Category: term definition

For easier browsing of all our term definitions, please visit our Dictionary page!

aniline dyes

Synthetic, chemical dyes for garments first invented in the 19th century.

beadnet dress

A decorative sheath dress made of beads worn in ancient Egypt.

Bloomers are a bifurcated garment that were worn under dresses in the 19th century. They soon became a symbol of women’s rights because early activist Amelia Bloomer wore drawers long enough to stick out from under her dress.

buff coat

A leather version of the doublet that was often, but not exclusively, worn by people in the military in the 17th century.

bum roll

A roll of padding tied around the hip line to hold a woman’s skirt out from the body in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

busk

A flat length stay piece that was inserted into the front of a corset to keep it stiff from the 16th century to the early 20th century.

bustle

A pad or frame worn under a skirt puffing it out behind.

cage crinoline

A hooped cage worn under petticoats in the 19th century to stiffen and extend the skirt.

carrick coat

The carrick coat is an overcoat with three to five cape collars popular in the 19th century and mostly worn for riding and travel–sometimes called a Garrick or coachman’s coat.