Crinolines were the frequent target of jokes and cartoons. Originally crinoline was a horsehair/cotton or horsehair/linen blend fabric, in the 1830s, but by about 1850 the term was used to describe a stiffened petticoat which supported the increasing large and circular skirts of women's dresses. In the 1850s this petticoat was superseded by a steel hoop structure which, though lighter than the petticoat, was both dangerous and hard to manage. If one did not sit down carefully, the hoops would fly up. They were also the cause of many serious accidents, since they easily caught on machinery, made leaving streetcars perilous, and caught fire easily due to both their size and their airiness.More on crinolines and their perils in the next post.
Cartoon, circa 1857, from the NYPL Digital Gallery.
15 comments:
I'm not quite old enough to remember crinoline skirts such as these, but I do remember wearing slips with starched skirts that made our dresses stand out. Made for nice twirling on the playground!
Patricia - Yes, crinoline petticoats did make a comeback in the 50s/60s, but they were much easier to manage. I don't see playgrounds and steel hoops working out too well - although the steel hoop just on its own might make a good mini climbing frame.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
First time here. Came via EC. Very cool, interesting site. Great to meet you!
http://thefrugalkennedys.blogspot.com
Let me tell you about the time I wiped out trying to get out of a carriage in a hoop...
Shyam - Thank you!
Mommy Kennedy - Thanks, and welcome! I will check out your blog too. I am also a SAHM (even though I don't write about it).
Ebon Swan - You know that I want to hear about this, don't you? I was thinking of you and Sarahanne at Victorian Times when I wrote this. I figured you both know a lot more about hoop skirts than I do. Not that this has ever stopped me from writing about something! :)
I wonder what the fashion thought was that inspired hoop skirts? Women's fashions throughout history are pretty unexplainable. "Fun" doesn't begin to cover the hoop skirt subject, though. The entire nineteenth century was pretty amazing for women in that regard.
My friend wore a crinoline under her prom dress to poof it out even more than it already was. It was killing her all night!
Max - I suspect that the person who thought of them, whether male or female, never had to wear them. Never thought of wearing them. There were several anti-crinoline societies got up by women by the mid-1860s, which won't surprise you.
Josie - I'll bet it did, I can't even imagine!
I wore a formal dress one time with a big hoop skirt underneath. I sat down the wrong way on the hoop, which made the front of the skirt rise up over my head. *blushes*
Hairball - Oh no! Not fun at all...And very easy to have happen, from what I've been reading.
Imagine what MacGyver could have created out of a metal crinoline frame.
Bill - It boggles the mind! :)
It's interesting to consider the transition from the early 19th century fashions (Jane Austen anyone?) to the Romantic Era with the bell skirts, and then on to the bustle. The bustles make me laugh more than the hoops because bustles were considered to be so provocative! They made the woman's bottom sway from side to side and it was soo scandalous when introduced! :-)
Mrs Marvel - Yes, absolutely - and the tight lacing was also supposed to be very provocative (not to mention very uncomfortable!)
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