19th Century Women's Undergarments
The woman at right (1847) wears a chemise, corset, petticoat and drawers. It is possible to unlace yourself!
Chemise:
#1800L01
cotton $35
linen $55
silk $60
+$10 ruffles
The chemise is the basic women's undergarment from the Middle Ages to 1900. It protects your skin from the corset, and the corset from oils in your skin. In the 1800's the chemise went through several changes, conforming to the styles of the time. It has a fitted yoke, with or without trim and short cap sleeves or wide straps. It usually ended at or just below the knee.
Drawers:
#1800L02
cotton $30
linen $35
silk $40
Drawers can be joined for looks and modern sensibilities or split for historic accuracy and ease of personal needs (going to the Loo with hoops is tricky when you have to pull stuff up and down, and still hold your skirts out of the way).
Regency Petticoat:
#1800L03
Silk or satin
Starts at $55
1790’s - 1820’s The Regency petticoat is a full slip-dress worn over the corset and under the gown to preserve some modesty with the clingy, lightweight and sheer fabrics worn in this era.
The woman at right is wearing a chemise and short corset, and is putting the petticoat on over both. (1810)
Chemisette / Camisole:
#1800L04
Wool, cotton or linen.
Starts at $35
A chemisette is a small false top to cover the neckline and bust, much like a partlet or dickey, and can be worn for any year in the 1800’s. It is worn over the corset/stays, but under the dress.
The Camisole, is a mid to late 1800's top, similar to a sleeveless shirt. It is worn under the corset, in place of the chemise. Camisoles can be attached to drawers. They often had built-in jabots or decorative lace fronts.
Corsets:
Short bust corset:
#1800L06
Starts at $50
1800-1830 This is the predecessor of the modern bra. It is made from one or two pieces that cross over your bust, wrap around your ribs and tie in front. It has shoulder straps and is fully boned or corded. This version is perfect for slight figures that still require support.
*see Regency Petticoat illustration above for a short bust corset.
Corded Stays:
#1800L05
Starts at $200
1790 - 1830 Corded stays can be ½ or full bust with shoulder straps, and end just below the hip. They provide a lot of support, are very beautiful and comfortable. There is a removable busk in front to separate the bust, they are lightly boned at the sides and lace in back. Perfect for full-figured women dressing in Regency and Romantic styles.
This is not a corset, it holds & supports but does not constrict at all.
Can also be quilted.
*Any style of stays or corsets can be corded, they tend to be more comfortable and allow a greater range of motion.
½ bust corset:
#1800L07
Starts at $175 lightly boned
Starts at $200 fully boned
1830-1900 This corset can be lightly or fully boned, is back lacing and has a busk in front. It reduces your waist and hips and supports your bust. The corset ends at the nipple line creating a very smooth transition between flesh and garment. Specific styles will depend on region and year.
(see the photos below for 1/2 bust corsets).
Underbust corset:
#1800L08
Starts at $50
1870-1900 Underbust corsets can be worn under gowns or over them as a decorative belt. They slightly reduce and re-shape your waist.
Petticoats, Hoops & Bustles:
Petticoat:
#1800L09
cotton $40
linen $55
Silk $60
Drawstring or fitted waistband petticoat. The fitted waistband closes with a button or hook & eyes, it can also have hook & eyes that attach to the inside of your bodice. Regency petticoats have suspenders and either button or hook to the bodice.
Corded Petticoat:
#1800L10
$50 cotton or muslin
$75 lightly corded linen
$100 heavily corded linen
1820’s - 1890’s Our lightly corded petticoats have 12 rows of 1/4" cotton cording. Heavily corded petticoats have 18” of cording at the bottom, 12” in the center and 8” at the top for maximum skirt support.
To starch your corded petticoat, soak it in a warm starch solution, roll it up in a plastic bag overnight and either let it dry around a barrel or iron the heck out of it till dry. Spray starch works well too.
The petticoat pictured here is un starched, but you can see how much volume it adds even without stiffening.
Hoop Petticoat:
#1800L11
90" 120"
$50
$100 with ruffles
150" 200"
$80
$150 with ruffles
1850’s - 1870’s This 4 hoop petticoat comes in 90” 120” 150” and 200”.
Size and shapes vary depending on your needs.
Drop waist hoop petticoats create slimmer hips and reduce bulk when wearing overskirts. Antebellum hooped petticoats flair out from the waist making it look much smaller. The hoop pictured here is a drop waist.
All hoops ship "some assembly required" to avoid freight shipping rates.
Bustle:
#1800L12
Starts at $25
1820’s & 1870’s - 1900 Bustles come in many shapes and sizes. Padded pillow bustles are comfortable and easiest to clean. Wire bustles can help you achieve amazing changes in your figure... and they're all fun to bounce around in. Bustle styles will depend on the year and garment you are wearing.
