ABSTRACT
My continued studies into stays and corsets have revealed many examples of corsets made by the professional stay maker or corsetiere, as well as those that have been lovingly handmade at home to replicate the fashionable shapes of the period. These garments reflect the wide range of women’s body shapes across the centuries, emphasising our individuality and uniqueness. The stays and corset examples in museums are often bespoke so therefore do not necessarily follow strict rules on shape and construction. Many have taken on the figure of the owner through constant wear and reveal information about their status as well as their body shape.
