1000 BC

17th century

Cretan Corset

Early C17th metal

and whalebone
corset.
Well cut corsets,
more often called
stays until the
18th century, were
made with boning. A
corset or a boned
lining supported the
shaping of the
bodice which after
1620 had a higher
waistline and a
longer stomacher.
1620

Cane and linen

stays circa 1620.
After 1630-40 the
corset became part
of the top fabric
bodice as it was
mounted on a boned
lining. This was
actually thought of
as tailoring as the
stays became one
with the bodice
gown. This fashion
virtually dispensed
with stays as an
item.
1890s and 1900s

'health' corsets
initially designed to
aid women to

breathe freely.
1907
After 1907 the wasp
waist became less
acute and corsets
became

straighter. The corset of

1907achieved a long slim
silhouette.