ROMANTASY is happy to welcome inquiries and orders from any corset enthusiast be they transwomen--or transmen! As of early 2008 we have introduced certain "manly men" styles, and invite our transmen to view our products and information on our Men's Stays page. This page introduces certain style, measurement and design considerations relevant to the transwoman (crossdresser or transsexual) who wishes to enhance her feminine figure and improve her posture.
Which corset maker you choose requires some individual consultation with our trained staff, and we will place your order with the corset maker best suited to your needs. For the best possible rib control, you should choose the 1901 style by Sharon. This attractive style, while rather complex and a bit more expensive than a standard Victorian, provides gentle pressure on the rib cage and will move it inward over time (not overnight of course!) and wearing. This corset gives a stiffer and more demanding feeling on the body but the effort is well worth the money and time spent to render the corset seasoned and comfortable!Some Cautions for the Corset Consumer Unfortunately some men make poor choices and waste money on off-the-peg corsets in silk or nylon fabric that look glamorous and seem to be a good choice, if only to avoid having to openly admit one's desires to the saleslady. However, once home, if the urge to restrict carries the newcomer, away with enthusiasm, he can pull too tightly for the type of construction (plastic boning, irregular stitching, lack of lining or flimsy fabric) or wear the ready-made corset for too long a time, and by either method stretch fabric beyond its endurance to shreds.Department store corsets also have the disadvantage of being made for the female body, generally of quite different proportions than the body of a male. Top and bottom will be generously cut, causing a man narrower in those regions to lace tightly, and touch top and bottom edges while leaving a wide gap in the midriff area. However, well-fitted corsets are designed to remain parallel in the back as the corset is tightened. An ill-fitted corset will likely torque on the body and eventually shred from improper stress. A man's ribcage may protrude more than a female garment is patterned to accommodate, thus pushing the top of the corset outward away from the chest and rendering it impossible to hide under normal business clothes, should that be the goal.
At ROMANTASY, we are not only comfortable, but actively supportive in helping you to discuss your needs and obtain the perfect corset. Here is what one client reported after receiving his first corset: "It's a funny thing - I live two totally separate lives, and so you are the first person I've ever told about myself ! Thanks for being so understanding - I was afraid I'd never hear from you again (really !)."--Bev, July 8, 2001 You should feel free to discuss your desired corseting goals and other choices openly with our staff when you come for a measuring and fitting appointment, or when you consult us by phone or email. This is extremely important, as you will see from the following situation.Our former corset webmistress, Misty, was very disappointed with one of her first corsets made by a corset maker (not one we represent!) who did not ask what Misty's goal or purpose was. Misty was not yet experienced or comfortable enough to know the difference or ask questions. Thus, they assumed that Misty wanted a male corset and placed the waist too low. A very unhappy Misty soon gave up on the expensive corset and put it on consignment for sale at ROMANTASY! Male trousers will generally fit without alteration over a female-waisted or male-waisted corset. However, once you begin to tight-lace (take your waist down 4 or more inches), trousers will begin to slip downward.In addition, a corset having a rather thick edging (such as BR corsets using velvet) or outside boning casings, may show underneath a man's shirt. If you are concerned about this, simply ask for a corset with bones placed between the lining and the outer fabric and request a light weight fabric. Or if only outer boning casings are available, opt for a corset without lining. Remember that you can always wear two undershirts over your corset, or indulge in a pair or two of pantyhose pulled up over the bottom of the corset to disguise the bottom edge. One clever customer even suggested that he might make foam pads to simulate his old tummy so his business colleagues wouldn't notice his substantial waist reduction! We'll let you know if that contraption ever gets to market... Reasonable Reduction Expectations You can generally have the same expectations as women who corset, that is, about four inches in six months. However, you should provide us with two additional measurements to insure a comfortable fit no matter the style of corset you choose, or whether or not it is a male or female-style corset.First, measure vertically from above your hip bone to underneath your lowest rib. Generally men have lesser distance than do women. Standard is 3" for men and 3-4" for women. The narrower that space, the longer it will take to reduce your waist. Second, measure across the widest part of your rib cage, usually several inches below your underchest line. This may be a wider measurement than immediately under the chest, but perhaps not. One of our customers who sought maximum waist reduction, first purchased our fine leather, roller-buckle waist training belt at 2" wide. He wore it every night to bed for nine months. When he returned to ROMANTASY for his first corset measurement, he had actually permanently sculpted his waist down some nine inches! If Ann had not personally measured at both ends of that period, she would not have believed his remarkable progress! No matter your corsetry needs or desires, from formal to foundational, cincher to full Victorian, fancy to functional, we are happy to assist you. |
