Strapless Stays, designed for comfort, provide a cylindrical shape to the torso and allow full freedom of movement of the arms and shoulders. Complete with fully illustrated directions, includes suggestions for any necessary alterations required to fit each individual figure. Available in sizes 6 – 24, one size per pattern.
Strapless Stays
In the 18th Century, stays were worn to reshape the upper female torso into the fashionable ideal. High fashion stays with shoulder straps were designed to create a straight, rigid line from bosom to naval (and beyond), compress and widen the bosom, narrow the back, and elongate and narrow the waistline. Stays were the basic foundation garment upon which all outer garments were built. From comments of the time, shape was more important than comfort.
However, not all 18th century women dressed in high fashion. Many pairs of strapless stays have survived which have no shoulder straps. That means the stays did not restrict movement of the shoulders or upper arms or narrow the back. Based on observation, strapless stays also have proportionally larger waistlines than strapped stays, which means they were designed to mold a less conical and more tubular shape. They were probably a lot more comfortable.
These strapless, fully-boned stays are designed to reshape the torso in the same way the originals did 200 years ago. They are designed to be worn on a modern, 21st century body. Like the original strapless stays, these stays do not compress the lower ribcage or waistline.
In selecting your size, please use bust/waist measurement rather than the ready-made clothing size you normally wear. If you plan to wear your stays laced closed, please select the next larger size. Otherwise, expect to have a 2" gap at center back between the edges of your stays. The center back gap will narrow with wear, as stays tend to stretch and become bigger around with frequent wear. Based on the shape of the pattern, do not be surprised if your waistline is larger with stays than without.