…were covered with rich material and peeked out from under the front of the robe. In 1630, a short bodice that looked like the man’s doublet of the same time was worn by all classes and especially lower and middle classes long after women of elite classes had abandoned them. …

…of the waistline as it rose or fell, but stays kept a long center front and stomacher. The basque was replaced by long side tabs, to which petticoats were tied. (Extant garment: 17th century stiffened bodice with tabs)

…were very similar in shape to those of the 16th, but the neckline became much lower in front. By about 1620, the farthingale (skirt support) was discarded, and gowns became much shorter. (Painting: Queen Anne of Denmark in about 1600 with the new, lower bodice but old understructures)

…the word “corset” can be found, but it is always used in plural “corsets”.  France kept the old term “corps” until about the year 1800, after which the term “corset” (never “corsets”) was used. (Photo: Early 1600’s Tudor CORSETS originating from the French term ‘Corps’ or ‘Body’.  Term used commonly …

…100 years, the “pair of bodys” would be called instead a “pair of stays”.  The latter name is still used today to describe the under bodice with artificial stiffeners as supports or “stays”. (Photo: 1560-62 “Pair of Bodys” found in the Prague Castle)

…when the Catholic Church held control over social morals.  It was a time of Restoration of the British Monarchy, who introduced a more sober attitude.  Clothing became more elegant in style and simpler in cut.  Women’s fashion was a version of man’s doublets, including short waisted “basques”.  Silk satins were …

…brought new ideas, raw materials, and exotic fashion ideas.  The Barocco pearl became a key fashion accessory, found in Portugal.  The early 17th century was called “Baroque”. (Portrait: 1606 Elizabeth de Valois in Baroque pearls)

… trade with india brought a new kind of starch called “rice starch” which had been used by Indians as a protective barrier between hair oils and costly fabrics of garments. This collar stiffener affected how European fashion would be developed with the elaborate collars and ruffs of Courts such …

…an elaboration of the Renaissance styles. Court life was extremely influential, as political supremacy dictated behavior and culture. War and political marriages brought new ideas to cross over the boundaries of countries. Tailors continued to be the innovators and implementers of new ideas. (Portrait: 1543 Queen Elizabeth I)

…occurred during the Tudor era which was between 1485 and 1603 in England and Wales and includes as a “sub-era” the Elizabethan period during the reign of Elizabeth I until 1603. The Tudor period coincides with the dynasty of the House of Tudor in England whose first monarch was Henry …