For further information see vol. O.O.D. or the article is elswhere on my web site . Boned sleeveless bodices would have been worn - although whalebone might not have been used, working class women could have used bents. These were bundles of reeds which acted as whalebone. Wooden busks would also have been used for shaping, these would have been carved locally.
Numerous tapestries show women working in fields wearing sleeveless stay-like bodices.
A large square of linen, folded diagonally and pinned or tied about the neck was worn, especially by labouring women. By covering the back of the neck heat is kept in when cold and sunstroke avoided when warm. The kerchief also covers the d colletage modestly, 17th century women did not invite rape. Wait until the beer tent to show off your cleavage and avoid the infamous 'SK tan' markings. Bodices See contemporary references, they were unlikely to have had braid or ribbon unless second hand from richer women.