Boned corsets and fashion corsets as tops or underwear garments are sized differently. Fashion corsets and corsets that are designed primarily to function as fun stand alone pieces are measured similar to dresses and other outerwear ladies clothing. Because steel boned corsets are used for waist training and to alter the body they are sized differently. Corsets have open adjustable backs so the wearer can tension and loosen regions accordingly. Ladies with larger bust regions will more often than not, rarely receive adequate support from a soft boned corset made of plastic or simple elasticated materials. It is common to find that steel boned corsets are usually measured by waist measurement. Bust and hip size does play a part also, but the waist is the region that undertakes the re-shaping, so this is the most important part of the body to measure when sizing for a boned corset. Normal recommendations from a corset tailor would be 4 or 5 inches smaller than the natural size of the waist. In order to obtain an accurate measurement, use a tape measure to record the size of the waist in the region of the belly button, otherwise known as the midriff. Then, when ordering or researching the appropriate size of your corset, just make sure it is 4 or 5 inches smaller than the size recorded.

 Off the rack corsets are usually cut so that the bust and hip measurement is 8-10 inches larger than the waist. Remember, corsets are fully adjustable, so that they can easily open and tension shut sufficiently as the wearer deems suitable and comfortable. Working out the length of the corset can be done by taking measurements from the bust to the hip, and then deciding how long and where you would like the garment to sit. A good height for corsets being 5ft 4inches to 5ft 8inches, the vast majority of designs will be a good fit if you are this height. When buying a steel boned corset if you are out of this measurement, just be extra vigilant when ordering and buying.