th th Until the early 19 century, a corset Queen Victoria's standards of propriety Until the early 19 century, a corset Queen Victoria's standards of propriety and linen chemise was all the underwear a were so stringent that she soon ensured and linen chemise was all the underwear a were so stringent that she soon ensured woman thought necessary or even that the fashion for underpants would woman thought necessary or even that the fashion for underpants would desirable. It wasn't until the turn of the become a staple article of clothing in every desirable. It wasn't until the turn of the become a staple article of clothing in every the turn of the century, when the use of woman's wardrobe. the turn of the century, when the use of woman's wardrobe. very light fabrics became popular, that Pantalettes, an adaptation of men's very light fabrics became popular, that Pantalettes, an adaptation of men's women even considered wearing pantaloons, were the earliest style of women even considered wearing pantaloons, were the earliest style of underpants as a necessity for added underpants used by women. They were underpants as a necessity for added underpants used by women. They were warmth. When the crinoline was also called drawers because they were warmth. When the crinoline was also called drawers because they were introduced toward the middle of the composed of two separate leg sections introduced toward the middle of the composed of two separate leg sections century, its tendency to fly up at that were tied on at the waist with century, its tendency to fly up at that were tied on at the waist with inopportune moments created yet another drawstrings. Early on, these were inopportune moments created yet another drawstrings. Early on, these were need for underpants. considered a fashion accessory and were need for underpants. considered a fashion accessory and were decorated with frills and lace and allowed decorated with frills and lace and allowed to hang several inches below the hemline. to hang several inches below the hemline. By the middle of the century, drawers were By the middle of the century, drawers were connected at the waist, though the crotch connected at the waist, though the crotch was still left open. The loose style of the was still left open. The loose style of the garment, however, accommodated the garment, however, accommodated the opening and afforded a degree of modesty. opening and afforded a degree of modesty. Until the early 19th century, a corset Queen Victoria's standards of propriety Until the early 19th century, a corset Queen Victoria's standards of propriety and linen chemise was all the underwear a were so stringent that she soon ensured and linen chemise was all the underwear a were so stringent that she soon ensured woman thought necessary or even that the fashion for underpants would woman thought necessary or even that the fashion for underpants would desirable. It wasn't until the turn of the become a staple article of clothing in every desirable. It wasn't until the turn of the become a staple article of clothing in every the turn of the century, when the use of woman's wardrobe. the turn of the century, when the use of woman's wardrobe. very light fabrics became popular, that Pantalettes, an adaptation of men's very light fabrics became popular, that Pantalettes, an adaptation of men's women even considered wearing pantaloons, were the earliest style of women even considered wearing pantaloons, were the earliest style of underpants as a necessity for added underpants used by women. They were underpants as a necessity for added underpants used by women. They were warmth. When the crinoline was also called drawers because they were warmth. When the crinoline was also called drawers because they were introduced toward the middle of the composed of two separate leg sections introduced toward the middle of the composed of two separate leg sections century, its tendency to fly up at that were tied on at the waist with century, its tendency to fly up at that were tied on at the waist with inopportune moments created yet another drawstrings. Early on, these were inopportune moments created yet another drawstrings. Early on, these were need for underpants. considered a fashion accessory and were need for underpants. considered a fashion accessory and were decorated with frills and lace and allowed decorated with frills and lace and allowed to hang several inches below the hemline. to hang several inches below the hemline. By the middle of the century, drawers were By the middle of the century, drawers were connected at the waist, though the crotch connected at the waist, though the crotch was still left open. The loose style of the was still left open. The loose style of the garment, however, accommodated the garment, however, accommodated the opening and afforded a degree of modesty. opening and afforded a degree of modesty. By the 1870's, drawers became and By the 1870's, drawers became and “unmentionable” part of a woman's “unmentionable”In 18th century part ofAmerica a woman's hard wardrobe. It was no longer appropriate th wardrobe.work and It was industry no longer were appropriate the th to show off ones undergarments so they 19 Century to showorder off of ones the undergarments day and a girlsso they 19 Century were shortened to just below the knee. Underwear were petticoatsshortened to justreflected below the this knee. Underwear Despite this, many women still took pains Despitelifestyle. this, many To be women able still to tookcarry pains a to embellish their drawers with frills and to embellish their drawers with frills and lace much to the chagrin of those whe lacechild much or toan the arm chagrin load of ofthose laundry whe thought it a waste of materials. thoughtand step it a waste up into of materials. the house or to walk up a hill without Remarkable Women to Learn About: Remarkableneeding Womento pick to up Learn ones About: skirt, Dolly Madison, Queen Victoria, Jane Dollythe lengthMadison, of Queen the Victoria,petticoat Jane was Austen, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Austen,generally Susan cut B. Anthony, just a fewElizabeth inches Blackwell, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Louisa Blackwell, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Louisa May Alcott Mayabove Alcott the ankle. On the flip side, this dress length was also well suited for showing off ones “clocked” stockings and pretty metal shoe buckles ©2011 Shari Fuller, All Rights Reserved ©2011 Shari Fuller, All Rights Reserved By the 1870's, drawers became and By the 1870's, drawers became and th “unmentionable” part of a woman's “unmentionable”InIn 18 18th century century part ofAmerica America a woman's hard hard wardrobe. It was no longer appropriate 19th Century wardrobe.workwork and andIt was industry industry no longer were wereappropriate the the 19th Century to show off ones undergarments so they to showorderorder off of onesof the the undergarments day day and and a a girlsso girls they were shortened to just below the knee. were shortened to just below the knee. Underwear petticoatspetticoats reflected reflected this this Underwear Despite this, many women still took pains Despitelifestyle. this, many To be women able still to tookcarry pains a to embellish their drawers with frills and tolifestyle. embellish their To drawers be able with to frills carry and a lace much to the chagrin of those whe lacechildchild much or or toan an the arm arm chagrin load load of of thoseof laundry laundry whe thought it a waste of materials. thoughtandand step stepit a waste up up into ofinto materials. the the house house or or toto walk walk up up a a hill hill without without Remarkable Women to Learn About: Remarkableneedingneeding Womento to pick pick to up upLearn ones ones About: skirt, skirt, Dolly Madison, Queen Victoria, Jane Dolly Madison, Queen Victoria, Jane thethe length length of of the the petticoat petticoat was was Austen, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Austen,generally Susan cut B. Anthony, just a fewElizabeth inches Blackwell, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Louisa Blackwell,generally Laura cut Ingalls just Wilder, a few Louisa inches May Alcott Mayaboveabove Alcott the the ankle. ankle. On On the the flip flip side,side, this this dress dress length length was was also also wellwell suited suited for for showing showing off off onesones “clocked” “clocked” stockings stockings and and prettypretty metal metal shoe shoe buckles buckles ©2011 Shari Fuller, All Rights Reserved ©2011 Shari Fuller, All Rights Reserved.