Historic Stays Made the Modern Way

This piece served as the cornerstone of my senior thesis, exploring the reinterpretation of 1780s French stays through a contemporary lens. Inspired by historic silhouettes but updated for modern wearers, this design embraces curves, refines construction, and strips away excess.

The stay is made almost entirely from upcycled or discounted materials — a reflection of how everyday women of the 18th century may have sourced their garments. A vintage tablecloth, scrap canvas, and broadcloth form the base. It’s half-boned with cable ties, laced with markdown ribbon, and finished with bartered twill and bias tape. The result is both study and statement — an homage to history, made sustainably modern.