Lady Serendipity
Clergy
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort". --Jane Austen
Posts: 120
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Post by Lady Serendipity on Feb 4, 2008 2:00:23 GMT -5
So, I was lucky enough to get some long stays for a good buy, off ebay.
Even LUCKIER, they're (it's?!) GREAT! Non-sewer here, so I couldn't tell you if it's made from a common pattern or kit...but it's very era-true, from what I've seen.
In addition, the boning, the busk....I'm very happy with it all! I've seen a lot of people's pics of their trevails sewing stays for THEMSELVES, and so I feel very lucky to buy something "ready made" that fits me as well as it does. I need to shorten the shoulder staps up a bit, and take in the gussets at the hips somehow....but overall I'm very pleased.
I say all that to say...in SPITE of the fact that the fit was good, and we did NOT have me laced in too tight....DANG it was hard to breath in that thing!!!
I was reading something the other day about how with corsets or stays, you never can quite get a full breath. That certainly was how I felt!
So it made me wonder....how on earth do you DANCE wearing one?! Don't you find yourself getting all fizzy in the head?! lol
Is there a special way I should try to BREATH?! ;D
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Post by dawnluckham on Feb 4, 2008 10:24:43 GMT -5
Lady Serendipity, you shouldn’t be breathless in your stays. Really. Regency period stays need to fit firmly which is a sensation that most people today are unfamiliar with. We don’t wear woven, non-stretch fabrics that tightly to our bodies these days. You also MUST lace the stays tightly enough to prevent shifting. If stays are laced too loosely, they will rub and make uncomfortable red and irritated sore spots with movement. So, you’re right. The Regency lady did not tight lace her stays, but the stays need to be tight enough so they stay firmly “put”. I can’t imagine, if these stays fit well, why you would find yourself out of breath. Does the busk push too hard into your midsection or something like that??? Perhaps you need to wear them around for an hour or two and you simply need to get used to being “hugged” by your clothing that snugly? If you have an ongoing problem, I may unfortunately suggest that perhaps the stays don’t fit as well as you had hoped. If you want to post photos, I can tell you if it appears right from the distance of the Internet, but I can’t see what I can when looking at something up close. You need to be able to comfortably walk, sit, stand, jump, etc in your stays. (Sitting is a big test for fit!)
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Lady Serendipity
Clergy
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort". --Jane Austen
Posts: 120
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Post by Lady Serendipity on Feb 7, 2008 0:57:34 GMT -5
I keep meaning to post this....here is the quote that I had read:
"Any kind of corset (even the un-boned Regency ones) will slightly restrict breathing, and move the “bellows” action from the chest to the belly (think, deep abdominal breathing). "
Does that not sound like an accurate statement to you? Because that's how it felt!
It did sort of puzzle me as to why I felt short of breath, since I didn't *feel* like I was being constricted in any way. And I did take my busk out for awhile to see if that was it, but, nope.
Oddly, it just felt like holding my body so STRAIGHT was what was making it feel hard to breath. Which makes no sense.
As you sd, I'll just try to wear it again and see if I get used to it. And I have a friend who knows more about corsets and such than I do...I'm going to try it on and see what she thinks.
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Post by cosmoblue on Feb 10, 2008 16:27:37 GMT -5
After dancing all night in my corset I can say that I had no trouble breathing. I got a bit of a achey neck from not being able to twist and having to turn my head to see everything that was going on.
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Post by dawnluckham on Feb 10, 2008 17:10:09 GMT -5
SO GLAD to hear you danced all night, Cosmo! ["Any kind of corset (even the un-boned Regency ones) will slightly restrict breathing, and move the “bellows” action from the chest to the belly (think, deep abdominal breathing). " Does that not sound like an accurate statement to you? Because that's how it felt!] No that does not sound like an accurate statement to me. That sounds like someone perpetuating a myth. That sound like someone who's never worn a well fitting corset.
