A really different sort of stays

[Val]

I came across a blog that talked about these stays, and thought them very interesting. Of course they'd probably only work for slender ladies, but an interesting idea.
historyhoydens.blogspot.com/2010/01/interesting-regency-era-stays.html

[colonialrose]

Oh yes - I spotted those too. They are being offered at Vintage Textile, and they have about 9 photos of them from different angles, which allow you to check out the construction so much more easily, as well as the measurements of the stays. I wondered if maybe they were made for a pre-teen/early teen-aged girl.

Here is the link to the stays at Vintage Textile:
www.vintagetextile.com/new_page_193.htm

[lastbloom]

These are interesting! They might have been used by a pregnant woman, or even an invalid, as they do not appear restrictive and there is no busk to poke you in the belly when laying down. I could see this style being worn by a working woman, as they would not restrict movement and do not require help to lace them on.

[francesgrimble]

Those are "morning stays," a "morning belt," or "half-stays." The terms are interchangeable. I covered the making of a number of styles in my book _The Lady's Stratagem: A Repository of 1820s Directions for the Toilet, Mantua-Making, Stay-Making, Millinery & Etiquette_. They usually fastened in front in some manner, and period sources admit the fastenings could be bulky and awkward. Morning stays were only worn for the private part of the morning, after first getting up, when women got only partly dressed. During this time they helped the servants to get breakfast, tidy up, and get the household ready for the day. They then put on full stays and dressed to be visible in public, to do the household shopping, receive callers, or whatever.

Fran
Lavolta Press
www.lavoltapress.com

[francesgrimble]

I should add, morning stays could be made in any desired size. Some women apparently did not want any morning stays at all, judging from a source I read that frowned on the practice. They just waited to put on stays till they got fully dressed.

Fran
Lavolta Press
www.lavoltapress.com