My first thought was early 1850's, just before the hoop, as others have said. But I wonder if, pound for pound, the 1770's and thereabout might win. Stays that were solidly boned and several layers thick were heavier than corsets, linen shifts were heavier than chemises, petticoats were worn under and over the panniers and some of these were quilted for warmth, and there was the separate pocket, often worn in pairs. It might be a toss-up. Though I'm still betting on mid-Victorian.
Martha _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
