The corset is quite interesting in that it can help one assume a role of dominance or of submission -- it can be both a symbol of power and a symbol of servitude.
A female who assumes a position of power can wear a corset to further remind her servants of her perfection. It serves to transform her mentally as well as physically. As a woman becomes sculpted by a corset she sees herself becoming that which many associate with the ideal female form -- the shape of perfection. The corset acts as a shell of protection, and as a constant reminder of her beauty and power.
Assertive men, as well can use the corset as a symbol of strength, a type of armor. A corset created specifically for a man who assumes a dominant role can narrow his stomach, in turn broadening his upper torso and thus enhancing his masculine image. In a corset of strong or bold fabric, a male can take on the appearance of a warrior or even of royalty depending upon his attitude and presence. More information on male corseting can be found on our "Male Corsetry page."
The corset can also quite easily be adapted into a symbol of servitude. A corset can be put onto a woman by her Master or Mistress who will have complete control of the tightening and loosening... when and if it comes off. The corset in this situation becomes a restraint or restriction. It acts as a constant reminder of servitude to someone else.
On a man, a femanine corset (but made to the man's measurements to prevent unnecessary discomfort or medical ailments) can easily demasculate him. It can be used to strip a man of the power that society often places on the male gender. It too is controlled by his Mistress or Master who can command that it remain in place for whatever duration they see fit.
Because the corset is so steeped in the symbolism of dominance and submission, it is a perfect tool or toy for use in erotic play. Most often thought of only as a garment, many people do not immidiately recognize the corset's ability to be used as a toy of sorts. Like other toys, a corset will aid you in playing out fantasies. And also like other toys, it involves learning new techniques to make the experiece the most pleasurable for your partner and for yourself.
"Learning the ropes" so to speak, of corsetry can be a very exhillerating and exciting process. As we start associating the corset with either a dominant or submissive personality we must begin to ask ourselves questions... "Who do I see myself as?", "What are my boundries?", "How much control do I feel right exerting over another person?", or, "How much control will I allow another person to place over me?" Communication is essential if you are taking on this endeavor with a partner. Serious corseting can be seen as a journey of intensity and growth. It is an opportunity for us to look inside ourselves and become aware of our limits, and then hopefully bypass those limits to achieve higher endurance and personal growth.
A major difference between a corset and other types of toys is the length of the experience. While many encounters can be brief or fleeting, corset play, or even training as it's most serious aspect, can be a very long, all day, or even lifetime experience.
A corset can be a tool of a power exchange which can be carried over into everyday life. The choice or the command from a Master or Mistress to wear your corset under clothing during your normal daily routine can add a very erotically charged aspect to even the most ordinary chores. Wearing a corset to work, shopping, or picking up the kids from soccer practice, can give the experience a whole new interesting twist! By carrying over part of your "secret" life into your daytime life, you can greatly intensify the experience and authenticate or validate an exchange.
As you are initially putting your partner into his or her corset, or having one put on yourself, the act can become very ritualistic... verbalizing the dynamics behind what's happening: "Y ou belong to me... you are in my control." can greatly enhance the dressing process and mental transformation. Over time, gradually increasing the duration of corseted hours can be considered achieving a special goal or like breaking an athletic record. One can be proud of their ability to perform better than exected, of their endurance... and praise can also be given to a partner if someone else is responsible for forcing them to undertake this new personal conquest.
Please send in any special personal experiences, or annecdotes you would like to share! We will post them anonymously so that others may enjoy and learn from them as well.
