I think I have mentioned before that one of my wardrobe orphans is a corset that I have never worn. Here is its story:

In late 2009 or early 2010, I ordered a black overbust strapless corset from a local store that had previously made my wedding corset (which turned out beautifully because it was customized from scratch). They adjusted their standard corset pattern for my short torso and laced me into it at my final fitting. However, I was never able to lace myself into it properly without, er, popping out of it if I raised my arms.

I got busy with life and moved across the country. I moved back to my original coast last year, by which time I had lost over 10 pounds. A month ago, I finally went to the store to get help lacing it up. The very nice ladies there thought that the weight loss was the reason I no longer filled out the top of the corset. I had the choice of trying to alter it, which would be pricey and not guaranteed to work, or consigning it, which means losing most of the value. They set up a followup appointment for me with the owner of the store, who would be able to best advise if alterations were possible and I sadly went home to consider my expensive mistake. I had that sick feeling in my stomach that you get when you've done the equivalent of setting a pile of money on fire.

This weekend, I met with the owner, who after lacing me up, took a look at it and asked if the corset had ever fit. After telling her the story, she said the corset needed to be shorter, and since it had obviously never been worn, she would take it back and make a new corset for me from scratch!

I was able to pick a different style (with straps this time) and she fitted me into my new smaller corset size. She took meticulous measurements and photographs of the alterations needed. She credited the full price of my original two year old corset towards the new one.

I picked three different black fabrics for maximal textural interest: dupioni and satin silk for the main panels and velvet for the accent panels. The new corset is going to look beautiful with the black and silver skirt from my recent Indian outfit, as well as with some of my other plainer Indian outfit skirts. I can see wearing it alone with jeans or over a blouse or dress.

I'm going to get my new, awesome, more appropriate to my lifestyle and perfectly fitted to my current body corset in just over a month!

I'm just so happy and so thrilled that the store owner really went above and beyond to make sure I'm going to end up with a corset I can wear and love AND that I haven't set a large pile of money on fire. Thank you for reading, as I just really needed an outlet to share my joy.

PS. It goes without saying that I'll post some photos once I have the corset in my hot little hands.