It’s a cinch!
Hour by hourglass figure: A Toy Box Tease
The first time I saw a corset was on tv during a showing of Gone With the Wind. As I child, I watched Vivian Leigh hold onto a bed frame as Hattie McDaniel pulled and tightened the laces to cinch her waist tighter. I couldn’t imagine why someone would want to wear something like that and was very thankful that it wasn’t something I had to wear. Corsets fascinated me though. I loved finding out that part of the reason women stopped wearing them was because the steel and other resources were needed for World War I. Over the centuries, both men and women have worn corsets. Even modern shapewear today is just our version of corsetry.
Despite them being prevalent throughout history, many people are only exposed to traditional corsets via pop culture. Corsets are often used in movies as a story-telling device. Kate Winslet’s character, Rose, also had to suffer through the rough tightening of her corset in Titanic, as her mother tried to impress upon her the dire situation of their financial straits. Kiera Knightly, as Elizabeth Swan, has a timely fainting scene due to an overtightened corset in Pirates of the Caribbean only to be rescued by Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow. She employs this same gag later to save him from the gallows. Corsets can be played for laughs as well as increasing the dramatic tension.
Of course, the very nature of the way they shape the female body also adds a sexual component to them. Holly Hunter has talked about how a corset heightened the sexual scenes she had with Harvey Keitel in The Piano “because he can’t get at her.” The Netflix show Bridgerton is a period show, and they have scenes with corsets for showing the desperation to find a husband and the sensuality of when you have a husband to remove it. In Easy A, Emma Stone’s character, Olive, is being slut-shamed for seemingly losing her virginity. Rather than shrink away, she changes her attire to fashionable corsets emblazoned with a scarlet letter A as a way of challenging the people attempting to shame her for her sexuality. She wears them like armor. They are also used in music videos from Lil Kim and Christina Aguilera Lady Marmalade to Billie Eilish
I got my first corset from Victoria Secret when I was in my early 20s and was dating my husband. It was red and black with black laces, and I looked amazing in it. I remember feeling a mixture of self-consciousness and confidence. I didn’t wear it too often, but I always loved the reaction my husband would have to me in it.
Most of the corsets I wore until recently were very cheaply made. The fabric is decorative spandex, and the boning is plastic. They didn’t really function as corsets as much as just pretty form-fitting clothing. When I got into the lifestyle, I started wearing corsets for parties and as part of the themes. I had also bought one or two for cosplay purposes, but again they weren’t the quality that I wanted.
Finally in 2019, I bought a boutique specially made corset from someone who specialized in making corsets. It is beautiful. The fabric is a deep purple with black beading, trim, and stays. It fits me extremely well and makes my boobs look amazing. I’ve worn it several times and it never fails to put me in a very sexy headspace.
During the pandemic, I indulged myself by buying five corsets from a company called Corset Story. I bought two waist cinchers, and three full bodice corsets. I love the variety from this company. The corsets are very well constructed. The sizing is spot on, and the customer service is awesome. I have a casual corset that is great for going to munches. Two of the corsets are more like sexy lingerie with see-through panels and rich fabric. The waist cinchers are perfect for pairing with a sexy skirt and blouse, over a dress, or with a bra and panty set.
These have become my favorite thing to wear when I go to a kink party. The boning around my stomach and the tight waist cinch feels like I am protecting my core. This feeling helps with any anxiety, I might be having. It gives me confidence that my figure will look amazing, which as a mildly overweight middle-aged mother, is no small thing. It also helps with my boundaries. I know that if I want to engage sexually with someone that I will have to remove my corset to play. This is a check in I can do with myself to make sure I am enthusiastically wanting this experience. If the corset comes off, I know I’m feeling a “fuck yes” feeling.
Unlike the movies, it isn’t torture for me to wear a corset all night. It’s snug, but I try not to tighten my stays to the point of discomfort. I want to look and feel sexy, and I also want to breathe! I have topped in impact scenes, violet wand, and pallet wrap bondage all while wearing my corset. I know how important being able to move well is for those scenes. It is vital to make sure your corset is comfortable because it can do damage if it is ill-fitting.
Corsets have a history of being used to disempower women. Fainting couches were a real thing because women were so tightly laced that they could barely breathe. But like me, there are plenty of women who are using corsets to help tap into their own sense of power, protection, and sexuality. That’s why I will always have a few in my toy box!
As usual, here is my quick disclaimer that I am not a licensed health or sexual expert, all opinions are my own and do not constitute medical advice. Join me on the Mōn app to discuss this review in more detail. If you enjoyed this review, reach out to me on Twitter or Instagram with more ideas. If you want to support more reviews, please consider buying me a coffee so we can get more toys!!
