I was super excited about this corset, and it looks just as nice in person as it does online. A lot of the corsets I have encountered seem like they are made to be only worn a couple times before something snags or starts to come apart, but the trim and the eyelets and the fabric all look quite solid. The black side looks like it will last longer than the red side, which is quite impressive. I was afraid the scroll pattern might look cheap, with glitter flaking all over, but it is subtly shimmery and quite nice looking. After being worn for several hours straight, which included a lot of time sitting in a theater watching a movie, the only signs of wear are right around the waist, where it is clear that the person wearing it spent a good time sitting down. It doesn't look any worse for wear, though, and it will get many more uses out of it. The garters are detachable, though it will take some effort to wiggle them out. The garter straps are shorter and stretchier than the ones I'm used to, and also adjustable. The ribbons used to tie the corset in the back could have been a bit longer; it will be hard to re-lace the thing behind your back after you loosen them to put it on. It is definitely easier to have a friend adjust it once you're already in it, which is something to keep in mind if you're hoping to excuse yourself to slip into it unassisted in a small bathroom while your partner waits impatiently. You might want to put the corset on before your partner gets home and then throw something on over it, so you don't have to try to lace it up the first time in a rush. It is truly reversible and both sides look lovely, but the hooks have to be done up facing the opposite way for the black side, which is a little weird but unavoidable.

The thong is a step up from your standard "one size fits all" thong. It's tiny but more forgiving in the stretch of the sides than most. It looks like it will survive the laundry better than a lot of the Frederick's panties I've encountered. The crotch is lined in cotton and it's not a g-string, so you might actually be able to wear it for more than a half hour if you're inclined to. If not, the detailing on this corset would go great with other black underwear you have in your drawers, especially something sleek and shiny, so no worries if it's not perfect on you. I wish I could say that I remember the thigh highs, but they got mixed in with the rest of my collection so quickly that I'm not quite sure which pair is which. I remember being pleasantly surprised but not completely in love. Fortunately, any black thigh-highs would look lovely with this corset, so find the kind that looks best on you and don't worry about wearing the free ones that come packaged with corsets.

Unfortunately, this corset is sized for somebody with a slightly different body type than mine. I ordered a 34 because I wear a 34A bra and I have hips that I didn't want to choke to death. It fits me great in the hips, but even at its tightest, there is ample room for the breasts I don't have. I should have ordered a 32. Live and learn: always err on the side of too small when it comes to corsets. You can expand a corset with the laces, but you can never lace it tighter than it was made to be laced. Fortunately, my friends and I frequently attend midnight showings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, so I had a bunch of willing bodies to try it on. I wouldn't recommend this corset for guys, because my male friends had the same problems that I did with filling the spaces left for breasts (unless you want to stuff it with something). My female friend with larger breasts than mine (B cup) looked wonderful in it and was able to give it a test run for me. She looks amazing in it. I'll keep you updated on the corset's future adventures, since it will be living in my Rocky Horror costume box until further notice.

I would absolutely try other items from this company in another size. I'd buy this one again in a size smaller, but my friend is loving the gift and I wouldn't want to go out to Rocky Horror in matching corsets, especially since she looks so good in it! I wouldn't want to compete!

I'm super disappointed that I made the mistake of ordering my actual band size, because I would wear this all the time if it flattered my body. I'm thinking that I need to learn to make my own corsets or find a maker that designs them for specific bra sizes for a price that fits my tiny budget. Any tips on corset sources for smaller women would be appreciated! (I'll start a thread elsewhere, to keep things on topic.)