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Post by cosmoblue on Feb 10, 2008 19:58:12 GMT -5
"Any kind of corset (even the un-boned Regency ones) will slightly restrict breathing, and move the “bellows” action from the chest to the belly (think, deep abdominal breathing). " Does that not sound like an accurate statement to you? Because that's how it felt! It did sort of puzzle me as to why I felt short of breath, since I didn't *feel* like I was being constricted in any way. And I did take my busk out for awhile to see if that was it, but, nope. Oddly, it just felt like holding my body so STRAIGHT was what was making it feel hard to breath. Which makes no sense. As you said, I'll just try to wear it again and see if I get used to it. And I have a friend who knows more about corsets and such than I do...I'm going to try it on and see what she thinks. I did want to say that at first when I have my husband lace me up I feel like he is squeezing the air out and then it was a bit weird because for it to fit properly it has to be tighter than my full expand for an inhale but not as tight as my full compression for an exhale. So it ended up that I had to adjust a bit to breathing slightly more shallow than I usually do and using my chest and belly instead of just my chest. It took like 2 seconds to adjust and then I was fine. It was different but no the least bit uncomfortable. I think it is comfortable because the busk extends the torso and makes you straighter and you have more room for the air to go. So less horizonal breathing and more vertical breathing.
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Lady Serendipity
Clergy
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort". --Jane Austen
Posts: 120
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Post by Lady Serendipity on Feb 21, 2008 1:35:20 GMT -5
I've forgotten to say THANKS for this feedback.
I'm in the process of "tweaking" the fit (since these WEREN'T made specially for my body!) so posts here and elsewhere on this site are helping me make a few necessary adjustments.
I was esp. interested to read the "repeated hoisting of the boobs and tightening of the laces" discussion between cosmo and Steph. One thing that I could tell is that was NOT getting the "lift and separate" effect....rather, my stay was just "smushing" the girls.
So maybe that was one thing at least psychologically making me feel out of breath?! who knows.
(and Stephanie, like you were saying, I think a lot of that was due to the boobettes getting drug down when I would pull down my chemise.)
I talked to some "friends who sew" about it, and tried it on for them, and they helped me pinpoint the areas that I need to try altering.
Anyway, thanks again for the feedback!
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Post by Mme de Beaufort on Feb 21, 2008 2:56:49 GMT -5
If there isn't some purpose for us all to sit here and BS about breasts and corsets and seams and pantalettes, what good would this forum be? However, driving home, the thought came to me today how hilarious it is that we write freely about our squashed breasts and our corsets, stays and underclothes with gentlemen freely roaming the boards. They must think us most unseemly! LOL.
Anyway...
I probably wouldn't be so bold in my projects if it weren't for the knowledge that I have people like Dawn and Cosmo to come running to if I have a problem. ::LOL::
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Post by cosmoblue on Feb 21, 2008 4:32:40 GMT -5
If there isn't some purpose for us all to sit here and BS about breasts and corsets and seams and pantalettes, what good would this forum be? However, driving home, the thought came to me today how hilarious it is that we write freely about our squashed breasts and our corsets, stays and underclothes with gentlemen freely roaming the boards. They must think us most unseemly! LOL. Well since the heading of ladies underclothes is very clear it is almost as though any gentlemen reading the enclosed threads are peeking in through our boudoir windows.
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Post by The Major on Feb 21, 2008 7:15:20 GMT -5
Ladies,
Be assured that if read at all, your threads of women's undergarments carry only a historical information interest. In general, this gentleman turns another direction when appropriate.
My knowledge of this thread at all comes from the reason that I tend to monitor the "15 Most Recent" messages rather than individual threads. Although I will say that this thread interested me by the subject. If I could better understand the challenge ladies have while dancing, I could better assist during the dance to help them be even more graceful.
So do not feel that there is a voyeur amongst you. Your delicacies are perfectly safe with the the Major.
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Post by Mme de Beaufort on Feb 21, 2008 10:57:47 GMT -5
I'm quite sure that is the case; for the Major has shown himself to be a consummate gentleman.
