I have toyed with the idea of getting married in a dress with a corset over it, but I'm hesitant to buy one over the internet and I'm worried about the logistics of trying to get into it by myself when we elope.

There are several types of corsets that you can easily get into by yourself. That said, I can lace myself into my traditional corset without help (after it's been properly adjusted). It's not as good as having someone lace you into it, but it's fine.

Which types of corsets are easiest for lacing yourself up?

Ah, but Burrell, if you have a corset, you end up finding occasions, trust me. :)

Yeah, like when Franny's friends come over for a play date, I can join them in dressing up like a princess!

::sigh::

I'm afraid that my days of wearing corsets, tap shorts, and fishnet stockings are over before they ever really began.

I'm afraid that my days of wearing corsets, tap shorts, and fishnet stockings are over before they ever really began.

Mmmmm, Burrell in tap shorts.

My corset is a two-piecer, so it laces up front AND back which makes it ideal for self-lacing. You loosen the back laces, then put it on and lace up the front to desired appearance, then tighten from the back. And i use two laces in the back, one from the top down and second from the bottom up so that both tighten from the middle. Sure, you end up with lots of loose laces to tuck in, but it is so much more comfortable and easier to do alone. Then, when it's time to come off, you can just unlace the front entirely and leave the back as is. AND get that special someone to help with the front (simple) laces.

Alternately, the kinds with hooks on the front are a similar concept, except that you have to loosen the back before attempting to unhook or Very Bad Things ensue.

edited to correct disastrous spelling from crummy work keyboard

IOlingerie news, i followed Kristin's example and got myself properly fitted for a bra. See, all my bras either don't fit or are so very old that the elastic no longer holds and whenever i lift my arms they shimmy up and my boobs start falling out the bottom. That is really ungraceful to try and correct at work when the bathroom is far away.

Might i add for the ladies that all that "measurement" crap is CRAP. According to the old "Measure around your rib cage, then around bust, the subtract...." BS i should be wearing a 38 AA. In reality, i currently wear a 36C. CRAP i tell you! Anywhoo, i now have bras that fit and promise to stay put. Very excited to get dressed tomorrow morning! Working downtown near many fine clothing establishments has its perks.

I got my corset for $5 at a resale shop but I have a feeling off-the-rack Fredericks of Hollywood does not approach the kind of quality you gals are talking about.

but I have a feeling off-the-rack Fredericks of Hollywood does not approach the kind of quality you gals are talking about

Nah, though I have one of that sort too, which is very pretty. we're generally talking about the sort with metal in it, which is strong enough to really hold you in and change your shape, which means that the fabric used does NOT have lycra in it (which would defeat the point). Unlike those "bustiers" or "corsets" you often see. These are more old school.

These are more old school.

And awesome. But yeah, definitely not stretchy.