MelMathis
One of the presentations/demonstrations they gave was on womans fashions of the day. I also thought it would be "fun" to dress like that. But after seeing what all they wore, there is no way!!!. One of the ladies who gave the demo said she was dressed "light" for the day due to the heat so she only had 4 layers on. They normally started with wool socks and shoes - these had to go on first because with the hooped skirts they couldn't reach their feet to put them on last. Then came a chemise, and pantaloons (long legged split crotch undies) - don't get excited boys, that was necessary because when the ladies were out, with all of the hoops for the skirt and other clothing items they couldn't get to the underwear to get them down if they had to go to the "ladies room" so they had to just squat over the "receptical

. Then came a long under gown with short sleeves, a corsette, a hooped slip that for every day use had 4 hoops, but for dressier wear, they would have one with 5 or 6 hoops, then a long sleeved, high neck dress. The lady said that they seldom washed the outer dress

because it never actually touched the skin. The cuffs of the sleeves and collar were just basted on so that they could be removed and washed if they got dirty and then basted back onto the dress. It was so hot that day, I was in a pair of capri's and a lightweight top and I was roasting. I could not imagine wearing all that stuff, but I guess if you were used to dressing like that all the time it may not have been so bad.
So, there is your history lesson for the day. Hope you enjoyed it.
