Comparing Victorian Skirt Supports: Corded, Tucked And Quilted Petticoats

Victorian Petticoats Before After Skirt Supports

In the 1840s and 1850s prior to the invention of the crinoline, dome-shaped or bell-shaped skirts were fashionable. So I thought it’d be fun to make a comparison of the different Victorian petticoats, which I’ve sewn over the years, to see which underskirts would produce the best dome-shape.

I’m comparing my four unstarched cotton petticoats, a starched and tucked petticoat, a quilted and a corded petticoat. I’m always wearing the same blue skirt over the underskirts so the shape is easier to see. I’m also wearing the same typical mid-Victorian underwear under the petticoats.

Comparing Victorian Skirt Supports: Corded, Tucked And Quilted Petticoats

In the picture above I’m wearing my four unstarched cotton petticoats and my starched and tucked petticoat.

Comparing Victorian Skirt Supports: Corded, Tucked And Quilted Petticoats

Here I’m just wearing the four cotton petticoats, this is what I’m usually wearing under my Victorian dresses.

Comparing Victorian Skirt Supports: Corded, Tucked And Quilted Petticoats

My quilted petticoat.

Comparing Victorian Skirt Supports: Corded, Tucked And Quilted Petticoats

My quilted, and tucked petticoat over it.

Comparing Victorian Skirt Supports: Corded, Tucked And Quilted Petticoats

The corded petticoat doesn’t make a round dome-shape, and I find it uncomfortable to wear because it’s so stiff.

Comparing Victorian Skirt Supports: Corded, Tucked And Quilted Petticoats

The corded with the tucked petticoat. This produced the largest dome-shape.

For a better comparison I’ve just worn one or two underskirts, but in the Victorian era more petticoats were worn together to get the fashionable poufy skirt shape.

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