wearing a corset in public

[SoManyLovelyKnickers]

me and bf went to what katie did at the weekend and I think bf bought me a corset and bullet bra (I hid out in changing room so I wouldn't find out what he bought, but I have my suspicions as we both really liked those)

I'd like to get something suitably lovely to wear with it

Initially I though I'd look for a 50s style wide skirted dress for over it (indeed I already have oe that might work great) but then the assisstant said that with a corset she always wears it on top of her clothes as she reckons they are too pretty not to be shown off. Hmm. That set me thinking about whether that'd be something I'd be up for, just on very special occasions

the one he is getting me (I think) is a gorgeous red and black one, which sounds totally OTT but actually looks gorgeously vintage I think. Is an underbust one so I could wear with a little top and maybe a pencil or swing skirt, or even over a dress.

But OMG I am after all approaching 42 and while I think I look ok for it I am no twenty year old

so, two questions:

1. am I being utterly ridiculous even to contemplate such a thing?
   

1. assuming your answer to 1 is more along the "not at all honey you go for it" line rather than the "dear god almightly woman I've laughed so much I've wet myself at the prospect" line NO then any clothing you could recommend?

[QueenOfFlamingEverything]

I go out wearing corsets with jeans or with goth-type trousers.

I suspect you are after a different look though.

But you are not being ridiculous, not at all.

[SoManyLovelyKnickers]

apols for random strikeouts...that's what happens when you are approaching 42 and thinking about wearing corsets in public

links are

what katie did

the corset but mine's in red and black lik ethe bra below

bullet bra

[SoManyLovelyKnickers]

thanks QoFE

dont think I'd wear corest with nothing else on top, and I'm after fairly demure (ish) vintage style look

but thanks for the vote of confidence

do people look at you weirdly when you wear your corset out and about?

[Silkstalkings]

Find a longsleeved shrug to keep you warm/demure-ish without spoiling the silhouette.
Pencil skirt, killer heels and mini top-hat fascinator alice band (see Claire's accessories.)

[RubyReins]

I am a corset aficionado and I wear them a lot. When I am feeling a little more demure I stick a chemise underneath. My décolletage was positively indecent after I had DS so the chemise provided a little more coverage.

I buy a lot of my stuff from Gallery Serpentine. They are based in Oz and the prices are in AUS$ so they are cheaper. Underbust corsets are incredibly flattering and look less "goth". I wear them over shirts and dresses. What Katie Did and Fairy Goth Mother also have wonderful corsets. They are not cheap but I see them as investment pieces and if you look after them they last a very long time.

I have had some strange looks from people but to be perfectly honest the sneering looks came from women sporting pastel polo shirts and fleeces from Millets so their opinion is of no consequence to me. I favour a glamourous 40s/50s look as do many of my friends and our group ranges from 28 - 62 and everyone looks wonderful. I do often look like a Tim Burton character but it suits me and that makes me happy. Go for it! Wear with pride!

[SoManyLovelyKnickers]

thanks ladies

rubyreins your way of dressing sounds fab! what sort of dress or shirt do you recommend for waering under the underbust corset? any links to give me an idea (grovel grovel)

the corset is from WKD and is utterly beautiful. I really can't wait to get my mitts on it. Hopefully the week before xmas as me and BF won't be together over the season itself...

so I need something lush and lovely to wear with it, for then and for our 1st anniversary night out in Feb when I know he'd love me to be wearing it. As would I.

silkstalkings - will look out for nice pencil skirt and a shrug - ta. Think might feel a bit fancy dressish with a mini top hat but the idea of the fascinator itself is a good one, especially for anniversary dinner as we are going somewhere where teh decor is totally over the top so it won't stand out!

[RubyReins]

I'm a little stupid and don't know how to do links ...

I will school myself and will endeavour to find some things for you!

I favour a peasant style top for wearing underneath corsets. I have a black satin one and a black cotton one. Often worn with a full black and red knee length tutu and black and white striped stockings... I wasn't joking about the Tim Burton thing!

My favourite pencil skirts are from Vivien of Holloway. They are not particularly forgiving though so be sure to measure yourself and don't get caught up with their sizes; e.g. a high street 12 is a VofH 16. Only £35 though. Once you get the correct size they are just fabulous and look wonderful with a corset and 50s style wide necked top.

I shove a corset over maxi dresses and prom-style dresses. It makes a high street dress that loads of girls might have look very unique and expensive.

An underbust corset looks great over a simple masculine white shirt with a pencil skirt; think Maggie Gyllenhal in "Secretary"!.

I shall return with links!

[SoManyLovelyKnickers]

yay - you are fab! see what you mean about tim burton...sounds greatthough, good on you...sounds very Helena BC...can see her in that

[Havingkittens]

A little puff sleeve blouse looks nice under a corset too.

LovelyKnickers, have you been on the WKD Forum? Lots of chat on there about vintage style and links for shopping.

[SoManyLovelyKnickers]

oooh, how about this 1940s style dress with teh corset over it - would that work???

