Locked Corset

Weight Loss

Women and men have used corsets for centuries to reshape their bodies. As styles evolved, the role of the corset has too. In the 1600s corsets were used to flatten chests. Later, they were used to enhance a woman's breasts. Sometimes they were worn to emphasize a woman's hips.

Eventually women began to tighten their corsets as much as possible in order to make their waists appear slimmer. Wealthy women had servants tighten the laces on their corsets. In a scene from the film Gone With the Wind, the main character, Scarlett O'Hara, winces while her servant pulls the strings tight on her undergarment. This practice of pulling a corset as tight as the wearer can handle is called tightlacing.

In today's weight obsessed culture, corsets are making a comeback as a body-slimming device and a growing subculture of tightlacers is developing. Tightlacers believe wearing a corset for at least twelve hours a day will permanently alter the shape of a body.

That's where the locked corset plays a role. People who lack the fortitude and willpower to stay bound in a tight corset all day can opt to be locked into their undergarment. The lock is located behind the back so the wearer is trapped in until someone unlocks them. This way, they cannot cheat on their body-slimming efforts. Sometimes this practice is called corset training.

Erotic Adventures

Weight loss isn't the only reason people wear a lock on their corsets. Some people use these bound garments to enhance their sexual adventures. Locked corsets are a popular bondage device. A person can lock himself or herself or have a partner lock them into a corset. The garment can only be removed with the permission of the key holder. The truly adventurous can also add garters, harnesses and chastity belts to their corsets.

Adding a lock is an alternative to the traditional bondage corset. Typical bondage corsets extend to right above the knees and are designed to restrict the wearer's movements.

Health Concerns

Corsets worn too tightly can be harmful to a person's health. They can cause chafed skin, back pain and shortness of breath. More severe side effects include damage to the rib cage and compression of the internal organs.

For these reasons, the safest way to wear a locked corset is to have it made to measure. Getting a proper fit for your body's dimensions will reduce the chances of harming yourself. Of course the safest way to lose weight is through a sensible diet and exercise routine.

Consider your health when using these garments for sexual reasons, too. Corsets and locks should only be used by consenting adults. If you don't feel comfortable, then discontinue the practice.

Where to Buy

While corsets are available from almost any lingerie company, locked corsets are not as easy to find. The best way to get one is to purchase an add-on device like a locking belt or lacing guard. These items, which are usually made-to-measure, are worn over a traditional corset and keep the garment tightly in place until someone unlocks it for the wearer.

Wasp Creations sells a padlock and lacing guard for $100. The company's website has a video that shows how to lace and lock your garment. It also has an extensive Frequently Asked Questions section about tightlacing.

Laced and Locked sells locking belts for corsets. The studded leather belt is $75 and the unadorned belt is $65. Belts are custom made to match the wearer's exact measurements.

Use Caution with Locked Corsets

Wearing corsets to lose weight can be a dangerous practice. Any weight loss efforts should be discussed with a doctor. Healthy, consenting adults should only lock themselves into corsets for sexual adventure as a form of play.