Blog
It’s Hot! How to Stay Cool & Comfortable While Waist Training
Aug
The summer is upon us and warm temps have everyone shedding clothes in an effort to beat the heat. Unfortunately for those of us who waist train, this can be somewhat problematic. Corsets don’t exactly go with your average bikini.
Naturally, you’re not going to wear your corset to lounge at the pool – this is where the semi-permanent effects of waist training really pay off, because you’ll still look slim, even without your corset on. You are going to have to continue waist training throughout the summer to maintain results, though. You can’t go three months or more without slipping into a corset and expect to keep that svelte waistline.
The problem is trying to figure out how to stay cool with all that extra fabric warming your core. The last thing you want is a full-on antebellum swoon while you’re making a PowerPoint presentation, or worse, a bout of heat stroke. Hydration is an essential part of this equation, but you also need to take steps to avoid overheating, and there are several ways to get the job done without giving up your waist training regimen.
Choose Wisely, Young Padawan
The corset you choose can make a huge difference in how hot you get, and the good news is, there are plenty of materials to choose from. Among the best options for the hot summer months are mesh corsets, featuring breathable panels between boning channels in sturdier fabric. You’ll get all the support you crave without heavy layers of fabric adding to your core temperature.
If you’re worried about the longevity of mesh, as opposed to more resilient textiles, consider a lightweight cotton corset with a single layer of high-quality cotton. It won’t be lined, so you may have to wear it over clothing in the interest of preservation, but it could do the trick. Ventilated corsets are another option to consider. They feature tightly spaced boning with cutouts in between where fabric panels would normally go.
Coverage vs. Bulk
You might think wearing less clothing is the optimal solution when you’re hot, but this isn’t necessarily the full story. It’s also about the fabrics you choose. Just look at the type of clothing people tend to wear in desert climates, such as parts of the Middle East and Africa. While the tendency to cover up is sometimes related to religious or cultural beliefs, it’s also wise to protect one’s skin to avoid sun exposure.
How do they stay covered without overheating? They choose lightweight, breathable fabrics like linen that pull moisture away from the body and help you to remain cool even when it’s intolerably hot outside.
It’s unlikely that you’ll find corsets in linen, which is a delicate fabric, but you can certainly choose blouses, pants, skirts, and dresses in lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics during the summer months. This will provide the coverage you need when wearing a corset, without adding heavy bulk that leads to overheating.
Fan Yourself
In the olden days, it wasn’t unusual for women to carry hand fans, not only to convey messages with different gestures (coquettishly hiding behind the fan, or snapping it open and shut to show displeasure, for example), but also to keep cool in the heat. Granted, they were wearing a LOT more layers of fabric than the average modern women, but still, it can’t hurt to copy their style.
Carrying a small, compact hand fan in your purse can help you to stay cool and stop your makeup from melting on a hot summer day. Plus, all it takes is a snap of your new favorite accessory to tell Gerald from marketing that he better not be late with the deliverables for your upcoming social media campaign.
Understand the Signs of Heat Stroke
With temperatures getting more extreme, it’s not a bad idea to know the signs of heat stroke, just in case. While your corset is no more likely than any other garment to give you heat stroke, especially if you remain hydrated and find other ways to avoid overheating, knowing the signs of heat stroke could save your life when temperatures soar.
If you’re feeling weak, dizzy, confused, or nauseous; you have a throbbing headache, shallow breathing, or rapid heartbeat; and most importantly, your skin feels hot and dry (i.e. you’re not sweating when you should be), it might be time to visit the emergency room. When the weather gets hot, it pays to be extra diligent about keeping cool. Safety first, whether you’re waist training or not.
Stay up-to-date with weekly blog posts, waist training tips, and the chance to win one of our monthly corset giveaways, like us on Facebook & subscribe to our mailing list today! Want to find the perfect steel boned corset? Shop some of our favorites: underbust corsets, overbust corsets, corset dresses. You can also shop our corsets by material: cotton corsets, denim corsets, leather corsets, mesh corsets, pvc corsets, and satin corsets.
My name is Rachel, I am the owner of Glamorous Corset, a small business founded by me in 2010. Back In 2005, I was in a car accident that left me with a herniated disk. Much to my surprise I learned steel boned corsets were beneficial to several medical injuries including mine. I was always intrigued with corsetry, their history and their beautiful aesthetic. I love sharing knowledge about corsets, educating my wonderful readers and breaking the negative stigma related to corsetry. In combination with my years of research and personal experience I hope my articles are useful and can help anyone who has struggled with some of the same things I have. More about me…