[thanks havingkittens - is from one of your links on my other thread - I've only made it to no 2 so far!!!]

[Havingkittens]

That would look lovely with the Baby corset that WKD have. I can't picture it with the Morticia, but it could work. If not, you still have a lovely dress to wear

Why don't you go on the WKD forum and see what others have worn theirs with?

[SoManyLovelyKnickers]

I tried to get on there earlier but it refused my registration for some reason

why can't you picture with morticia? worries she has bought wrong corset - we only went for that cos we liked the fabric - they were busy and didn't suggest any other underbust ones...

[fabric is VERY pretty though!]

[frakkinup]

I have 3 corsets and I only wear 1 without anything underneath. Very wearable IMO.

They can go over dresses (I put an underbust one v. similar to the WKD Gina over a long black evening style dress), or shirt/trousers, or a vest top and skirt. Just play with the look....

Is it the Pigalle Morticia you have?

[SoManyLovelyKnickers]

yes yes yes - that's the one

is it TOO much? for a corset virgin like myself ?

OMG...having looked at it again I've come over all funny like at thought of wearing it in public - what WAS I thinking....[shrinking violet emoticon]

[Havingkittens]

Don't get me wrong, it is actually my favorite corset that WKD do. I don't really go in for corsets 'cos I like comfort too much. I get quite agitated even wearing a waist cincher! I was just not sure how it would cut the skirt bit of the dress as it comes down quite low.

I have seen it worn with wide leg trousers before and it looks fab.

[bishboschone]

I don't want to poo poo your idea but MIL wears corsets as outer wear and despite only being early 50's and looking younger they really make her look mutton. I fear it is a fine line between looking vintagy and ahem..not.

[Havingkittens]

There is also a very wide line between early 40s and early 50s in terms of what you can get away with wearing - not really a fair comparison.

[Havingkittens]

After all, I wore hot pants for my 30th birthday party but wouldn't have dreamt of wearing anything like that for my 40th!

[SoManyLovelyKnickers]

yes but bishboschone - maybe your MiL feels fab and maybe your ideas of what's mutton and hers don't quite match?

I dunno - sometimes I think us women get a raw deal with all this "mutton" stuff (though I know I mentioned it earlier) - maybe we should just wear whatever we friggin' want and as long as those nearest and dearest enough either like it (or are good enough not to say anything) it's enough...

I dunno...one day I feel one day, one day another...

[SoManyLovelyKnickers]

I mean: one day I feel one WAY, next day another

anyway, looks like I'll have a corset soon and either wear it out or not

[TotorosOcarnina]

I love corsets and am 26 but 'save it for the bedroom' I say!

[RubyReins]

10% off the fabulous Vivien of Holloway with this code VOH_F4shionF4b
www.vivienofholloway.com
The pencil skirts are the best I've ever come across and I wear mine with a corset. The 50s blouses are great too.

OP - this is what I wear under my corset for my demure days chemise

I think much depends on the quality of the corset; IMHO a cheap one looks cheap no matter who is wearing it. Some are not really designed to be outerwear!

A WKD corset can most definitely be worn in public and the one you have chosen is gorgeous.

[bishboschone]

yeah I am sure she does feel good knickers and of course its up to her what she wears but all I am saying is it ages her. It is the scenario that from the back she could be 20 then turn around and , well in her 50's. I couldn't care less what she wears but I just thought OP was after opinions.

[Havingkittens]

Yes, but she was after opinions on her own age, not your opinions on whether she should continue to wear a corset as outerwear into her 50s, for god's sake! Wearing a corset as a top is not much different to wearing a strapless top, just a little more structured and yes, ok, sexy. But we are actually allowed to look and feel sexy in our early 40s. We're not ready to be put out to seed just yet! Nobody accuses Kylie of being too old to wear corset tops and dresses after all, and she is our age.

The sentiment that says corsets are fine but should be kept in the bedroom is subjective. If you are the type who prefers to dress more demurely in public then fine, don't bring your corset out of the bedroom but it doesn't mean that people should be outraged at others doing so. It's the same thing with seamed stockings, they originate from 1940s fashion when they didn't actually have the technology to make a nylon stocking without stitching it up the back. Now, annoyingly, men seem to only associate them with sex and saucy secretaries etc.

I guess I shouldn't be too surprised at some people disagreeing with opinions of what is acceptable for people of 'certain ages' to wear on Mumsnet. I have been absolutely agog at some of the "I'm 30, am I too old to wear something like this?" posts on here! But then the stock in trade here seems to be Boden (which is mostly worn by members of my family in the 57-70 age group) so most things are going to seem a little young and improper in comparison

[Kaloki]

Wear it out!! Corsets are wonderful, you can either wear it underneath something, gives a lovely silhouette especially to dresses. Over the top they go with so much, especially underbust corsets like the one you linked to.

Some ideas.

• Jeans, blouse, corset over the top.
  
• Nice dress plus corset
  
• pencil skirt any style of top and corset alwyas looks fab
  

I used to live in my corset, wore it every single day.Grown out of it though and don't have the cash for a new one. :(