Tightlacing

Tightlacing is the practice of using corsetry to enhance and improve the figure and posture. The intent emphasized proportions with a waist reduction of 4" to 10" as well as a proportioned reduction of the midriff or lower chest. Some examples of classic shapes are the wasp waist with straight funnel shapes and resultant narrow ribcage, or the hourglass with a pinched waist and larger ribcage. Reductions of less than 15 in (380 mm) are rarely achieved. For modern women, 18" to 20" waists can be achieved with long term training.

To achieve these results requires the full time wearing of a corset, creating semi-permanent effects. The effects of corseting are reversible by leaving the corset off for an extended period of time. Contrary to popular belief, there are no known ill effects to health. Modern research into the corset controvery and the study of modern day extreme lacers, has demonstrated that gradual training poses no risk to health. The main impact to the body is the reduction of digestive capacity and some reduction of respiratory volume, hence for heavy excercise it is recommended to relax the corset or to remove it.

See also: body modification

List of well-known Tightlacers:

Lillie Langtry c. 1890
Polaire about 1914, 13 or 14 in (330 to 360 mm)
Ethel Granger about 1930-50, 13 (330 mm)
Spook 2003, 14 (360 mm) http://www.staylace.com/pinups/spook/index.html
Sylphide 2002 15 (380 mm) http://www.sylphide.de/
Kathy Jungs http://www.staylace.com/gallery/gallery15/kathyjungsilvercorset/

Table of contents

1 Wasp waist
2 Corset training
3 External links

Wasp waist

Wasp waist is a special tight zone in a corset. Not all corsets have wasp waists, and many wasp waists in old photographs are in girdles, not corsets.

Corset training

The act of corset training is body modification by means of tight lacing into a corset.

Corset training involves several forms of body modification.

Constricting the ribcage below the sternum, pushes the upper chest out, enhancing the bust line.
contracting the lower ribs improves the upper body line, but inhibits abdominal breathing.
reduction of the waist, by means of compression
internal organs are moved but less compared to pregnancy
long term usage of the corset allows the body to adapt and accept further reduction, anywhere from 4" to 10" without injury

This woman has problems with heavy respiration in her stays, because the stays are too soft and short, so the abdomen follows the respiration. A tighter and more rigid corset will inhibit this movement and encourage upper thoracic breathing.

also see: Stays