A visual image of mid crinoline era Undergarments Undergarments and underwear. The Crinoline era is perhaps most well known for its crazy and very structured underwear. The skirt had reached such ridiculous proportions that no amount of petticoats would be able to sustain the shape. This led to the invention of the hoop skirt, which was a true Godsend, it freed the legs, put less pressure and weight on the waist, and allowed for a women to be both fashionable and comfortable. Prior to this, the big skirt silhouette was created using petticoats with as many as seven petticoats used at one time. Petticoats have been left out to show the layers used under and over the pettis that are normally not able to be seen. The outermost layer seen is the hoop skirt. It was made of light steel hoops attatched to vertical bands. This hoop in the picture weighs less than two pounds, and is very light and springy. The next layer is the corset. Used much in the same manner today
