Thanks for the question, Marina, and for being a Regency Reader!
I am only going to speak to the long Regency era (1795-1837). By the end of the 18th century, the design of stays changed and began to be referred to as a corset. There were also softer stays called jumps (this may have also been referred to as a corset) that provided support and modesty but were much more comfortable to wear. There were also half stays, which looked a bit more like modern bras.
It’s likely a travelling lady would have chosen a more comfortable jump, corset, or half stay for her travels and a more form fitting style when going to an event. Travelling costumes, it’s worth noting, also frequently were buttoned up to the neck or had a pelisse or other covering.
As the Smithsonian article shares, we have a distorted view of corsets because of dramatic movie scenes where the young lady is grasping the bedpost while her laces are tightened, but this is not necessarily reflective of reality. A woman would have had far more options to fit her shape, needs, and comfort, and that included softer, yet gently structured, items that would be a bit like a sports bra. Whalebones out, quilted or corded jumps in!
Sources:
The Stays or Corsets of the Regency era – Ilse Gregoor Costume Design
Terminology: What’s the difference between stays, jumps & a corset – The Dreamstress
What ‘Bridgerton’ Gets Wrong About Corsets | Smithsonian (smithsonianmag.com)
Also regency corsets didn’t have metal reenforcing the holes where the lacing went through. ( the name escapes me) Also, many of the corsets had a single cord that was laced more like zzzzzzzz than like XXXXX. Those scenes were someone is holding a bedpost while being laced are more Scarlet OHara in the 1860s than any Regency lady.. Besides when one has worn some sort of stays since one was a child, one becomes accustomed to wearing it even in travel. As a lady wasn’t supposed to sloucheven on a journey, the corset could actually help her keep the correct posture during the trip.
The bedpost clutching is definitely inaccurate. And you are correct, a Regency lady would have been very used to her undergarments.
Thanks, that was very interesting, as always. I read the articles, too. However, by the 1880s and 90s, gowns again became uncomfortable—I saw some actual dresses in the Sargent exhibition at the Tate in London and OMG. The waist wouldn’t have firptted a 10 year old (tiny!) and the bustles at the back… Glad i wasn’t born then.
I have the same sentiments about Victorian fashion. Glad I don’t have to wear a bustle!