Description:
"Pair" of women's back-lacing stays (or corset) dating to about the thrid quarter of the 18th century. Green wool. lined with linen. leather. The contemporary term for a woman's corset in the 18th century was stays, referring to the function of this garment to keep the wearer 's body in place, or "stay." Often both front and back lacing, they were referred to as a pair of stays even when they were only back lacing, as this example. Stays were worn by all women regardless of economic background, as a way to correctly shape the body and such undergarments also aided in the wearing of heavier clothing or multiple skirts, as well as providing some support for the back.

Subjects:
Textile fabrics; Leather; Linen; Wool

Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+F.348

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