A quick guide to corset & stay styles from 1750 to 1850 - The Dreamstress

In last week’s (well, almost week before lasts at this point!)  Five for Friday post, when I discussed transitional stays, and succumbing to the temptation to make ‘reenactor style’ Regency stays* (which, you will be pleased to hear, I have not!), I didn’t make it clear what either was.  So naturally, people asked! I was going to just write about transitional stays and reenactor stays, but how can you write about a transition if you don’t show what something is transitioning from, and towards?  And how can I show something is a reenactorism if I don’t show what the reality was?  I realised that both needed more background, and deserved complete posts. So, here is the slightly longer, more complicated, post with a history of supportive undergarments (i.e. stays and corsets – read this post for the difference between the two) from 1750 to 1850.  This  is intended as a very general introduction to the way the types of supportive undergarments period, rather than an in-depth exploration.  One could easily write a full blog post …

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corset

Marie Antoinette's court dress bodice ca. 1780-87 Robes de cour, Robe du 18ème siècle, Marie antoinette

corsets Archives - The Dreamstress

18th Century Stays With Tabs and Straps, C.1725 Louisa Corset in

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A quick guide to corset & stay styles from 1750 to 1850 - The

Making 18th Century Stays in an (almost) Historically Accurate Way

Canezou - A small and sleeveless spencer worn over a bodice.

pas de titre) Idées de mode, Corset vintage, Style édouardien

Transitional Stays, Jumps and Regency Corsets – Lucy's Corsetry