love your sectioning on overbusts for busty girls. No one really addresses curves well in the corset world if they’re too big to be standardized. Thank you for doing it! And you’re right, custom corsetry is the only way to go to keep from resting your chin on The Girls or falling out of the top of your corset. Even with custom corsetry, it’s hard for us big-busted lacers to find the perfect fit based on breast shape. My breasts happen to be top-heavy, which makes it even more challenging to create a flattering neckline. Plus I wear my corsets when playing on stage (I’m a fiddler). You wouldn’t believe how awkward it is to suddenly have the shoulder rest of your fiddle burying itself in breast tissue your corset failed to support! I really love what you’re doing with all this info and linking! Even long-time pro corset junkies like me who thought they knew everything about everything have a few great things to learn from you! keep going! Especially as trends shift and more and more people develop an interest in corsets thanks to pop culture. That’s great, but there are a lot of improperly fitting corsets floating around OTR out there! The key to comfortable and beautiful corsetry is the right fit. Thanks for making that happen for all kinds of figures.
BTW: someone way back when mentioned Absolute Corsets. I had all my stagewear made by them for years. From custom design for stage with only a two-week lead time and my strange measurements, to custom-created styles melding two corsets for me, nothing was too much for them. Something didn’t work right the first time,they were more than happy to work with me to fix it. That is another key to successful long-term corseting, find the right corsetiere for you, and establish a relationship. Don’t be afraid to let them get to know you and help you. You can help them by offering feedback. They need good feedback to create better product. on that note, many corsetiers throw a product up on their site with only a basic description or no textual description. Please, corsetiers, keep in mind that blind girls like me corset too and need to be able to know what we’re looking at on your site. Use words And pictures, please. And thank you.
Hello Sassy, thank you so much for your comment! It’s wonderful to have the input of someone who has as many years of corset experience as you have. I’m learning new things every day in the corset world, and it’s absolutely my pleasure to share this with you and others. In a world where it’s required to wear clothes, people of all body types should have a right to find beautiful clothes that fit them properly!
I have browsed through Absolute Corsets’ website in the past, but had never purchased from them before. It’s fantastic to hear that they accommodate your special requests and custom commissions so well! I will have to check them out more carefully. Thank you for the info!
Hello Lucy I am a newbie waist trainer :) so far I love it I have never felt better. I have had constant back pain due to my bust but it has gone since I have started waist training, also it keeps my posture perfect whilst horse riding, singing, playing flute and shooting my bow… Bonus! I was wondering what is the best length corset for me? I am 5ft 4inches height and have an under bust corset that is 11 inches down the front. :)
Hello! If your 11″ long corset is fine for you in length, then why not stick with it? If you’d like to learn more about choosing corsets that are the proper size/ curve/ length for you, I have an instructional video here.
Hi Lucy.
I was wondering if it’s possible to wear a overbust corset if you have breast implants? And is it healty?
Best regards
Sabrina
Hi Sabrina, yes I know of many women who wear overbust corsets with their breast implants – but the trick is finding a corset that will not squeeze the chest area too tightly, but cup the breast properly (supporting but not crushing).