A few tips for wearing corsets with Lolita
If you're planning on wearing the corset under your clothes, buy an unadorned one. No ruffles or bows, no matter how Lolita it may look, it's just going to show through as ugly lumps.
Stick with an under-bust with a short-hip. If you're wearing it over Lolita you're not going to want the corset to be too long, or it's going to give you a really weird shape. I've found the Timeless Trends corsets are just perfect for Lolita since they are a little on the short side. If you're buying from somewhere else, such as a custom corseter, and plan on wearing your corset over your Lolita clothes, try going for a waist cincher rather than an under-bust. It's exactly what it sounds like, a short corset that cinches in the waist.
Invest in a couple plain camisoles to wear under your corset. So long as your corset isn't touching your skin, you need not worry about washing it too often. Frequent washing or skin contact can damage a corset. Plus, a couple cute camisole tops with a little bit of lace detail always adds to the dress-up thrill that Lolita brings.
The corset should go over your normal Lolita under things. Put on any stockings, bloomers, petticoats, and camisoles that you are planning on wearing, then put your corset on over that.
If you plan on wearing a JSK with a blouse, wearing a corset over the blouse, but under the JSK will help eliminate any bulk that the blouse would add, and also make sure that the blouse stays in place. Do a double check before you go out to make sure the corset can't be seen under the JSK, especially in the back!
If you're going to be wearing the corset under your Lolita clothes, make sure you get your corset laced up with a ribbon. When you tie the corset off, the bow will lay flat against the corset. If your corset laces up with a cord, the bow will show up as a little lump through your clothes.
Corsets don't look too good with A-line dresses, either over or under. Unless the A-line dress has a lot of poof to it, the corset is going to make it look really weird.
