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
$30 to sew + materials
cotton, linen, silk
+ $20 ruffles / puffs
+ $20 high decorative neck / fancy yolk.
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. Early shifts were much like 18th c. shifts. As of 1830 it can have 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
$30 to sew + materials
cotton, linen, silk
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). Semi-fitted waistbands with drawstrings, or fitted waistbands with buttons.
Regency Petticoat:
#1800L03
$55 to sew + materials
Silk, satin, cotton
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
start at $35 to sew + materials
prices will vary according to design
Wool, cotton or linen.
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 Stays / Transitional Stays:
#1800L06
$50 to sew + materials
Linen, cotton, silk
A: 1800-1830 Short Stays. 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.
B: 1790-1830 Transitional Stays. Shorter than the 18th c. stays, lightly boned or corded, tabbed or straight bottoms. Laces in front. Adjustable shoulder straps. Great for average size women who want a little extra support in their Regency era wardrobe.
Our short stays are boned with cane; metal and plastic boning are extra.
Bound with linen, cotton or silk
*see Regency Petticoat illustration above for a short bust corset.
Corded Stays:
#1800L05
$200 to sew + materials
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.
Cane boning; plastic & metal are extra. Machine buttonholes.
Free busk made from a cut yard stick, "real" busks are extra.
Can also be quilted, +$10/hr.
+ $10/hr. for hand-sewn eyelets.
*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
lightly boned
Starts at $200 + materials
fully boned
Starts at $250 + materials
+ $10 - $70 metal busk for front opening
+ $30 metal grommets
+ $10 & $10/hr. hand sewing for french eyelets
+$20 overbust gores with drawstrings (single layer of fabric).
1830-1900 This corset can be lightly or fully boned with metal boning. It is back lacing and has a busk in front. It reduces your waist, shapes your hips and supports your bust. The corset ends at the nipple line creating a very smooth transition between flesh and garment. Specific styles will vary depending on region and year; prices may vary depending on cut.
(see the photos below for 1/2 bust corsets).
Underbust corset:
#1800L08
$50 to sew + materials
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
$40 to sew + materials
cotton, linen, silk
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.
XS 20", S 30", M 40", L 50", XL 60"
Corded Petticoat:
#1800L10
$75 lightly corded cotton or muslin
$100 heavily corded cotton / lightly corded linen
$135 heavily corded linen
1820’s - 1890’s Our lightly corded petticoats have 12 rows of 1/4" cotton cording. Heavily corded petticoats have cording every 2" from top to bottom for maximum skirt support. Cording is on the outside & petticoats are made from a single layer of fabric. Our choice of fabric color, weight, etc.
If you want a double layer of fabric + $15 cotton & $45 for linen.
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"
$75 + materials
$150 with ruffles + materials
150" 200"
$100 + materials
$200 with ruffles + materials
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 an Antebellum with a bustle.
All hoops ship "some assembly required" to avoid freight shipping rates.
Bustle:
#1800L12
$25 - $80+ + materials
prices vary widely depending on style
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
$30 to sew + materials
cotton, linen, silk
+ $20 ruffles / puffs
+ $20 high decorative neck / fancy yolk.
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. Early shifts were much like 18th c. shifts. As of 1830 it can have 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
$30 to sew + materials
cotton, linen, silk
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). Semi-fitted waistbands with drawstrings, or fitted waistbands with buttons.
Regency Petticoat:
#1800L03
$55 to sew + materials
Silk, satin, cotton
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
start at $35 to sew + materials
prices will vary according to design
Wool, cotton or linen.
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 Stays / Transitional Stays:
#1800L06
$50 to sew + materials
Linen, cotton, silk
A: 1800-1830 Short Stays. 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.
B: 1790-1830 Transitional Stays. Shorter than the 18th c. stays, lightly boned or corded, tabbed or straight bottoms. Laces in front. Adjustable shoulder straps. Great for average size women who want a little extra support in their Regency era wardrobe.
Our short stays are boned with cane; metal and plastic boning are extra.
Bound with linen, cotton or silk
*see Regency Petticoat illustration above for a short bust corset.
Corded Stays:
#1800L05
$200 to sew + materials
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.
Cane boning; plastic & metal are extra. Machine buttonholes.
Free busk made from a cut yard stick, "real" busks are extra.
Can also be quilted, +$10/hr.
+ $10/hr. for hand-sewn eyelets.
*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
lightly boned
Starts at $200 + materials
fully boned
Starts at $250 + materials
+ $10 - $70 metal busk for front opening
+ $30 metal grommets
+ $10 & $10/hr. hand sewing for french eyelets
+$20 overbust gores with drawstrings (single layer of fabric).
1830-1900 This corset can be lightly or fully boned with metal boning. It is back lacing and has a busk in front. It reduces your waist, shapes your hips and supports your bust. The corset ends at the nipple line creating a very smooth transition between flesh and garment. Specific styles will vary depending on region and year; prices may vary depending on cut.
(see the photos below for 1/2 bust corsets).
Underbust corset:
#1800L08
$50 to sew + materials
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
$40 to sew + materials
cotton, linen, silk
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.
XS 20", S 30", M 40", L 50", XL 60"
Corded Petticoat:
#1800L10
$75 lightly corded cotton or muslin
$100 heavily corded cotton / lightly corded linen
$135 heavily corded linen
1820’s - 1890’s Our lightly corded petticoats have 12 rows of 1/4" cotton cording. Heavily corded petticoats have cording every 2" from top to bottom for maximum skirt support. Cording is on the outside & petticoats are made from a single layer of fabric. Our choice of fabric color, weight, etc.
If you want a double layer of fabric + $15 cotton & $45 for linen.
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"
$75 + materials
$150 with ruffles + materials
150" 200"
$100 + materials
$200 with ruffles + materials
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 an Antebellum with a bustle.
All hoops ship "some assembly required" to avoid freight shipping rates.
Bustle:
#1800L12
$25 - $80+ + materials
prices vary widely depending on style
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.