Pre-cage crinolines

[motozulli]

This is a question about pre-cage crinolines, but I think it is on-topic because it is something all women would have worn prior to 1857.

This costumer, who normally does a very respectable job of research, writes several times that crinolines were made with several petticoats attached to one waistband.

http://www.demodecouture.com/crinoline/

I've never heard of this before and want to know if anyone knows of documentation for it?

Thanks,
Alaina

[ElizabethClark]

From a laundering/pressing standpoint, it becomes unweildy. I think the author was choosing to do a combined-waistband item for costuming effect and easier dressing, rather than full accuracy, or perhaps I'm misreading, and attributing later-era techniques to a statement about 30's petticoats?

I've not personally found pre-hoop information to indicate multiple petticoats on one foundation yoke or waistband. It would seem to complicate things too much, and reduce flexibility in the wardrobe.

Has anyone else come across a mention or two of multiple underskirts on one band?

[Carolann Schmitt]

Alaina -

I've not found any documentation for this practice, nor have I seen any original petticoats with this construction. I'd also be interested in hearing from anyone who has.

Regards,

[albrandon]

Alaina,

I have been researching original nineteenth century clothing for 10+ years now and have never come across anything original garment or documentation for crinolines like this. Although construction would have required slightly less material for such a piece, I find it highly improbable that any woman would have wanted to own such an impossibly complicated item. I have seen a couple of "costume" garments constructed in this manner for stage effect, but I would have to say that this form of construction, if at all used in the nineteenth century, would have been extremely rare.