Sissi Wedding dress

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 as a girdle would, a corset correctly laced is a little bit like a hug, and should be comfortable enough to run, bend over at the waist, and most importantly...breath. If you can't do those things, you're not doing it right. I have a 1.5" redution on each side going from a 34" to a 31", with my bust going from a 41" to 42". 

The Chemise and drawers are next. This chemise goes under the corset. It serves many purposes, but the three main ones are:

Protect the corset from sweat 

Protect the body from the corset, keep it from rubbing and chafing

When wearing unlined sheer dresses, it worked with the corset cover to maintain modesty. 

 Pantaloons served a difference purpose, they added an extra layer of modesty, and kept the legs and other bits covered. Sometimes the chemise is tucked into the pantaloons. During the regency era, aka pre-pantaloon era, women who tripped in the flimsy empire style dresses would risk revealing their most intimate parts. The pantaloons helped with this, even if they were more often than not crotchless to allow ease of toileting.

Photo uploaded to pintererst by Alain Truong. 

The stockings and footwear are another point of great importance. An unclothed ankle was considered naked, and therefore immodest. As long as the ankle was covered, it could be seen, such as when lifting the skirt up to walk, or when tucking the skirt into the waistband for work. 

This one is just thrown in because I am such a beautiful Elegant woman who clearly has the grace capabilities of a well trained pickle lol. Just showing off to all the victorian guys searching for wife that I have all my teeth! (hint hint hint)