When I titled this blog post, I wasn’t lying. Petticoats have a fascinating history. Once worn on the outside of a dress, as a decorative skirt, they evolved to become undergarments with a dual purpose. The first was to add an extra layer of warmth. The other…to disguise the shape of the legs.
When we think of a petticoat, we tend to first imagine the underskirt, and that is what they evolved to. Some petticoats, however, had bodices in them, which makes it difficult to tell in some historical drawings if a woman is wearing a chemise or a petticoat. The chemise was the first layer worn next to the skin, to protect the clothing from oils in the skin. It makes sense, when laundry was a difficult thing, and many fabrics, especially for a fancy dress, would be impossible to wash.
In the 1840s, the number of petticoats worn increased, primarily to bring fullness to the dress. On a standard day, two were worn, however as time went on, a woman might wear far more, as many as six or seven! The fabrics of a petticoat were usually cotton or muslin or flannel.
While many petticoats were simple straight, some had a flounce, or a bit of a bustle build in. I won’t lie…I’ve always wondered how comfortable that would be, to sit while wearing such a thing.
Interestingly, it wasn’t just a female who wore the petticoats, but the dolls of little girls as well! Dolls wore replicas of the clothing that women and girls wore, so a doll might also have multiple petticoats.
So, what brought to mind petticoats for my post today? Well, in just a few days, I’m releasing Westward Dreams, and in it, my main character Mary Clinton is a skilled seamstresses who makes matching dresses for little girls and their dolls. Hence, my research into if dolls wore the same as their owners!
I’d love to give one reader an ebook of Westward Dreams. The catch is, you have to wait until it releases on Friday before I can send it to you! 😉
To have a chance at winning, simply read the blurb, and tell me something you think might happen in this story. Here’s the book description.
Mary Clinton arrives out west with dreams of marrying her sweetheart—only to discover he didn’t wait for her. Stranded and heartbroken, she stumbles upon a terrified child wandering alone and escorts her home, where she’s mistaken for the girl’s new governess. With nowhere else to go, Mary accepts the role, and the chance to rebuild her crumbled future.
When Simon Alexander returns from his business trip, he’s immediately suspicious. He never hired a governess—and after losing his wife, he’s vowed to protect his daughter from any threat. But his little girl has already fallen in love with the mysterious Mary, and Simon realizes he desperately needs help raising her. Against his better judgment, he lets her stay, despite his doubts.
As Mary finds purpose in her new role and Simon’s guarded heart begins to thaw, an unexpected attraction blooms between them. But when the man Mary came west for returns to threaten her, everything she’s tentatively built threatens to crumble. Can Mary prove to herself she’s worthy of a chance at love? And can Simon learn to trust again—before he loses the only woman who’s made him want to?
I’ll choose one winner, and once you contact me, I’ll be sure you get your ebook copy on Friday!
Fascinating!
I remember wearing a crinoline-style petticoat under my prom dress and under my wedding dress. I’m glad I didn’t have to wear them all the time.
Yes, I imagine especially in summer they would be warm!
I’ve watched some online videos of the many different layers women used to wear for modesty and to add shape. Thank goodness this isn’t the case any more. Thank you for your fascinating article. I’ve enjoyed it.
I’m glad too! I’ve seen some of those, and all the padding bits they’d tie around themselves just doesn’t look comfortable.
Simon saves Mary from being kidnapped by the man she came west for.
Ohh that might happen!
Mary finds love again.
I hope so, for Mary’s sake!
Sounds like an amazing story
Thank you!
Simon realizes that he needs a woman’s love as much as his daughter does.
Aww that would be so sweet if so!
the supposed husband is after $$ to keep her secret!
I wouldn’t be surprised if something like that happened…
I remember wearing what we called a can-can skirt under a full dress. It was a 1/2 slip with netting from the hips down – very uncomfortable.
Ohh I bet that was! Netting is often scratchy!
The “sweetheart” she came west to marry will try to ruin her reputation by spreading rumors and Simon, the normally calm and quiet businessman, will deck the cad and then bring him before the town to tell the truth and apologize!
Ohh!! I love that so much!!
She provides the child with lots of clothing for her self and the doll. I am sure also that Simon can help her.
I bet he could too!
The child is kidnapped by the man Mary came west for and the only clue they find is a snippet of a petticoat that Mary made for the child.
Now that would be a plot twist!
The guy she was supposed to marry can’t get to the girl but does manage to get ahold of her doll.
That would be quite a story!
I’m sure Simon is going to step up to the plate and save Mary’s reputation! I’m sure glad we don’t have to wear layers of petticoats today!! I guess they’re really the precursor to slips, though, and I still wear those, though only one at a time!
I agree. And a slip has it’s place, but thankfully it’s optional for the most part!
I think Mary will fall in love with the little girl that she finds and becomes a governess for and I also think that Mary will find an inner strength that she didn’t realize she had as she is forced to face the many obstacles.
I think that would make for a lovely story if so!
Good Wednesday Afternoon Sarah,
Remember wearing a hoop skirt under a bridesmaid’s dress when I was in a friend’s wedding years ago.
I think the man she originally came out to meet is a criminal running from the law and is blackmailing her for money to get away.
Thank you,
Julie Bullock
Ohh now that’s an interesting idea!
Well, obviously Simon and Mary fall in love and get married. That other man has nerve showing back up and threatening Mary. Men! hehe
The petticoat history is very interesting. Seven petticoats! Oh my!
LOL! Yes, men, indeed!
When her sweetheart returns wanting her to leave with him, she refuses. He gets angry and force her to leave. The little girl she is watching starts crying and is left alone. A neighbor finds her and gets the father. He gets his daughter to tell him what happened. He tracks them down, confronts the man who refuses to let her leave. He then goes to the sheriff and the two of them track him down. When he again refuses to release her and pulls a gun, she fights him. He is overpowered by the men and is taken into custody.. She and the dad return to the house to be greeted by a very happy little girl.
That’s a fantastic sounding story!
I think that Simon might have a confrontation with the man who Mary was supposed to marry.
If so, it would be a good one!
Mary decides she is happier now than she would have been with the man she came to marry since he was so uncaring as to run off before she arrived. She refuses to leave with him when he demands she go away with him and he threatens to ruin her reputation if she don’t. When he tries to drag her out of the house she screams and grabs the nearest thing to her, an iron frying pan, and is prepared to use it, when Simon, arriving home from work, hears the commotion and rushes in and knocks the other man to the floor. The man scrambles to get up and out the door before he is hit again. Simon and Mary laugh together at the running man and suddenly realize how much they mean to each and how much she loves his little girl and wants to become a real family.
Now, that sounds like a great story!
Simon trusts again
I sure hope he will!
Despite knowing his kid loves his so called new Governess Simon can’t get past his suspicions and tells Mary she must get out but with nowhere to go she asks Simon for the chance to prove herself and Simon reluctantly and very hesitantly he finally agrees and Mary with help of Simon’s kid teaches Simon to Love again and Simon and Mary eventually become Husband & Wife and Mary gets pregnant with triplets [3 more Girls] & live happy ever after
Oh my gosh! Triplets! I love it!