Petticoat

Art Historical Context

Step into the elegant underlayers of 19th-century American fashion with this charming cotton petticoat from 1887. Crafted by an unknown artist, this garment hails from the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, generously gifted by Mrs. DeWitt Millhauser in 1946. As an quintessential piece of Victorian-era womenswear, it exemplifies the hidden architecture that shaped the silhouttes of the time. In the late 1880s, American women relied on petticoats like this one to provide modesty, fullness, and structure beneath their dresses. The shift from the exaggerated bustles of the early decade toward a more streamlined silhouette made layered undergarments essential for achieving graceful lines and volume at the hips. Made of cotton—a breathable, durable fabric ideal for everyday wear—this petticoat reflects the practical craftsmanship of American dressmaking, blending functionality with subtle refinement. Today, it offers a tactile glimpse into daily life, revealing how ordinary women navigated the rigid fashion standards of Gilded Age America. A testament to anonymous artistry, this piece underscores the Costume Institute's mission to preserve the intimate stories woven into our sartorial past.