Women only wearing white because it was pure and they didn't want to be thought
of as a floosie is, I think, a modern romantic view, not actual history.
Underwear was white because the period laundry practices involved very hot
water and what sense does it make to have colorful undies if you are laundering
them in a way that they would fade right away. White could be kept white with
very little trouble.
Further, in the 19th century the idea of having red wool flannel near your
body was thought of as healthful so you will see the occasional red flannel
undergarment. I've even seen an original corded corset of red flannel dated to
the 1860's. Women also wore quilted petticoats and wool flannel petticoats in
many colors. These were worn over the chemise drawers and cotton petticoat so
they didn't require laundering and could be colorful. You will also see
references to working women wearing colored petticoats over their white ones
while doing heavy work. The colored petticoat working like and apron to
protect the nicer ones underneath. Colored petticoats can also be seen under
sport dresses where the longer skirt has been drawn up exposing the shorter
colored petticoat. That was the function of the popular balmoral petticoat.
Maggie H
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
-----Original Message-----
From: "R Lloyd Mitchell" <[email protected]>
Sender: [email protected]
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:22:58
To: Historical Costume<[email protected]>
Reply-To: Historical Costume <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [h-cost] 1860s Mourning and Underpinnings
penny,? as you know, I am away from home and my referrences, but Cunnington has
severel citations about underwear in general and?I think at least one I have
seen re mourning.? Since (fashionable) women were just beginning to wear
drawers and with the layers of chemise, corset and corset cover, etc, the color
white was the only acceptable color for a Lady; other colors and trims that
adorned the female form were only worn by the demi-monde or women who did not
know better. Ehite stood for purity and respectability.
It is only in the last quarter of the 19th c that hints of color began to be
used. I too have never seen a black corset before...well, almost the
1950's...except in films or on the stage (and we all know what kind of woman
would stoop to such seductive measures).
Underwear was not to be seen...so for a woman in mourning to appear in anything
that might be seen...off color...would be strange. There are referrences I
believe that describe even Victoria wore White!
kathleen?
-----Original Message-----
From: <[email protected]>
Sent 1/18/2012 5:24:03 PM
To: "h-costume" <[email protected]>
Subject: [h-cost] 1860s Mourning and UnderpinningsIf a woman is in mourning
during the 1860s, were her underpinnings black?
Penny Ladnier, owner
The Costume Gallery Websites
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