Middle and lower class stays of the mid 18th century…

… took a slightly different shape.  The 1760’s were strapless and had only a small functional opening at the top of the center front, perhaps to accommodate nursing.  These simple, commoner stays were constructed from linen.  Extant stays have been of brown linen lined in white and lavender wool satin lined in white.

(Photo: Today’s re-enactors replicate low class status wearing reproduction brown linen stays)