Category: term definition

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aniline dyes

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

barbette

A piece of linen which passes under the chin and is pinned at the sides, usually worn in conjunction with additional head coverings during the Middle Ages.

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.

bombast/bombasted

The padding used to structure clothing and create fashionable silhouettes in the 16th and 17th centuries.

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.

caraco

18th century women’s jacket, fitted around the torso and flared out after the waist.

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.