A hoop skirt is a type of structured undergarment, worn underneath a skirt or dress to create a wider and fuller shape, popular during the late 19th century. The garments allowed women to create the shape and volume that was fashionable at the time. Hoop skirts created a distinctive feature of fashion during the Victorian era and continue to influence the shape and structure of dresses today. Hoop skirts were first introduced to the United States by David Hough, Jr. in 1846. These were also the first shaping undergarment to be worn by every woman of every social class. The hoop skirt originated as a mechanism for holding long skirts away from one's legs, to stay cooler in hot climates, and to keep from tripping on the skirt during various activities.
In the mid-19th century, the fashionable silhouette for women was a small waist with large, dome-shaped skirts. More and more petticoats were added to make the skirts appear even larger. When the circular crinoline came out in 1856, it was a revelation not only of technology but of convenience for women. The crinoline supported the weight of the numerous skirts and allowed the woman to wear fewer petticoats while still achieving the desired silhouette. The invention of the sewing machine allowed crinolines to be mass-produced at a lower cost, thus making the crinoline available for all classes.
cst_00518-2 > Hoop skirt, Silk, 95 cm length, 1958
This item is not currently exhibited, but you can see many more related exhibits on the four floors of the CVAR.
