By 1856 women were no longer wearing multiple petticoats due to W S Thompson and his invention of his cage frame. The invention was
patented in United States, Great Britain and France. After careful marketing through newspapers and magazines in these three countries it
soon became very popular.
It was sufficient enough where women of all classes were wearing the new fashion. The only difference in the fashion across the classes
was the materials used to make the crinoline. For many decades women were restricted and now their legs were freed up which was a lot
safer to walk in. The other benefit was the weight, with the crinoline women only had to wear two petticoats and this was to prevent the
hoops showing through the skirts as folds across the fabric.
Again, like decades before the size of the skirt was continuing to grow in size. This expansion continued and by the early 1860s they had
reached their maximum dome shape. Around 1864 the shape continued to grow yet from the back, creating a long sloping back. A good example
of this is Claude Monet’s Woman in the Garden 1866.
Because of the now massive shape it received much criticism due to the impractical size. It had reached sizes of 1.8 meters in
circumference that made it difficult to move through hallways, travel in a carriage and carry out daily duties as a maid or working in a
factory. Women working near factory equipment were at risk of being caught and dragged into them causing injury or even death. There was
also a great danger with fireplaces as it was sometimes uneasy to judge the edge of the skirt and because of the natural fabrics used
combined with the large air space between the fabrics. Once the fabric took alight it was very difficult to put out.
By the late 1860s the crinoline began to lose shape at the sides but maintained its shape at the back giving it a long sloping appearance.
By then it was no longer known as a crinoline. It was now known as a bustle.
Today crinolines are still used, mainly in formal occasions such as formal balls and weddings. Generally, the size of the crinoline is
not at the same volume as the crinolines of the 19th century. The materials today are a lot stronger, lighter and cheaper than its
predecessors.
