A Look inspired by, “ The Sylph” written by the classic Georgiana Canvendish, Duchess of Devonshire
Although corsets and stays have been popular since ancient times, it wasn’t until the sixteenth century that we witnessed a “stiffening up” in representations of women. By the 18th century, these garments—known as stays—were designed to conform the body into an inverted cone shape, featuring a rounded bosom and a much smaller waist. They were elongated to create an upward silhouette, rising high under the arms. The armholes were positioned further back, and, along with the shoulder straps, were intended to force the shoulders backwards, achieving the desirable “small back” posture.
As Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, reflects in The Sylph (1778):
“My dear Louisa, you will laugh when I tell you that poor Winifred, who was reduced to be my gentlewoman’s gentlewoman, broke two laces in endeavouring to draw my new French stays close. You know I am naturally small at bottom, but now you might literally span me. You never saw such a doll. Then, they [the stays] are so intolerably wide across the breast that my arms are absolutely sore with them; and my sides so pinched! – But it is the ‘ton’; and pride feels no pain. It is with these sentiments the ladies of the present age heal their wounds; to be admired is a sufficient balsam.”
This passage highlights the physical discomfort imposed by fashion and serves as a reflection of the confined social expectations placed on women during this era. The tightening of the body through corsetry mirrors the constraints imposed by society, where outward appearance was prioritized over personal comfort.
In examining the different types of corsets fashionable during the 18th century, I chose to wear a V-shaped stay, as this was one of the most popular styles of the time. This choice symbolizes the societal pressures women faced and the lengths they went to in order to conform to idealized standards of beauty. The title of the text, The Sylph, refers to an angelic, graceful woman, which is why I wore a corset and a sheer dress to embody the theme of the text.
Wearing:
Sheer long sleeve dress: Thrifted (American Thrift)
Stay/Corset: In collaboration with @scarletdarkeness_brand
Flats: Thrifted
17th-century pearl necklace: Available for purchase on my shop.
