Culture- Fashion of the 1850s

The hoop was introduced in 1856, providing a well-supported, full skirt. These more fashionable dresses featured rounded, natural waistlines, generous skirts with gathers and knife pleats, and ruffles, flounces, lace, or fringe.

1850s dresses were still relatively conservative. Simple day dresses and corsets were common in this era. During the early 1850s, the common daydress had a very short underarm seam, a shallow, rounded dip at the waist front.Wide collars of lace, crochet, or tatting fell flat across the shoulders. Calicos, checks, and plaids were common patterns for day dresses. By the mid-1850s, a new day dress was introduced with bishop sleeves and a moderately long-waisted, plain bodice that opened at the front. The basque waist became increasingly popular in the 1850s. A basque waist consisted of a hip-length jacket form that was tight fitting over the bosom and waist and had a crisp flare over the hips and flaring sleeves.

Basque waist dress (uvm.edu)

Mid 1850s bishop sleeve dress (uvm.edu)

Common day dress early 1850s (uvm.edu)

Late 1850s hoop skirt dress (uvm.edu)