(That's it on the right)

It hugs me nice and tight and worn with stockings is absolutely wonderful, BUT it doesn't lace up and is not adjustable. Now, some months later, I can pull it on without undoing the front clasps, so I needed to look around again.

The effect of even the start of the training is stunning, I laced myself up at the front the other night, as tight as it would go whilst still being able to breath, before twisting it back into it's proper place and then, looking in the mirror, I was amazed at the difference it had made to my waist! I had one!! *lol*

I'm can't wait until I get another chance to tie myself into my corset again and this time I'll put my black opaque tights on, a white contessa pantie corselet then lace myself into the black corset as tight as it will go, and measure my waist. After a few more times, I hope, my waist will be keeping it's shape easier. (I'll try to get some photo's of this the next time too).

First, ensure that the corset is the correct way up. With some styles, this is not always obvious. The correct way up is when the knot securing the back laces is at the bottom. This knot should never be undone. Open the back of the garment as widely as the laces will allow.

Make sure the corset and the underlying garment are smooth during the tightening procedure so that there are no wrinkles of the garments and skin, especially in the back.

Place the corset around the body and where fitted, secure the front busk, starting at the second stud up from the bottom, and proceeding upwards. The bottom stud is fastened last. Insure the lace-protector under the lacings in the back.

Pull the waist-pullers out at the back and ask the corset-wearer to hold them and maintain tension on them. Working from the top of the corset, tighten the laces by pulling where they cross, and taking up the slack by pulling where they next cross and so on.. When the slack has been taken down to the waist, take it in by pulling on the waist pullers. Repeat the process, starting from the bottom. Then, cross the pullers over and pull the waist in. Repeat the process until the desired tightness has been achieved. Then, cross the pullers over and then tie them in a knot at the back of the waist. NEVER bring the ends around to the front. ALWAYS tie them in the back.

Reverse the procedure to remove of the garment.

It is important to ensure that the gap at the back of the corset is parallel all the way up and down; otherwise, the bones may twist.. Avoid having the gap at the top and bottom of the corset larger than at the waist. Remember: The corset may not produce the exact desired shape until you are able to close it completely; this may take several weeks. Do NOT be tempted to overtighten - go gradually over a several week period. Failure to observe this precaution may result in damage to the corset, to say nothing of your comfort and health.

HINT: Wear the corset moderately tight for about a half an hour. Then, you will find that you are able to tighten some more without too much effort.

GETTING USED TO YOUR CORSET

At first, you will only be able to lace your corset to within 1 1/2 to 2 inches of closed. After about a month or two, you should be able to close the corset. At this stage, you should gradually increase the time you wear it by about 1/2 hour per week until you are able to wear the corset for as long as you wish. From this point on, you should be able to reduce your waist by a further one inch every six months, using new corsets, until you are six inches less than your natural waist. Further reduction proceeds much more slowly.

Apparently the best type for crossdressers is an under the bust style, probably down to our longer body shape. Axfords, the corset makers here in the UK, have an excellent site with loads of info and are TG/CD friendly.

Well, even after just two sessions with my new corset, it's getting more comfortable to wear, though there are a couple of issues I've found to be wary of, the first is actually getting out of it after wearing it for some time, no matter how carefully I thought I had tied the knot, it tightened up and it took AGES to release! Luckily, by the time I was ready to come out of it, either it had stretched a little, or my body was adjusting to the shaping.

So, how to tie yourself into a corset. So far, I've found the best way for me, is to have the laces in front of me, yes, wear the corset back to front! Pull the middle laces out to start with, I actually hooked them over the bedroom door handle and stood back a little, just to add a little tension to them. Then, as directed above, started from the top of the corset to tighten the upper laces, every now and then, adjusting the laces hooked over the handle to take up the slack, keeping the tension up on the upper part of the corset. Once these had been tightened as much as I could for now, I started from the bottom lace of the corset, moving up to the middle again, always keeping the tension on the middle lace by steadily moving backwards from the door.

When I started, there was no slack in the laces. As I began to pull on the middle laces, where my waist was, I got perhaps 9" of laces hooked on the door handle. By the time I was ready to tie the knot off, there was almost 27" of laces between me and the door! I even managed to get the gap even all the way up and down! Managing to take a little breath in, I then managed to twist the corset around the pantie corselet so that it's back, was in the small of my back! Measuring my waist before I started, and once the corset was in place was amazing, a 5" shrinkage after just two sessions.

I have a back injury and the next morning it actually felt pretty good, the best it has for some time now.