Enchanted Oldies About your Corset and Garments

Choosing the right corset

The first decision you should make is what type of Corset you want, an Overbust,Under bust style or a longer style to support the bust.
If you have a fuller bust with cup size DD or larger an under bust style would be more suited to your figure.

Height can be a factor when ordering an over bust/longer style corset, If you are 5ft 8in or above please take a look at AC130, AC135, AC140, VC4002, VC1890u
and VC1890. These styles are more suited to a taller person.
Customers who are 5ft 3in and under should avoid the above styles. However, your height should not affect the fit of an under bust style.

Please see each corsets own description for more details.
When choosing please pay special consideration as to how and where you want to wear your corset.
Which size do I choose?

When you are ready to order please give us your true waist measurement, and also an indication of how experienced you are at wearing corsets. This will determine
what size you need.

Most corsets will pull you in between 2 and 4 inches in the waist, an experienced corset wearer will be able to handle a 4" reduction, but for most a 2" will suffice.

If you are in anyway unsure please contact us before making your choice, we are always happy to offer help and advice.

How To Put On A Corset

Loosen off the lacing then put the corset round you and fasten the front busk; do the top clasp first and the rest should follow.

Pull the loops gently then tighten the lacing progressively towards the middle from both top and bottom until you are happy with the fit. There should be a pleasant 'hugging'
sensation, but you should still be comfortable.

To finish, tie the ends in a bow at back or front.

DO NOT overtighten or you will damage your corset; corsets mould to the body after a short period and the material takes the strain evenly, then you can go a little tighter.
One last tip: if you are going to wear stockings and shoes with your corset, it is a good idea to put them on before tightening the laces, as most people are unused to the
straight back a corset gives and find it hard to bend down!

Returns
You may return your order within 14 days of reciept for an exchange or refund, provided it is returned in the same good condition that it was sent to you.
We will make a charge for packing, handling and delivery at our standard rate.

The cost of returning goods to us are borne by you and Enchanted Oldies cannot accept any responsibility for loss or damage in transit.

How to Return Your Goods
Please enclose a covering letter giving your name, address, contact details and stating your requirements.
Ensure you retain proof of posting.
If sending from outside the EU, describe contents as "Returned Clothing" on the customs form, failure to do this may result in the garment not reaching Enchanted Oldies.

Delivery Times
Orders are normally posted within 3 working days (after receipt of payment), however if the garment ordered is not in stock and needs to be made (which happens rarely) or if
there are special requests, this may take up to 10 days.

UK orders are sent First Class signed for Parcels (insured).

All overseas orders are sent by Air Mail and the delivery times depend on destination and local mail service, however, as a guideline, parcels to Europe average up to 7-10
days, outside Europe 8 to 15 days.

Measurements When Choosing Your Corset

When choosing Your Corset, All Corsets Beginning with the Letters "AC or VC" should be measured by waist size,
Example: (if your natural waist measures 28 inches,you should order a Corset size 2-4 inches smaller) This all depends on how much you want to pull yourself in.
Please remember NEVER TO OVERTIGHTEN YOUR CORSET until you have moulded it to your body shape,it should be a gradual tightening each time you wear it
till the desired size is reached.

Corsets with the letters "CR" in front of them should be ordered by your dress size.

If for any reason you are unsure what size you should order, please don't hesitate to contact us with your measurements and we will be happy to advise you.

Interesting Facts
It is easy to dismiss a corset as somewhat of an ancient artifact or a throwback to the Victorian Age. After all, most people of the current generation have only been exposed to
corset imagery in period films. They are synonymous with images of images of the wealthy and the royal being dressed by their lady servants.

This really is not such a wrong impression. The corset did have its heyday in the nineteenth century. Then, the female figure was forcefully molded a certain way so as to have
women fit what was then considered the ideal form.

The corset was not always just a high class women's accessory. Also, it was not always constructed to give women the hourglass shape for which it is probably most famous
for.

Even in the nineteenth century men wore them to accentuate their shape to fit the current fashion. What was considered to be an ideal shape for men and women varied from
decade to decade. The idea of the hourglass figure-large chest, thin waist, big hips-was only popular for a short while; though, it did come back as a trend from time to time. For
some periods the corset was used to give women the illusion of having a perfectly straight figure. In these cases the chest was diminished until the wearer appeared somewhat
tubular.

As the fashions changed, so did the corset. The way they were worn and their size and shape changed as well. In the 1920s, they had their longest absence from fashion, not
coming back until a brief period in the mid century.

These days the corset is still around but few people wear it for its originally intended purpose; make no mistake, though, the corset has never gone away.

Some people will define a corset as Victorian just because it is a corset. Of course, this is not accurate. Here are some definitions:

Jacksonian - refers to the American 1830's.

Victorian - refers to the period in England from 1837-1901 (the reign of Queen Victoria).

Ante Bellum - literally meaning "before war," refers to the period before the American Civil war. Figure it means between the 1840's and 1865.

Reconstruction Era - after the American Civil war. 1865 - 1877.

Belle Epoque - sources vary, but most begin this time period in the 1890's. Can refer to both American and French costume.

Edwardian - refers to Prince Albert Edward (later king) of England's reign. You can date this either as 1901 - 1911, or from the time of his father's death. This is the beginning
of the Gibson Girl look.

Vintage - used indescriminantly. Most refer to vintage clothing, however, as more recent, such as the 1940's - 1980's.

By: Van Whitsett