Stays, bodies and corsets are all names for the same thing - the item of clothing that provided support, shaping and silhouette appropriate to the time.
Corsets are a bespoke item, unique to you, the wearer. Not only are they carefully fitted to you but they should express your wishes and tastes in terms of length, stiffness, fabric, colour, final use and so on.
The details below are just a starter for thought. To order a corset or stays, I will collect some basic details and then charge a small deposit (£20) to spend time exploring with you what you really want. From this the final cost will be presented as an itemised list, including the deposit. If you do not want to invest at that stage, then you have only lost the deposit and might have had some fun thinking about what you would like.
At least one fitting in person is required. No responsibility for comfort or fit will be taken if we cannot arrange a mutually agreeable time and location for a fitting.
Short stays / corset.
This garment reflects the high waistline of the 1630’s and 1640’s. It would have been worn under a lightly boned bodice with separate skirt and probably a bum roll. It can be front or back lacing.
The peplums (tabs) are usually un-boned (as shown in the photo). The short stays can be underwear (hidden from view) or part of the outer garment if made from rich fabric as the “bodies” of the gown.
There are advantages in terms of mobility, twisting and bending to a short corset but they can eventually dig in at the waist or under the arms as you bend and twist at the waist a lot.
The fabric and colour will be your choice but the stays are made of a strong outer fabric, and a strong lining fabric. Although not authentic, as it was invented later, coutil is a great fabric for both outer and lining or to support a more showy outer fabric such as satin or heavy silk. The “bones” in my stays are always artificial whalebone (baleen) bought from “Sew Curvy”.
CORONA VIRUS: Any stays made until after the current lockdown is eased will be made to measurements, posted and then adjusted as much as possible if the fit is very poor.
short corset with unboned peplums
Prices
Short stays / corset
Prices start from £250
Non-refundable deposit £20
Please add 6 weeks to the current waiting time as an estimate of delivery date. Delivery date will be confirmed when the full details and price have been agreed.
Long stays / corset.
This garment reflects the longer, narrower shape of the early 1600’s and then again from 1640’s onwards. In the early form, it might have been worn under a farthingale and gown or as an integral part of a kirtle and gown. In the later form, it might be the outer (fashion) garment rather than hidden underwear.
1640-1660 style stays from the Patterns of Fashion 5 book are a particular design that I produce. The peplums on these stays are boned and flare out to cover the hips, providing the smooth transition from chest through waist to hips. It was more common for these stays to be the outer part of a skirt/bodice set and covered in colourful fabric but they can be plain underwear too.
The dis-advantage of a long corset is that bending and twisting are more limited, so they would not have been common for working women, however, they have less of a tendency to dig in at the waist or under the arms as you move.
The fabric and colour will be your choice but the stays are made of a strong outer fabric, and a strong lining fabric. Although not authentic, as it was invented later, coutil is a great fabric for both outer and lining or to support a more showy outer fabric such as satin or heavy silk. The “bones” in my stays are always artificial whalebone (baleen) bought from “Sew Curvy”.
CORONA VIRUS: Any stays made until after the current lockdown is eased will be made to measurements, posted and then adjusted as much as possible if the fit is very poor.
Prices
Long stays / corset
Prices start from £300
Non-refundable deposit £20
Please add 6 weeks to the current waiting time as an estimate of delivery date. Delivery date will be confirmed when the full details and price have been agreed.
Reviews
“I still remember the corset you made for me was really comfortable. I don’t wear it often enough now.”