How to Take Precise Measurements for Your Corset

A corset can completely change our crossdressing experience.

It allows us to reduce the visible differences between our bodies and the feminine body standards.

It compresses our abdomen, especially the waistline, and helps to re-distribute our body fat.

As a result, we get a slimmer-looking waist and well-defined curves.

Many MTF crossdressers can benefit from the use of the right corset, but sometimes they may face a few difficulties.

For example, to maximize the effect of the corset, while keeping yourself comfortable, you’ll have to wear one of the right size.

However, many of our sisters don’t know how.

You must understand the steps of wearing a corset, as well as the effects it has on your body.

It’s even more crucial to do that if that’s your first time wearing a corset.

Charts may be helpful, but they require you to take some measurements.

It’s also useful to take notes of how your body reacts to compression and how squishable it is.

At last, the corset shape is also important to determine how it models your body and how comfortable it will be.

My objective in this article is to show you some guidelines on how to choose a corset based on size.

Besides that, I’ll give some other tips that are more than useful for first-timers.

As we go through each one of these tutorials, I hope you can find which corset is better suited for your body type.

1. About charts

Size charts can be useful in some cases as long as you get the measurements right.

But the problem with corsets is that taking measurements for them can be complicated.

I mean, a corset requires multiple measures to decide upon its size, and many variables are involved.

As it’s made from a stiff, hard material in order to hold its shape, a corset is less likely to adjust to your shape.

In fact, the purpose of the corset is to adjust your body to its shape.

Charts and measurements may vary between different types of corsets, and the material has a certain influence on that as well.

In case you want to try out measuring your corset size based on that, I’ve included a few here with common measurements for different corsets.

Bustier Corset

Waistline Corset

2. Corset size calculators

Besides charts, another possible method of getting your corset size is by using a size calculator.

You can get your measurements and insert the numbers into the appropriate place in the calculator.

It checks out into the charts and gives you a corset size, often decided by the largest measurement or by the average between them.

The problem is that the calculators vary, and not many stores have this feature.

Nonetheless, it’s a quick method and can give you an idea of the size you’re looking for.

If you want an example, I will tell you at the end of the article.

3. Ordering a custom-made corset

Even with all of these tools, some things about them can be quite restrictive.

Most charts only consider your waist size, and calculators are quite rare.

As a result, you may order a corset based on these tools and still feel like it doesn’t suit your body very well.

To overcome these limitations, it’s possible to order a custom-made corset, providing as many measurements as you can.

The only problem is that it may be a bit more expensive, and returns, refunds, or exchanges may be difficult to get.

4. What measurements should you take?

As we’ve discussed in the beginning, taking measurements for a corset can be a little complicated.

That’s due to the amount of measures we need to take into consideration to calculate a corset size.

Those are the measures you need to insert on the calculator or look up in the charts.

But which measurements are the ones we need? And more precisely, how do you get them right?

Here’s a quick tutorial on how to do a proper measurement of your body for corset sizing:

● Waistline (true waist)

This is arguably the most important measurement you’ll have to take.

That’s because most charts and calculators use this as the main parameter.

We tend to think that our waistline consists of the thinner area below our ribs.

But depending on our height, weight, and body type, this may not always be the case.

A good tip to help you find your true waist, is by pressing all the way from the bottom of your ribcage to the top of your hips.

Try to find the area that seems more squishy and take a tight measure there.

Another way to do that is by bending to the side and noticing where the “natural bend” is.

This last one is more suitable for MTF crossdressers and pre-HRT trans people, as their bodies tend to be less curvy.

● Underbust

This is the area in which most corsets end at the top.

Women can easily determine it by just measuring the line under their breasts.

But for male crossdressers, it can be a little more difficult.

A nice method for finding it is by wearing a bra, preferably with stuffing or forms.

Take the bottom line of the bra as a reference and measure the area with tape.

Some degree of variation may occur, so give preference to the bra in which you feel more comfortable.

● Hips

This is where the lowest end of the corset tends to be located.

It tends to be well-defined in female bodies and at least visible in most males.

But if you have an even body type, it may be a bit difficult to find.

My tip is for you to do a Kicking move and see where the top of your tights bend.

Take the measurement right above this area, and you’re good to go.

● Torso length

The previous measurements were important to determine the width in key areas of the corset, but we still need to find out the ideal height.

To do so, you have to find out the length of your torso, which is simply the distance between your underbust and your hips.

All you have to do is to measure this distance with a tape and take your notes.

● Overbust

Most corsets don’t use this measure, but it may be important if you want to use an overbust corset.

It works like a bra on the top, so it’s the same measurement as your cup size.

For crossdressers, it’s important to remember that this measure varies according to your breast forms.

If you don’t use any kind of form or bra stuffing, avoid overbust corsets, as the top area may be loose and prevent it from working as intended.

But if you use different forms, you may either settle for your favorite one while using the corset or buy multiple corsets.

5. How your body reacts to a corset

Now you know how to choose a corset based on size and with the help of charts and calculators.

But the corset of your choice will interact with something you didn’t choose: your body.

With that in mind, the type of the corset, more precisely, the intensity of the curve, must be determined by a few factors.

One of these factors is the squishiness of your body.

That is, by how soft your tissue is and how much of your mass is either fat or muscle.

The corset is going to compress your body, and your body is going to resist the compression.

Fat is soft and way more squishy than muscle.

This way, it’s easier to re-allocate and to re-shape.

Muscle, on the other hand, is more rigid and more likely to resist compression.

As a result, the squishiness is determined by the muscle-to-fat ratio of your mass.

You may need to do a few tests to find it out.

But the general idea is that squishy bodies can handle more compression and more intense curves than rigid and non-squishy ones.

6. General corset guidelines for first-timers

The first time we wear a corset, our expectations are either fulfilled or ruined.

Sometimes, if the corset is too large, we may not be satisfied with the waist reduction.

But if it’s too tight, you may be unable to endure it.

But with time, you can get satisfying results.

It’s a matter of practicing, patience, and balance.

Start with a corset that fits you well, and wear it for a few months.

Then, slowly go for smaller ones, making your way to a size that gives you a decent compression.

You can also try to season your corset by progressively tightening it.

This method consists of wearing your corset a few hours each day for about a week.

Tighten the lace halfway through during this period, as it helps the corset to match your shape better.

After that, you may be able to wear it without too much of an impact.

Wearing a corset may help us to achieve the desired hourglass shape.

It makes us look more feminine and improves our crossdressing experience.

But to get the best corseting experience, you need to know which size is suitable for your figure.

Charts are available in most corset stores, and some of them have calculators that help you to find out the size.

However, you’ll have to get and double-check all the measurements you can to ensure it fits you well.

What’s your experience with corsets, and how do you measure them?

Please share your thoughts in the comments, and let us know what you think about it!

Here are a few of Corset Sizing Calculators:

https://www.orchardcorset.com/pages/corset-sizing#corset-calculator

Corset Calculator

What’s an Appropriate Waist Reduction For Me?