They didn’t have to look much further than their permanent collection of beautiful vintage petticoats, bloomers, nightwear and more donated by the community throughout the years. “We were amazed at the good condition of the lingerie items – some more than 100 years old,” says Ferne Reilich, society curator. “The Victorian women really knew how to make the most of their femininity.”
Those attending the show heard interesting bits of undergarment history.
For example, the very first panties were loin cloths. Men wore corsets as well as women. Men made the corset framework and women sewed on the material. Bloomers were invented by a woman, Amelia Bloomer, enabling her to ride a bicycle. Size of bustles indicated wealth: the bigger the bustle, the richer the wearer.
Victorian nightgowns were traditionally long and floating with lots of fabric and lace or ruffles. Up until the Victorian era, there had been no concept of clothes meant only for bedtime. Both men and women slept in the shifts or shirts they wore as underwear during the day. The wealthy might change them more frequently, but they were still dual-purpose garments.
In the 19th century, increased prosperity and a new interest in hygiene combined to make nightclothes a necessity for those who could afford it.
The society discovered that most undergarments from 1890 to 1910 were usually a simple gathered waist sewn on muslin or a summer-weight fabric called lawn.
Close scanning might reveal a needlework technique of embroidery and cutwork bound with very intricate stitching.
When a Victorian lady began dressing for the day, she typically faced donning many layers of clothing. First she would put on knee-length “drawers” that were usually split at the crotch. Without that feature, it would have been nearly impossible to use the bathroom. Often the drawers were called bloomers, pantalets or sometimes pantaloons.
Over the bloomers, she wore a chemise, which you might think of as a slip. The chemise protected the skin from the corset that followed and a corset cover to hide it under more sheer garments.
Then came hoops, cages and bustles that gave her dress the fullness currently in fashion. If that wasn’t enough, she would add one or more petticoats for the desired billowing effect. Once these five or more layers of underwear were secured, she was finally ready for the skirt and bodice. Whew!
One has to wonder if these ladies had time for anything else.
Anita Richwine is a board member of the Centerville-Washington Twp. Historical Society. Contact her at anita824@aol.com.
About the Author