Can I ask you guys a quick question about corsets? What types of corset would you recommend to someone who has asthma? (If any)
I had a look around on the web and asked a company who sells corsets for some advice. It was suggested to me that I stick to under-bust corsets (less pressure on my lungs, easier to get out of if i need to etc.). I wore one as part of a cosplay to comic con and my chest seemed fine all day. I was wondering whether there are any other women on here who have asthma and were corsets too and if there are do you find certain styles more comfortable than others? any advice would be helpful before I buy one for my steampunk costume.
I can't comment from personal experience (in tems of health issues), but I would say it would be prudent to take care. In the BBC programme 'Hidden Killers In The Victorian Home' the presenter had physiological measurements taken as she walked up an down stairs in a tight-laced corset, and it recorded her blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate all shot up significantly.
I suppose it depends just what you want from the corset. If it is simply for appearance rather than body shaping (as some of us require; my poor ones have to be pretty robust...), what about a fashion corset? They aren't meant to be tight-laced; just a snug fit and so should not restrict breathing.
Yours,
Miranda.
The main thing is how you breathe in a corset.
In tight-laced corsets you can't easily breathe by expanding your diaphragm. The corset holds your stomach in too much. You need to breathe by lifting your shoulders, which is less efficient (as anyone knows who plays a musical instrument or sings).
It is, of course, possible to wear a gently shaped corset not tightly laced and still look terrific.
