Petticoat

Art Historical Context

Step into the elegant world of late 19th-century American fashion with this charming *Petticoat* from 1895, from cotton by an unknown artist. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume, this undergarment exemplifies everyday attire from the Gilded Age, a period of rapid industrialization and shifting social norms in the United. Cotton, a widely available and breathable fabric, was a staple for such practical pieces, reflecting the era's emphasis on functionality alongside femininity. Petticoats like one played a crucial role in shaping the silken silhouettes of the time. By the 1890s,...