Petticoats have been a part of women’s fashion since the 1500s, designed to puff out skirts and enhance privacy. They fell out of fashion in the 20th century but made a comeback in the 1940s and 1950s. Petticoats are now generally worn only with formal wear.
A petticoat is a women’s undergarment, usually designed to be slightly stiff so that it will puff out skirts or dresses worn over it. A woman wearing a petticoat has long, ruffled skirts, along with the illusion of a slim waist. Petticoats have been included in women’s undergarments for centuries, waxing and waning in popularity. It is unlikely that they will disappear completely, as skirts and petticoats keep coming back in the fashion cycle. Most department stores carry petticoats, as do specialty stores, particularly stores that sell bridal wear.
Women’s fashion since at least the 1500s has included a petticoat. Women of all classes would have worn petticoats to puff out their skirts and enhance their privacy, especially in times where women’s underpants were still rare. The petticoat was usually made of a stiff material, so that it would be propped up over skirts, or multiple layers of petticoat made of soft fabrics would be worn. The large volume of the multiple petticoats would certainly add volume to the nearby, but it was certainly very hot, especially in summer.
At the very least, women usually wore at least three petticoats. In some eras, they were designed to be completely invisible, concealed under the wearer’s long skirts. In other cases, the bottom of the petticoat was meant to protrude, and would be embellished with lace, ribbons, or embroidery. In other eras, the petticoat front was designed to be visible through an open-fronted dress, slits in a dress or skirt, or looped skirts. These petticoats were as elaborately decorated as the dresses.
In the 20th century, the petticoat fell out of fashion. At the turn of the century, the slim lines of the Gibson Girl were all the rage, with a long, narrow skirt that accentuated a slender body. However, in the 1940s and 1950s, the petticoat made a comeback, in the form of a ruffled skirt in tulle and other stiff fabrics. The use of strong, stiff materials meant that women did not need to wear multiple layers of petticoats, although a slip under was often worn to reduce itchiness, as stiff fabrics were generally very scratchy.
Relatives of the petticoat include crinolines, hoop skirts, and bustles. All of these women’s undergarments were designed to create a specific shape. Some of them would have been difficult to use, especially in crowded environments. In the modern era, petticoats are generally worn only with formal wear, when a woman can afford to move slowly through a crowded room, and when she wants to draw attention to herself. Many popular fashion designers have worked with petticoats, creating luxurious full skirts for brides, debutantes, and important social events such as balls and opera openings.
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