19th Century Women's Undergarments
The woman at right (1847) wears a chemise, corset, petticoat and drawers. It is possible to unlace yourself!
Chemise:
#1800L01
cotton $35
linen $55
silk $60
+$10 ruffles
The chemise is the basic women's undergarment from the Middle Ages to 1900. It protects your skin from the corset, and the corset from oils in your skin. In the 1800's the chemise went through several changes, conforming to the styles of the time. It has a fitted yoke, with or without trim and short cap sleeves or wide straps. It usually ended at or just below the knee.
Drawers:
#1800L02
cotton $30
linen $35
silk $40
Drawers can be joined for looks and modern sensibilities or split for historic accuracy and ease of personal needs (going to the Loo with hoops is tricky when you have to pull stuff up and down, and still hold your skirts out of the way).
Regency Petticoat:
#1800L03
Silk or satin
Starts at $55
1790’s - 1820’s The Regency petticoat is a full slip-dress worn over the corset and under the gown to preserve some modesty with the clingy, lightweight and sheer fabrics worn in this era.
The woman at right is wearing a chemise and short corset, and is putting the petticoat on over both. (1810)
Chemisette / Camisole:
#1800L04
Wool, cotton or linen.
Starts at $35
A chemisette is a small false top to cover the neckline and bust, much like a partlet or dickey, and can be worn for any year in the 1800’s. It is worn over the corset/stays, but under the dress.
The Camisole, is a mid to late 1800's top, similar to a sleeveless shirt. It is worn under the corset, in place of the chemise. Camisoles can be attached to drawers. They often had built-in jabots or decorative lace fronts.
Corsets:
Short bust corset:
#1800L06
Starts at $50
1800-1830 This is the predecessor of the modern bra. It is made from one or two pieces that cross over your bust, wrap around your ribs and tie in front. It has shoulder straps and is fully boned or corded. This version is perfect for slight figures that still require support.
*see Regency Petticoat illustration above for a short bust corset.
Corded Stays:
#1800L05
Starts at $200
1790 - 1830 Corded stays can be ½ or full bust with shoulder straps, and end just below the hip. They provide a lot of support, are very beautiful and comfortable. There is a removable busk in front to separate the bust, they are lightly boned at the sides and lace in back. Perfect for full-figured women dressing in Regency and Romantic styles.
This is not a corset, it holds & supports but does not constrict at all.
Can also be quilted.
*Any style of stays or corsets can be corded, they tend to be more comfortable and allow a greater range of motion.
½ bust corset:
#1800L07
Starts at $175 lightly boned
Starts at $200 fully boned
1830-1900 This corset can be lightly or fully boned, is back lacing and has a busk in front. It reduces your waist and hips and supports your bust. The corset ends at the nipple line creating a very smooth transition between flesh and garment. Specific styles will depend on region and year.
(see the photos below for 1/2 bust corsets).
Underbust corset:
#1800L08
Starts at $50
1870-1900 Underbust corsets can be worn under gowns or over them as a decorative belt. They slightly reduce and re-shape your waist.
Petticoats, Hoops & Bustles:
Petticoat:
#1800L09
cotton $40
linen $55
Silk $60
Drawstring or fitted waistband petticoat. The fitted waistband closes with a button or hook & eyes, it can also have hook & eyes that attach to the inside of your bodice. Regency petticoats have suspenders and either button or hook to the bodice.
Corded Petticoat:
#1800L10
$50 cotton or muslin
$75 lightly corded linen
$100 heavily corded linen
1820’s - 1890’s Our lightly corded petticoats have 12 rows of 1/4" cotton cording. Heavily corded petticoats have 18” of cording at the bottom, 12” in the center and 8” at the top for maximum skirt support.
To starch your corded petticoat, soak it in a warm starch solution, roll it up in a plastic bag overnight and either let it dry around a barrel or iron the heck out of it till dry. Spray starch works well too.
The petticoat pictured here is un starched, but you can see how much volume it adds even without stiffening.
Hoop Petticoat:
#1800L11
90" 120"
$50
$100 with ruffles
150" 200"
$80
$150 with ruffles
1850’s - 1870’s This 4 hoop petticoat comes in 90” 120” 150” and 200”.
Size and shapes vary depending on your needs.
Drop waist hoop petticoats create slimmer hips and reduce bulk when wearing overskirts. Antebellum hooped petticoats flair out from the waist making it look much smaller. The hoop pictured here is a drop waist.
All hoops ship "some assembly required" to avoid freight shipping rates.
Bustle:
#1800L12
Starts at $25
1820’s & 1870’s - 1900 Bustles come in many shapes and sizes. Padded pillow bustles are comfortable and easiest to clean. Wire bustles can help you achieve amazing changes in your figure... and they're all fun to bounce around in. Bustle styles will depend on the year and garment you are wearing.