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Post by dawnluckham on Feb 21, 2008 11:59:36 GMT -5
LOL! Well, let's be perfectly honest here. A lady dressed in Regency era under clothes is wearing more clothing than many people today wear when shopping at Walmart. Discussing the "functional aspects" of these garments is of absolute necessity because for most of us, our mothers, and even our grandmothers don't have the knowledge to tell us how to wear them. This is not something you just ‘throw on’. It’s learned. (This holds true for men’s garments as well, as Monsieur Wolfie has pointed out.) Besides, it’s always important for a gentleman to understand women’s undergarments. He may have to assist a lady at some point. (No ‘naughty’ thoughts intended! )
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chiemi
Clergy
"Shelves in the closet. Happy thought indeed. "
Posts: 140
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Post by chiemi on Feb 21, 2008 12:09:46 GMT -5
Besides, it’s always important for a gentleman to understand women’s undergarments. He may have to assist a lady at some point. (No ‘naughty’ thoughts intended! ) I was thinking along the same lines because I know that my husband has had to help me into any corset I have worn. I just can't tie it properly myself. Though your last line did give my a little giggle.
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Post by Mme de Beaufort on Feb 21, 2008 12:10:51 GMT -5
LOL! Well, let's be perfectly honest here. A lady dressed in Regency era under clothes is wearing more clothing than many people today wear when shopping at Walmart. Discussing the "functional aspects" of these garments is of absolute necessity because for most of us, our mothers, and even our grandmothers don't have the knowledge to tell us how to wear them. This is not something you just ‘throw on’. It’s learned. (This holds true for men’s garments as well, as Monsieur Wolfie has pointed out.) Besides, it’s always important for a gentleman to understand women’s undergarments. He may have to assist a lady at some point. (No ‘naughty’ thoughts intended! ) Yes... my gentleman husband loves to ' assist' me with my stays... if assist means to chase around with a less than gentlemanly leer while making that archetype-Frenchman "Aww haw hawwww" noise.
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chiemi
Clergy
"Shelves in the closet. Happy thought indeed. "
Posts: 140
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Post by chiemi on Feb 21, 2008 12:13:06 GMT -5
LOL!!!!
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Post by The Major on Feb 21, 2008 12:29:31 GMT -5
:: Blush ::
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Post by Mme de Beaufort on Feb 21, 2008 12:57:14 GMT -5
Now now, you're well behaved, no need to blush on behalf of less than gentlemanly men.
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Post by The Major on Feb 21, 2008 13:12:01 GMT -5
Now now, you're well behaved, no need to blush on behalf of less than gentlemanly men. Thank you, but still...
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Lady Serendipity
Clergy
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort". --Jane Austen
Posts: 120
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Post by Lady Serendipity on Mar 17, 2008 23:19:52 GMT -5
I've forgotten to say THANKS for this feedback. I'm in the process of "tweaking" the fit (since these WEREN'T made specially for my body!) so posts here and elsewhere on this site are helping me make a few necessary adjustments....I talked to some "friends who sew" about it, and tried it on for them, and they helped me pinpoint the areas that I need to try altering. update.... I've tried on my stay and tweaked away at it a hundred times, and I think I just about have the fit (and the proper way to wear it!) correct. I bought (thank you, ebay! Friend of the non-sewer! ) a dress for an upcoming ball, and my mom is helping me hem it. I had previously tried it on for her with the stay, with mixed results. today I tried it on for her again, and the difference was VERY noticable. I had the correct Regency silhouette going on, and we were both very pleased! So thanks again for the feedback!
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Post by cosmoblue on Mar 17, 2008 23:36:02 GMT -5
I've forgotten to say THANKS for this feedback. I'm in the process of "tweaking" the fit (since these WEREN'T made specially for my body!) so posts here and elsewhere on this site are helping me make a few necessary adjustments....I talked to some "friends who sew" about it, and tried it on for them, and they helped me pinpoint the areas that I need to try altering. update.... I've tried on my stay and tweaked away at it a hundred times, and I think I just about have the fit (and the proper way to wear it!) correct. I bought (thank you, ebay! Friend of the non-sewer! ) a dress for an upcoming ball, and my mom is helping me hem it. I had previously tried it on for her with the stay, with mixed results. today I tried it on for her again, and the difference was VERY noticable. I had the correct Regency silhouette going on, and we were both very pleased! So thanks again for the feedback! I am glad that you have what you were looking for now. I can't wait to see pictures.
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