Crinoline is the name given to an article of women's attire, originally made of horse-hair, used for the purpose of distending the dress. Prior to the invention of Crinoline, fashion dictated during the early 19th century that women should occupy a lot of room, and that their skirts should be extended outwards by the wearing of masses of petticoats beneath. Crinoline first appeared in dress in 1854 and was essentially a wire frame which hung from the waist, preserving a swollen appearance of over-skirt. In ballrooms, crinoline gave the lady dancers great grace, hanging from the waist as it did it allowed great freedom of movement of the legs and the skirt to flow. Crinoline was also dangerous. Many women were entangled in traffic or blown over cliffs and a campaign was undertaken by reformers, the magazine Punch included, to dissuade women from wearing it. Research Crinoline
Abbreviations
Costume
Research Crinoline