Tail size, what do you think?

[Firemaid]

So a lot of people of late have been complaining about tails they buy being too small.

I have two silicone tails right now.
One is a little bigger and one a little smaller.

I super prefer the little one (it's about 2 inches too small all the way around)
Yes it takes 20 minutes to get on.
Yes it hurts my ankles and knees.

But I prefer it because it looks better in photos, stays on better, forces me to keep my legs straight and has less butt flap action.

My larger tail slides right on, it's more comfortable, but has more drag and more wrinkles. It's exactly to my measurements.

What do you guys think?

Would you rather have a tail that is too small or too big?
Let's assume perfect isn't an option.

[jazz2453]

Too small! My first tail was baggy and awkward. The second tail I created was tight and fit like a glove. The only wrinkles are at my ankles (which is a problem for basically any tail) But other then that it feels really nice!

[Jessica]

Too small is nice! The tail I'm making for Eva is too small for me, hard to get on and tight! It fits like a second skin though and I think I'm going to make my next one the same size. My first tail is too loose behind the knees. You really have to take a tail in an extra 3-4 inches at the knees to get a good fit or you will have lots of wrinkles!

[Blondie]

I agree, smaller is better in my opinion. Typically when people make costumes they always say bigger is better because you can hem it. But with tails, you can't hem them.

Since silicone, latex, and spandex have a slight stretch to them, a smaller tail isn't always a bad thing. I took off a half an inch on my Fish Butts tail. When I first got it. I was livid I did that. It took 20 minutes to get it in and I was covered in sweat. However, after that I didn't have a problem with it. I put it on when I was in the water and used conditioner to help slide it on. But man did it fit perfect then! It was tight but in a good way. It felt secure and I wouldn't have to pull it up ever. It stays in place completely and really feels like second skin. Now that my tail is older, it has little more of a stretch to it. Now it fits me to my real measurements. I'm so glad that i took a half inch off because at this point, it would be a half inch too big on me if I put in the real measurements.

[Mermaid Lorelei]

I made my silicone tail to my exact measurements and I am always dealing with wrinkles and slippage. I am making my next tail tighter for sure just so I don't have to worry about the butt flapping and the waist falling down. It really sucks when you're performing and the kids noticed that your waist section doesn't actually attach to your skin. Honestly, I'd prefer a little bit of a muffin top from my tail being too tight over having it floppy and loose. So yeah, I'm definitely a smaller is better gal, even if it means a bit of pain.

[Anahita]

Smaller is better, within reason though. I know there's a lot of complaints about "too small" but there's that old adage "beauty is pain" - and in this case beauty for us it seems is a tail with few to no wrinkles, and no bubbles coming out of our nose. (both of which can be uncomfortable until you're used to it) ;)

[Mermaid Annariea]

smaller is better, but obviously if it's too small it's going to be painful and impossible to get into.

[Mermaid Dottie]

I agree with smaller. My first fabric tail was made to my pre-pregnancy measurements, and it was too loose in the water. I was always taking that thing in.