Wrappers and corsets

[Michael Comer]

I have been getting mixed information about whether or not a wrapper was worn with a hoop. I have been told yes, I have been told no and I have been told it was a matter of personal choice.

I do not know any sources where I can find a definitive answer. Could someone please help with this or give some advice as to where I can go to find the answer?

[Virginia Mescher]

Re: Wrappers and corsets

I have been getting mixed information about whether or not a wrapper was worn with a corset. I have been told yes, I have been told no and I have been told it was a matter of personal choice.

I do not know any sources where I can find a definitive answer. Could someone please help with this or give some advice as to where I can go to find the answer?

Fashion is not my area of research but I do have some information in my files. Hopefully someone that has done more research on wrappers can help you out.

This may or may not give you a definitive answer but I found the information in _Miss Leslie's Lady's House-Book_ by Eliza Leslie (1850)

"Double wrappers. - These may be cut in the same manner as night-gowns . If make of calico or gingham, it is best to have both lining and outside of the same material. The seams are all inside, so as to have no raw edges. If intended chiefly for comfort, (as all wrappers ought to be,) it is best to make them loose all the way down, without attempting any thing like a body; as it is sometimes done by having a plain back, with a case at the bottom, set on a gathered skirt behind. These backs never look even tolerably well, unless they are drawn in tightly to the waist, and worn with a belt and over corsets; all which, if the wrapper is designed for a garment of ease, will defeat the purpose."

Some wrappers were made to be worn before a woman dressed for the day and could be worn without a corset and some were extremely fancy and were worn with corsets. It would really depend upon the type of wrapper is being worn.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Wrappers and corsets, I mean hoops

I was incorrect in my original post. I was wondering if they were worn with hoops. My apologies for the error.

[Virginia Mescher]

Re: Wrappers and corsets, I mean hoops

I was incorrect in my original post. I was wondering if they were worn with hoops. My apologies for the error.

The more elaborate wrappers were worn over hoops. There are many illustrations of those types of wrappers.

Some of the plainer wrappers, worn as a housedress or "undress garment" would not have been made to wear over a hoop.

K. Krewer has a number of wrappers in her collection and if I recall correctly, some were fairly narrow and some were made wide enough to wear over a hoop. The Whiteman's had several wrappers on exhibit at Shaker Village this past Sept. and I noted the same thing, both narrow and wide wrappers were there.

[Faye Dufour]

Re: Wrappers and corsets

My wrapper was made from a period pattern (I have forgotten the name of it), and was meant to be worn in the same way I would today wear a "housecoat" over a nightgown or pajamas. It was very handy to have at events when you had to visit the "facilities", and first thing in the morning when you were drinking coffee. I also had a period nightcap "suitiable for those no longer young", as it was described in Godey's Ladies Book. That way I was dressed in period clothes first thing in the morning, so not to loose the feeling of being in the 19th century. Sorry for the vague description, but I lost everything in Hurricane Katrina (I lived in a suburb of New Orleans). I did manage to save one of my photo albums because I had left it at my office for a co-worker to look at. Looking at the photos brings back many happy memories and smiles.

I also used it at the end of the day. Since my main impression was that of a Religious Sister of Mercy, I could take off the habit and relax and still be correctly dressed for camp.

I too, have seen illustrations of very eleaborate wrappers, obviously meant to wear over hoops. Would guess these were for those women who had the luxury of being served breakfast in bed, or coming downstairs and only had to have a servant bring it in.

Before I forget - a "hello" to all on the list who might remember me, either from Chickamauga, 1999 (the St. Alphonsus Field Chapel), or from other events in Louisiana and Mississippi. I do plan on getting back into the hobby in a small way by attending the Battle of New Orleans event in January.

Faye Dufour
fadufour@bellsouth.net

[K. Krewer]

Re: Wrappers and corsets

Sorry, coming to this late. As Virginia indicates, some wrappers have wide skirts and would have required hoops, others not -- depends on the wrapper. Some wrappers were worn fashionably, "at home" receiving intimate friends, at breakfast at hotels and watering places -- and these would have been worn over hoops, frequently open in the skirt front with a fancy embroidered petticoat showing beneath. Others were more functional -- the morning "housecoat", or worn for working or lounging -- the wearer might dispense with hoops for these.

K. Krewer