Last updated on February 27th, 2021 at 12:25 pm
Many corset sites recommend choosing a corset 4-6 inches below your natural waist measurement, but sometimes it’s not quite that easy!
The right waist reduction for you depends on several factors, including how compressible you are, what you’ll be using the corset for, and whether you like to wear corsets laced closed or with a gap.
The calculator below is NOT perfect, but is meant to be a starting point can help guide you towards an appropriate waist reduction for your first corset.
It is strongly recommended that you read through the tutorial here before using the calculator.
UPDATE FEBRUARY 2021: If you’re trying to size yourself for the TT, GC or Artemis corsets, use the super precise LucyBots!
If you’re specifically looking to figure out which corset in our shop will fit your measurements, we have a free mini-consultation service – just fill out the contact form on this page and Lucy will personally respond with her recommendations (usually within 36 hours).
Try the calculator and let us know if it worked for you in a comment below!
Troubleshooting:
Did the calculator give you a really weird size? See the suggestions below:
My size seems way too small!
The most common reason for this is because you chose “intend to lose weight” and also “I prefer a lacing gap”. The calculator sizes you down if you’re actively losing weight (so you don’t “shrink out” of your corset too quickly), but also sizes you down if you ask for a gap – meaning it’s now about 4 inches smaller than what you would wear currently.
If you’re losing weight, your smaller corset will give you a gap anyway – so don’t ask for a lacing gap in the back!
My size is the same or bigger than my natural waist!
The most common reason for this is because you’re petite and firm, on a weight-gain trend, and you just want a corset for fun casual wear. Choose a lacing gap in the back which will size you down, or place your weight as steady for the time being.
It gave me an “odd” size corset! Should I size up or down?
There’s an extra question below your corset size that corrects for that! Scroll up and choose your experience level, and it will give you an “even” size corset!
Thanks for trying the sizing calculator! Did it work for you? Leave a comment below!
I’ve worn corsets off and on for 10+ years, starting back up after about a year and a half off. Using this calculator yielded results consistent with previous experience in terms of a recommended size (26”).
Before using this calculator, I used the LucyBot calculator for two separate corsets, the recommended size was 24” (with a negative value for one or both gaps).
The measurements I entered for each were the same (33” underbust, 29” waist, and 33” high hip). I also picked “no gap”. My weight is stable and although currently at the low end of its range during the time I’ve worn corsets, my measurements are the same.
There are only two reasons I can come up with for the curious results from the LucyBots. Do they assume one will be waist training? I am not (I wear them for back support). Alternatively, do they round down by default if “no gap” is selected.
Hi Petra. This calculator and the LucyBots should not be conflated, because they are calculating two completely different things.
The calculator on this page gives a recommendation for a generic corset size or waist reduction that you are likely to find comfortable.
The Lucy Bots will give you a different size recommendation based on how that corset will fit. Based on their respective curviness, one might get a recommendation of 26″ for a slim silhouette, 24″ for an hourglass silhouette, and 22″ for a Gemini silhouette. It is entirely possible for a corset to be curvier than your body, and therefore for the waist size to be smaller than what you would find comfortable.
If you are looking for a corset that will fit in your preferred size of 26″, you are welcome to reach out to me and we can have a more confidential conversation for a style that will suit your body, your physiological needs, your short-term and long-term goals, and your aesthetic preferences.
https://lucycorsetry.com/measurements/
Hi Lucy,
I’d like to buy my first corset to have a dramatic silhouette and need more help with sizing. According to the calculator, I should get size 22 with lace closed but my dream goal is 20″ waist if possible. My natural waist is 29. I really love the gemini design and the calculator showed size 20 with a mild V shaped gap should be good. But I’m not sure if for me as a beginner is this one a good option. I mean, I’d really love to have it and I think I’m quite squishy (I can squeeze my waist up to 24-25″ already), but still I’m unsure. Would it make seasoning problematic? Would be lace gap too wide at the beginning? (it would really hurt my European wallet if I chose poorly). Or should I get a different 22″ corset first and later slim down with gemini?
Hi Tommy, with a natural waist of 29″, I would normally recommend a size 24″ laced closed or size 22″ with a lacing gap for a first corset. If this is your second or subsequent corset, I would recommend a size 22″ and then size down to your goal waist of 20″ once your body is ready. There are significant fitting issues that can arise with a too-small corset. When the lacing gap in the back is too wide, the side seams of the corset don’t align with the sides of your body. This causes the back of the corset to feel too tight, and the front to feel too loose. You might not get the right amount of leverage to be able to pull the corset closed, and counter-intuitively you might be able to get more waist reduction in the right type of 22″ corset compared to the wrong type of 20″ corset. I have an article demonstrating this here: https://lucycorsetry.com/2014/04/09/how-much-to-size-down-and-why-too-wide-corset-gaps-are-bad/
Hi,
My waist is 40 inches, the tool decided 30 inches.
I was losing weight before I broke my foot.
I will be losing soon. Is this the appropriate size I should get then?
I also need back and posture.
What are your suggestions. I’ll be wearing under my garments
Thank you
Hi Cheryl, a 10-inch reduction (25% of your natural waist) is a lot, much more than I would normally recommend. Likely the calculator took into account your intention for weight loss, plus also you may have selected that you want a lacing gap in the back. This combination is likely to return an erroneously small size. If you’d like me to recommend a specific silhouette, length, and size to fit your body, I have a contact form on this page asking for your full set of measurements – I’ll be happy to discuss more with you via email. :)
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