Petticoat

A petticoat is a skirt worn under a dress.

It can help a dress keep a pretty shape. It can also keep a person warm.

Long ago, people wore them to be seen. They were often made of silk or cotton. Some had pretty sewing on them.

In the 1850s, skirts were very big. People wore petticoats to make them look full.

In Japan, people wear a similar skirt. They wear it under a kimono. It is often made of white silk.

These skirts have been around for a long time.

They are a special part of clothing history.

A petticoat is a skirt worn under a dress.

It helps a dress keep a nice shape. It can also keep a person warm. In the past, many people wore them to be seen. They were often made of silk or cotton. Some had pretty sewing on them.

In the 1850s, skirts were very big. People used petticoats to make them look full.

Later, in the 1870s, they had extra ruffles in the back. This was to match a style called a bustle. In Japan, people wear a similar skirt. They wear a nagajuban under a kimono. This is a type of undergarment. It is often made of white silk. In South Asia, people wear inner skirts. These are usually long to reach the ankles. Petticoats have been part of fashion for a long time. They show how people like to dress and feel.

One designer even made a skirt from a red flannel petticoat.

A petticoat is a type of clothing worn under a skirt or a dress.

People use them for different reasons. They can provide warmth or give a skirt a beautiful shape. In many places, they are called an underskirt or a slip. Some people call a full version a petticoat. The materials used are often soft or light. Common choices include cotton, silk, or tulle.

How these garments work depends on the era. In the 1850s, they helped skirts look very full. By the 1860s, women wore white cotton petticoats with lace borders. In the 1870s, the style changed to match the bustle. This meant petticoats had extra ruffles, called flounces, near the back. Some even had slits so women could reach pockets inside. These small details helped the clothing fit a person's life.

The history of the petticoat goes back many centuries. The name comes from a Middle English word meaning "a small coat." In the 14th century, both men and women wore undercoats called "petticotes." By the 1500s, wearing them as undergarments was common in England. In the 18th century, they were often part of the main outfit. They were made of simple or highly decorated fabrics. These skirts were meant to be seen by everyone.

Different cultures have their own versions of this clothing. In South Asia, inner skirts are often long to the ankle. In Japan, a garment called a nagajuban is worn under a kimono.

This nagajuban is a type of underwear. It is often made of white silk. Sometimes a small protector called a han-eri is sewn to the collar. This helps protect the silk from the skin.

Fashion designers have often found new ideas in these old items. Sybil Connolly was a famous designer who found inspiration in Ireland. She saw a woman in Connemara wearing a red flannel petticoat. She bought that same fabric to make a quilted evening skirt. This skirt was a huge success in New York in 1953. Even today, the way a petticoat moves can inspire new art.

A petticoat is a versatile article of clothing worn beneath a skirt or a dress.

While the term has changed over time, its primary functions remain consistent. People use petticoats to provide warmth or to create a specific shape for their outer garments. In some regions, these items are known as underskirts or slips. In the United States, a "half slip" is a common term for a lighter version. In British English, the word can describe a light, loose undergarment that hangs from the shoulders or the waist.

The construction and purpose of a petticoat depend heavily on the materials used. Most are crafted from cotton, silk, or tulle. The specific way a garment is worn dictates its name and structure. For example, a chemise is a garment that hangs from the shoulders. In contrast, modern American usage typically restricts the term "petticoat" to garments that hang from the waist. The thickness and volume of the fabric allow the wearer to achieve a desired silhouette. This is especially true for styles that require significant bulk to support heavy outer layers.

Historically, the petticoat was not always a hidden undergarment. In the 14th century, both men and women wore undercoats called "petticotes." The name originates from the Middle English term for a "small coat." By the 16th century, the practice of wearing them as undergarments was established in England. However, from the 16th to the 19th centuries, many petticoats were considered part of the exterior outfit. These were often made of matching or contrasting textiles. They could be simple or feature highly decorative embroidery.

Fashion trends throughout the 18th and 19th centuries caused the petticoat to change constantly. In the 18th century, petticoats were an integral part of a gown and were meant to be seen. Some even featured slits or holes so women could reach pockets located inside. As styles shifted in the early 19th century, dresses became narrower. This led to the use of "invisible petticoats." However, the popularity of the waltz in the 1820s revived full-skirted gowns. During the Victorian era, petticoats were used to provide bulk. By the mid-19th century, they were often worn over hoops known as crinolines. In the 1870s, they developed flounces, or decorative ruffles, at the back to accommodate the bustle style.

Different cultures have developed their own unique versions of this garment. In South Asia, petticoats are often called inner skirts or inskirts. These are rarely shorter than ankle length and are always worn from the waist down. In Japan, a garment called a nagajuban serves a similar purpose under a kimono. The nagajuban resembles a shorter kimono and is often made of white silk. Historically, these were frequently made of red silk. To protect the garment, a half-collar called a han-eri is often sewn to the collar.

Fashion designers have frequently drawn inspiration from traditional petticoats. In 1953, the designer Sybil Connolly traveled to Connemara, Ireland. There, she observed a woman wearing a traditional red flannel petticoat. This sight inspired her first international fashion collection in New York. She purchased a bolt of the same flannel and created a quilted evening skirt. The skirt was a major success at her fashion show.

This demonstrates how a simple functional item can influence high fashion.

The term "petticoat" has also appeared in literature and political phrases. The term "petticoat government" has been used to describe women managing domestic or government affairs. Depending on the context, this phrase has been used positively or to imply a threat to male-led governance. For instance, the writer Washington Irving used the phrase in his 1819 work, "Rip Van Winkle." The term has appeared in various novels, such as those by Frances Trollope and Emma Orczy. It has even been used in film titles, ranging from comedies to political satires.