Confessions of a random pervert

It just occurred to me that I never actually blogged about my favorite corset maker here: TO.mTO in Berlin, Germany.

As a corset addict for quite some time, I've been doing "test purchases" at all kinds of corset makers over more than the last decade. Some of them very really crappy quality (like Erotex), some of them more decent (like Revanche de La Femme). Some others offer great designs but are only made for occasional wear.

The highest level of overall quality and craftsmanship I have so far found at TO.mTO. They make corsets from made-in-Germany durable fabrics, have a really high production quality and produce corsets that can be worn day-by-day for years without the slightest amount of danger. They're also constantly improving and trying new solutions. They have a lace flap / modesty flap that actually _works_, even if you lace yourself and don't have somebody at hand to pull/fiddle it into the correct place.

For the tight-lacing or restriction inclined folks, they also offer extras like a solid aluminum underbusk that makes the corset so robust that you'll never bend the front busk ever again :)

And obviously, all the corsets are made-to-measure. No matter what kind of unusual form your rib cage has, or if you have a strange shape due to a previously broken rib: They will accommodate all that with no effort.

I have no relationship to TO.mTO and they are not sponsoring this post. I'm merely a corset enthusiast who has been most happy with their products, and has seen many happy women (and men), who would never want to go back to their pre-TO.mTO days after wearing their first TO.mTO corset.

It might be just my very personal experience, but I've met a large number of women who like to wear corsets [at least from time to time], mostly as a fashion statement, but who have the severe lack of funds for this probably most expensive garment.

I am actually facing more or less the opposite problem (having some money for investing it in most beatiful things). Also, over the years, I've piled up a small collection of some 18 corsets in my shelf. No, I don't wear women's corsets, crosdressing is not what I have in mind. I mostly bought them to be worn by [former] [play] partners, or for some specific photo sets.

So what actually happens from time to time is that I get inquiries from one of those women who happen to know this exquisite habit of mine and ask me if I would borrow them one. Obviously, this is an act of friendship, and not something that I would ask money for. I'm happy to know that the respective corset is worn by a fashionable lady.

So sometimes I wonder whether there would be a business in this. Not that I'm interested in making money out of it, but just as a general idea. Renting a corset matching to a particular outfit is probably an option for the occasisional corset wearing person.

I've seen many corset designs from many maunfacturers and vendors. One that has been quite exceptional during all these years is Jeroen Vanderklis.

Don't let yourself be misguided by the low-quality web site. This guy is a master of corsetry, not of web design. I'm especially amazed by the variety of designs, from very classical designs all the road down to heavy-duty bondage corsets. Also, the number of corsets is quite impressive, given that this is a one-man shop. The number also somewhat provides a clue to how many people actually are into serious (look at the waists!) corsetry.

Actually, the poor quality of the website has prompted me to contact Jeroen and to offer my services as a volunteer for creating a new homepage with working galleries, etc. He seems to be interested, so with some luck his fans will be able to appreciate his works of art in an even better way.

Today, I would say that the corset is the single most interesting piece of female garment to me. Unlike my lycra fetish, I can't actually track back when I first saw one, or when I first felt my attraction (and reaction) to them.

What is noticable with my fascination for corsets, is the flexibility / variety of different connotations that a corset can have to me, depending on the circumstances and situation.

First of all, when e.g. worn as part of a historical costume, ball gown or similar, a corset can be extremely female, classic/classy, and most of all be an indication of style and elegance. In such a context, there is nothing sexual and/or perverted in my appreciation and admiration of the bearer of the corset.

Secondly, a corset can be incredibly sexy, both as outerwear and as underwear. Both as part of any kind of goth / fetish fashion outfit, or as part of something more mainstream compatible.

Third, a corset can be interesting just because of the constricting effect it has on its bearer. There's almost nothing more fascinating than watching the quick and limited breathing of the chest of a tightly laced lady. Seeing her happily and willingly suffer for her vanity. Feeling that she voluntarily gives up the flexibility of her body, the ability to do anything physically exercising, not being able to eat any full meal, etc. - just for wearing the corset, improving the shape of her body / looks, and for the effect it has on the eye of the beholder.

Fourth, a corset can be used as an instrument for discipline and training in a D/s kind of setup. The dominant partner can for example demand wearing of the corset from the submissive part to explicitly provoke any of the abovementioned effects (1-3). Also, the restrictive (and depending on the tightness increasingly uncomfortable) character of the corset can be used as punishment for any infamous actions by the to-be-trained submissive. Another possibility is engaging in corset [tight-lacing] training as a means to keep the submissive constricted, or even to permanently alter the body shape. For those still interested in more, there are special posture corsets that e.g. pull the shoulders back and enforce a certain desired posture onto the bearer.

And where do I personmally fit into the picture? Well, I can really appreciate corsets in any form, from the occasional elegant outfit down to tight-lacing as part of a D/s setup.

All this fascination, lust and pleasure from a single piece of garment. Isn't that fascinating in itself?