It’s Tuesday’s tidbits and Trivia time again. That time when I dazzle you with some tantalizing snippet from the past.
Today I’m focusing on Regency Era women’s stays because, after all, they caused a dreadful amount of trouble for Ian and Vangie in The Viscount’s Vow.
Of course, If Ian hadn’t loosened Vangie’s stays when she swooned, I’d have no story, so I’m grateful for his social gaffe.
Stays had to be custom fit for the wearer. If they weren’t they could be dreadfully uncomfortable. Think about a bra you’ve owned that didn’t fit properly. Not fun!
In these two pictures you see examples of front lacing short stays (corset in French) worn over a chemise.
They were not intended to create a tiny waist.
The stays below are both modeled after early 1800 short stays.
Here we have a front and rear view of back-lacing long stays. This is what Vangie wore.
Quite comfortable looking actually. Nothing like the rigid shape-changing corsets we are accustomed to.
All of these images are courtesy of Wikmedia commons.
Please do feel free to comment, leave your own tidbit or trivia and of course links to buy your book.
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