Victorian Era undergarments

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Mon June 6th, 2011, 12:49 am

I want to find a book on undergarments for both men and women. Does anyone know of a book that has been published that would be helpful?

I don't want one that spans the entire history of the world.

MLE (Emily Cotton) · Post by **MLE (Emily Cotton)** » Mon June 6th, 2011, 2:25 am

try the 1890 Sear's Catalogue. That should do ya.

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Mon June 6th, 2011, 9:55 am

No, I want more explanation. Plus I need 1850s-1900

LoveHistory · Post by **LoveHistory** » Mon June 6th, 2011, 6:22 pm

Dover has a number of pictorials, many of which will include explanations of the fashions pictured. Here's one that specifically mentions such explanations: Victorian and Edwardian Fashion: a Photographic Survey.

Found some interesting--and expensive--things on Barnes and Noble. Victorians Unbuttoned: Registered Designs for Clothing, Their Makers and Wearers, 1839-1900 by Sarah Levitt. This one is slightly less costly on Amazon.

With Grace and Favour: Victorian and Edwardian Fashion in America by Otto C. Thieme; Ann Cotter, editor.

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Mon June 6th, 2011, 8:31 pm

I have the dover book but I find it completely useless. Too many words not enough pictures, and I don't remember undergarments, but I'll check it out again.

the other books are way outta the pricerange with no summary or pics...eh..gots to be careful about that.

oldhousejunkie · Post by **oldhousejunkie** » Tue June 14th, 2011, 6:38 pm

What specifically are you trying to find out?

Victorian era undergarments were in flux if you go by the real definition of "Victorian." You're basically looking at (roughly) 1836 to 1901. In that time span they went from horsehair crinolines and whale bone corsets to steel cage crinolines and steel ribbed corsets to steel cage bustles (essentially) and finally to hardly anything but petticoats at the turn of the century.

Do you have any costume museums nearby? Too bad you're not in London because the V&A is the best for their collection of 19th century fashion (including undergarments.) I just took a look at their website, and they have excellent information online plus real life examples.

http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/0-9/19th-century-fashion/

Hope this helps!

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Tue June 14th, 2011, 10:58 pm

Thanks for the reply.

I actually want it all.

I'm greedy like that.

I did notice that at the historical fiction conference there is a panel on undergarments.

Miss Moppet · Post by **Miss Moppet** » Fri June 17th, 2011, 1:12 am

Two good books on women's undergarments are:

Norah Waugh, Corsets and Crinolines
Valerie Steele, The Corset: A Cultural History

I'm not sure about men's undergarments but there's also Lucy Johnston, Nineteenth Century Fashion in Detail, from the V&A Fashion in Detail series - I think this would probably feature some undergarments but I'm not certain.

Another resource would be C19 reenactors. One I know of is Lyn Marie Cunliffe at Abigails Ateliers who recreates 19th century clothing and I've also found The Dress Diaries.

I also had a look on YouTube and found:

Victorian Secrets - uploaded by the Nevada State Museum - parts twoandt threehave a really interesting demonstration of a woman getting dressed in an 1860s outfit from underwear to bonnet. It shows that it was actually possible for a woman to dress herself, although it must have been much easier with a maid.

Victorian Underwear- similar thing, less detailed, the crinoline shape dates from a little later when the crinoline had begun to flatten at the front.

Victorian Petticoats and Drawers- Victorian girls' underwear

Dressing up 1860s Style

Seems to be easier to find out about women's underwear than men's!

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Fri June 17th, 2011, 2:56 am

awesome thanks.