Dressing a Lady – circa 1845

5 thoughts on “Dressing a Lady – circa 1845

  1. Jamie Copeland Hyde says:

    Thank you for this. Also working on a assembly. Have corded petticoat Have tucked. Petticoat working on flounced with organdy

  2. jodi adamson says:

    Hey,

    I was wondering if you could tell me the sequence of clothing for a lady around 1845. I’m trying to enter a contest and have to be authentic as possible. I can’t find anywhere that just lists the layers-pantalettes, chemise, corset etc. Thanks! Any help is much appreciated.

    • Jennifer Rosbrugh says:

      Chemise
      Drawers – most women were wearing them by the 1840s
      Stockings & either walking boots or slippers
      Long corset with hip & bust gussets
      3 to 6 Petticoats – underpetticoat, corded or quilted, ruffled, plain
      Skirt & Bodice or Dress if the two were sewn together
      Undersleeves
      Chemisette – optional and depending on style

      • Cora says:

        Jennifer,
        Do you know where I can purchase a pattern for the petticoats worn in 1845? I have an 1845 German dress that I would like to make accurate petticoats for.

        • Jennifer Rosbrugh says:

          Probably Period Impressions (google for vendors). Petticoats in the 1840s are fairly basic with not much need for a pattern besides measurements. You can cut three or four fabric panels (depending on fabric width), sew them together leaving a long, hemmed opening about 12″ long in one seam. Put in the hem and set the top onto a waistband with pleating or gathering (gathering was more common as it helped with the fashionable bell shape of the skirt). You’ll want two to five petticoats for a good silhouette. The bottom layer is generally a corded petticoat. Other petticoats can have deep and/or multiple ruffles to help with the silhouette.

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