Medium: Striped polished cotton

Date: c.1890

Country: USA

Credit: Gift of Cora Ginsburg

Fashionable women wore layers of petticoats, many of which were made from plain white fabrics. Brightly colored petticoats began to appear during the 1860s, as synthetic dyes became widespread. These vivid styles were often worn over more subdued examples, since the topmost petticoat might be glimpsed at the hem of the wearer’s skirt as she moved.

Object Number: 82.34.6