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Black Velvet Cincher Review True Corset

I own a fair few corsets by now, which is really fortunate for me as Ive come to love them as inner wear as well as outer-wear. Nothing smoothes the line under a pretty slinky dress quite like a corset. I own several patterns and colors, black, silver, blue, striped, damask, but what I really have been wanting for quite some time was a black velvet corset. When True Corset approached me to ask if I would like to review one of their corsets, I immediately jumped on the opportunity to add to my collection and try out a new corset retailer.


The model I chose was this Steel Boned Black Velvet Cincher Corset. The package came from True Corset quite quickly and bundled up nicely. Of course, its now approaching the humid, hot Maryland summer, so I wanted to wear it often sooner rather than later.

Unlike many corsets, this cincher does not have a peak under the bust and is largely flat all the way around. For me, this means that its actually very comfortable to wear--where on a normal corset that peak interferes with my braline, this one doesnt at all. It also makes it an extremely versatile piece to be worn on top of any kind of outfit. The steel bones are very nicely supportive as well.

The laces on this corset are nice and sturdy and dont seem to be fraying at all around the grommets, which is good. On the inside, the corset is lined with a cottony fabric which keeps it from being hot and sticky against the skin. I couldnt find a stitch out of place on any of it.

Are there any downsides? Well, like any velvet fabric, the corset attracts lint and pet hair like a magnet. Still, Goths are pretty used to this by now, and if you dont mind giving yourself a nice lint rolling after cuddling Fluffy, it shouldnt be too much of a problem.

All in all, though, I think this corset looks pretty great! It matches so many things in my closet and is going to be making a lot of appearances, especially when we reenter autumn and winter. I plan on keeping this corset as an outer piece, rather than a foundation garment, just because its so pretty.

If you are in the market for a new corset, or if you just want to stock up your wishlist for when you are, check out True Corset! The link to this velvet cincher is right here, but there are tons of other options. Their Gothic corsets collection is pretty gorgeous and fits a range of sizes while not breaking the bank.

What is your favorite corset, if you have one? If not, would you wear velvet in the summer?

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Black and White Online Class

Finally, I have figured out an online workshop on Working in Black and White.  It begins next summer, July 19 (sorry I could not squeeze it in sooner).

I am very much drawn to the simplicity and austerity of black and white, neutrals, and shades of gray, even though much of my own work relies on color. Color is a powerful language, and it’s often the element we relate to most immediately in a painting. Because it is such a strong element, we sometimes neglect other possibilities of richness and subtlety in our visual expression.  Read more here.

 Here are a few previous blog posts on working in Black and White:  Black and White and Shades of Gray;  Happy New Year (2015), which includes a video; and Black and White Studies.  Since it is a while before the class starts, I encourage you to do your own studies in black and white.  See what happens!

Available link for download