Victorian Fashions 1850's to 1860's Women's dress of this period is refer to the crinoline or hoop skirt. When the crinoline or hoop skirt first became into fashion in the 1850,s it was very circular, but by 1860 it had flattened out in front of the skirt, and the bulk of it had moved to the back. The crinoline was said to give freedom. In term it may have been freedom of what went before it, but certainly not in terms of present day dress. As leaving the house a women of this period might have worn: Drawers or underpants-cotton or linen, trimmed in lace. a bone corset, camisole or petticoat bodice-worn over stays, the crinoline or hoop skirt, stockings-held up with garters, petticoats-1 or 2, the skirt-which was very full, the bodice-which was boned and fastened in the front, an outer garment-shawl,jacket,ect., mitts or gloves boots-which buttoned, a bonnet, a handkerchief, a purse, and often a fan. A side from this there were any number of garments worn for special occasions such as Ball gowns, riding habits, mourning gowns, and garments that were worn only in the house.By the end of the decade the crinoline-supported skirts were truly prodigious, until it was impossible for two woman to enter the room together or sit on the same sofa, for the frills of one dress took up all available space. Referred to as paint, Make-up was considered very vulgar. Fan made of white tulle lace, with mother-of-pearl rods, dating from the early 19th century. "Mourning Dress" "Three Women in ball gowns, 1854" c.1860 (Sketched by Worth)The crinoline is circular in form and consists of eight hoops of flexible steel wire. Worth also work for Queen Victoria, the nobility, the wealthly bourgeoisie, and even the demimondaines. It was considered refined to be dressed by Worth! ~~Let me know you stopped by for a visit~~ "Visit my Victorian fashions on Hairstyles & Hats" "Ode to a Princess" Want to send me some mail? 1999~Judy Conaway