Last updated on October 12th, 2023 at 03:06 pm
Contrary to popular belief, waist training is not synonymous with tightlacing. One can tightlace on an occasional basis (for special events, or just for fun) while waist training is the process of wearing a corset on a daily or nearly daily basis for a specific goal – for instance, the ability to close a certain size corset, to achieve a specific silhouette, or to modify your natural waist (semi) permanently. (Many people who wear a corset on a regular/ daily basis for other reasons (such as back pain relief or prevention of anxiety) often “accidentally” waist train – because the body responds to consistent pressure, even light pressure over a long period of time, they may find that they need to size down to maintain the same pressure on their torso.)
Many people have their own requirements as to what a waist training corset should comprise of, so please take this information with a grain of salt. Note that this list is my opinion – and where applicable, I will include notes and disclaimers made by the corset maker/ company. Also note that overbust corsets are not mentioned here because most people prefer to train in underbust corsets. Overbust corsets may present some fitting/ mobility issues that underbusts don’t – although it’s not impossible to train using an overbust.
My requirements is that a waist training corset:
- has strong stitching to withstand the rigors of daily wear without tearing of the seams (preferably reinforced with a waist tape)
- contains sufficient steel boning that do not warp or break, thereby preventing extreme/ uncomfortable wrinkling at the waist
- resists warping or collapsing over time
- contains sturdy, fair quality grommets that don’t pop out under stress
- preferably comes with a guarantee or statement by the vendor or corsetiere
- has appropriate curves for the wearer – **while curvy corsets are more comfortable for me, the curve of a corset may not reflect its quality. Please note that some corsets are more compatible with different body shapes than others. Choose a corset that will best fit your body, not necessarily the curviest corset on the market. If you would like to compare proportions of different corsets and see which one will fit you best, see my Corset Dimensions Directory.**
Should I avoid a brand completely if their corset is not suited for waist training?
You can still purchase and wear any corset you like! Just because a corset is not recommended for waist training doesn’t mean that it’s not a good quality corset. For most of the brands shown below, I have been able to tightlace in them for 8 hours (if the proportions of the corset allow me to do so) although not every day. Just know that if you choose to train in non-training corsets, some may last longer than others, and some companies have better service/ policies than others. So in some cases a “no” is not definitive – more like a “proceed at your own risk.”
** Check back later as changes are currently being made to their construction**
Brand/style | Waist Training Friendly? | Guarantee/ Policies/ Customer Service | Construction concerns? | Curviness? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Axfords C242 Corset | No (train at own risk) | 60-day exchange/return on non-custom items | Single bones/ no waist tape reported. | Moderate |
Burleska Athena underbust | No | 21-day return/exchange | Plastic bones/ partial waist tape reported. ** Check back later as changes are currently being made to their construction** | Mild |
Corset Story/ Corsets-UK (etc) | No | 30-day exchange/return | Weak/ popped grommets reported, single bones/partial waist tape in some styles. Questionable materials reported. | Very mild |
Isabella Corsetry (Immediate Line) | Yes | 10-day exchange/return of non-custom items Long wait times and unreliable customer service reported. | Some variability in curviness of corsets reported. Reports of the waistline stretching at least an inch over time (especially satin corsets). | Very curvy |
Leatherotics | No | 7-day exchange/return (20-day for international) for non-custom items only. Unreliable customer service. | Weak/ popped grommets reported, single bones/partial waist tape in some styles. | Mild |
Meschantes | No (train at own risk) | 14-day exchange for unworn non-custom items; 21-day repair window for custom items. Unreliable customer service. | Plastic reported in closed-front trainers (though not in those with a busk). | Moderate (standard size waist trainer) |
Ms Martha’s Corset Shoppe | No (train at own risk) | 5-day exchange/store credit on non-custom items. Ms Martha states that although the silk collection is strong, her corsets are not guaranteed for waist training. | Single bones/ no waist tape reported. | Moderate (geometric cincher) |
Mystic City Corsets (all styles) | Yes | 14 day exchange/ return window. Corset must be unseasoned, worn less than 15 minutes for sizing purposes. Customer service is spotty (can take months to receive sizing advice). Old reports of customers being blocked after requesting returns. | Company uses several different manufacturers, which implement different construction techniques. As such, bones and busk vary in rigidity, quality, etc. Customers have reported the use of strong fragrances on MCC corsets which may be an allergic trigger to some. | Silhouettes range from moderate to extremely curvy |
Orchard Corset CS-201 | Yes for cotton, no for mesh | 30-day exchange/return. 1-year guarantee has been revoked as of 2014. Responsive customer service. | Popped steel bones reported. Opt for all-cotton fashion fabric; stronger structurally. Expect mesh corsets to wear down quickly. | Moderate |
Orchard Corset CS-301 | No (train at own risk) | 30-day exchange/return. 1-year guarantee has been revoked as of 2014. Responsive customer service. | 10 bones/ partial waist tape reported. | Moderate. Length may promote tummy pooch/muffin top. |
