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What is a Double Corset?

Posted on by Rachel Barb
What is a Double Corset?
26
Mar

Some women reserve corsetry for special occasions while others are keen to explore the potential of semi-permanent waist slimming offered by long-term waist training with steel boned corsets. Either way, you might be curious about the concept of a double corset.

To be clear, we’re not talking about a double steel boned corset here, which features two channels for steel boning in each fabric panel, ostensibly doubling the strength and sturdiness of each panel (although an argument can certainly be made for simply having more panels and single steel bones in a corset). So, then, what is a double corset?

In popular parlance, the double corset is actually two separate corsets, worn simultaneously, one layered over the other. What’s the deal with this strange trend? Why would anyone wear two corsets and what do they hope to gain in the process?

What’s the Deal with Double Corseting?

The concept of double corseting is no different from any other trend that assumes more is better, like all-you-can-eat pancakes at IHOP (with nary a vomitorium in sight) or unlimited wireless plans (like you don’t spend enough time glued to your phone already). The idea behind the double corset is that you can increase the effectiveness of your waist slimming regimen by wearing not one, but two corsets.

Unfortunately, this will not actually infer any additional benefits, and it could do more harm than good. First of all, if you have the right corset to begin with, it’s more than capable of doing the job on its own, without an assist from a second corset.

Second, tightening one corset on top of another is likely to damage the first layer, potentially warping the steel boning or damaging the fabric. There’s also a chance you’ll harm yourself in the process. Donning a second corset is more likely to increase pressure and pain than improve fit and help you achieve long-term results.

Finally, you’re probably wearing a corset with the goal of reducing your waist size. Why on earth would you add the extra bulk of a second corset and another set of laces? In other words, there’s no practical purpose for a double corset.

But Jessica Alba Did It!

Yeah, I’ve heard this story, too. After having a baby, Jessica Alba revealed that she wore a double corset for three uncomfortable months to lose baby weight faster. Ugh. For starters, she wasn’t wearing steel boned, waist training corsets. She was wearing flexible, elastic waist cinchers that are designed to smooth lumps and bumps, not significantly reduce waist size.

Second, she was wearing them under the assumption that they would help her lose weight (an assumption for which there is no real proof, by the way). The point is that both the garments and the goals in question were different. By wearing two waist cinchers, Alba was never in danger of damaging pricy corsets or harming her body.

Can I Double Corset Anyway?

You absolutely can double corset, and some women do so for fashion reasons. If, for example, you want to pair an overbust corset with a waspie to make a fashion statement, there’s nothing stopping you. However, if you want to avoid damaging the first corset with the second layer, and potentially harming yourself in the process, you have to be very careful not to over-tighten the outer corset.

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