Orchard Corset CS-345 | Perhaps | 30-day exchange/return. 1-year guarantee has been revoked as of 2014. Responsive customer service. | Single boned, partial waist tape reported. Opt for all-cotton fashion fabric; stronger structurally. | Mild |
Orchard Corset CS-411 | Yes for cotton, no for mesh | 30-day exchange/return. 1-year guarantee has been revoked as of 2014. Responsive customer service. | Popped steel bones reported. Opt for all-cotton fashion fabric; stronger structurally. Mesh corsets wear down quickly. | Moderate |
Orchard Corset CS-426 | Yes | 30-day exchange/return. 1-year guarantee has been revoked as of 2014. Responsive customer service. | Popped steel bones reported. Opt for all-cotton fashion fabric; stronger structurally. | Curvy |
Restyle “Wide Hip” underbust | Yes but Train at own risk | 10-day exchange/return Restyle tells me that the corset is suitable for rigorous daily use and comes with a 2-year guarantee. | *Updated* new stock now has waist tape. Some torn seams reported in old stock before waist tape was included. | Very curvy |
Snobz Corsets | No | 7-day exchange/return on non-custom items. Unreliable customer service. | Single bones/ partial waist tape/ single-piece eyelets reported. | Moderate |
Timeless Trends cincher | No | 30-day exchange/return; lifetime manufacturing guarantee. Responsive customer service. | Very mild. Length may promote tummy pooch/muffin top. | |
Timeless Trends HOURGLASS cincher | Yes | 30-day exchange/return; lifetime manufacturing guarantee. Responsive customer service. | Curvy. However, length may promote tummy pooch/muffin top. | |
Timeless Trends standard underbust | Perhaps | 30-day exchange/return; lifetime manufacturing guarantee. Responsive customer service. | Some variability in sizing/ proportion. | Mild to very mild – 2011 stock is curvier than 2013-2014 stock. |
Timeless Trends HOURGLASS standard underbust | Yes | 30-day exchange/return; lifetime manufacturing guarantee. Responsive customer service. | Size 26″ hourglass corsets in the blue, emerald and burgundy have a slightly smaller ribcage. This has been corrected in the other styles. | Curvy |
Timeless Trends longline underbust | Perhaps | 30-day exchange/return; lifetime manufacturing guarantee. Responsive customer service. | If your hip spring is more than 16 inches, the side hip ties run the risk of splitting over time. | Small ribcage; contains adjustable hip ties for curvy/very curvy hips. |
Timeless Trends HOURGLASS longline underbust | Yes | 30-day exchange/return; lifetime manufacturing guarantee. Responsive customer service. | Curvy. Contains adjustable hip ties for curvy/very curvy hips. | |
True Corset steel boned cinchers | No | 30-day return/ exchange window. Reports of some customers not receiving their corsets, especially from UK warehouse. Reports of customers being refused a refund after returning their corsets. | Single bones, weak/ popped grommets reported. Partial waist tape has been corrected; they now contain a full waist tape. | Mild |
True Corset waist training long cincher | Perhaps | 30-day return/ exchange window. Reports of some customers not receiving their corsets, especially from UK warehouse. Reports of customers being refused a refund after returning their corsets. | Mild | |
Vollers Corsets | No | 21-day exchange/return on non-custom items | Single bones/ partial waist tape reported. Single-piece eyelets. | Mild to very mild |
What Katie Did Corsets (all underbusts) | Yes | 30-day exchange/return on non-custom items; store credit given for custom items. WKD recently revised their previous statement and now says that their corsets are suitable for training. | Eventual stretching at waist reported (satin pieces only). | Mild (Gina) to moderate (Mae) to very curvy (Morticia, Baby and Vamp) |
Lucy, I recently ordered a peachy-coloured reinforced mesh corset from True Corset in the CORRECT size, and no matter where I sat it on my torso while lacing up, it was extemely painful on my hips and back without ever touching my waist, and it would not mould well at all. It would not lace evenly either, and I couldn’t make it form a gentle bend for seasoning. I’ve never had this issue before. I’ll probably just send it back.
What do you think about that?
Hi Anna, it sounds like the corset is not curvy enough for your body. True Corset’s website can sometimes be a little confusing because their size selection buttons recommend certain sizes for a specific range of natural waists, but you have to dig a little deeper to find the rib springs and hip springs. If your own body is curvier than the corset itself, it will definitely pinch the hips without supporting or cinching the back and core – no amount of breaking-in/seasoning/moulding will change the measurements of a corset. You should return it for a curvier corset. If you don’t know your rib and hip springs or how to find a corset that fits your proportions, my Corset Database can help you.
Hi there Lucy!
I wanted to chime in and second/third/etc your remark regarding weak or popped grommets on TrueCorset products. I had the middle one pop out on the fourth day I owned it. I’d only worn it 3 times for 3-4 hours at a time, and the post part of the closure popped off when I sat down in the car. The fourth felt wobbly when I took the corset off, and seemed to even have some scratchy patches on the fabric next to the post. Superglue?? I’ve been discussing the situation with their customer service, but I’m not impressed. I’d expect better quality from a company touting plus size waist training corsets, but at the same time, they’re not clear in the slightest on where/who makes their corsets. Found out from an interior tag that they’re made in Pakistan, despite all info on the webpage touting Kinnaird of Ireland.
Probably gonna end up going with Timeless Trends, or a custom corset from Electra. It’ll cost a lot more, but this is looking to be a case of “you get what you pay for” :(