Hoop Skirt

Currently not on view

Hoop Skirt

c. 1868-1872

Artist/maker unknown, American

The short length of this hoop skirt indicates that it was worn under a walking dress that was looped up or had a hem several inches off the ground. Short skirts provided greater mobility, and also allowed a woman to display her ankles-or at least fashionable striped stockings and boots. Women were warned to wear only very small hoops with these newly popular short skirts, since a breeze or bending over in a large bouncy hoop skirt could reveal more than decency allowed. Although of modest circumference, this hoop is fairly full in the upper back, and an additional horsehair bustle would probably have emphatically emphasized this area.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Hoop Skirt

Date:

c. 1868-1872

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, American

Medium:

Cotton-covered spring steel hoops; cotton tapes; tinned iron buckle and fasteners; copper alloy fasteners

Dimensions:

Diameter: 22 inches (55.9 cm) Circumference: 69 1/8 inches (175.6 cm)

Classification:

Costume (including accessories)

Credit Line:

Gift of Elizabeth Shipley, 1994

Accession Number:

1994-35-2

Geography:

Probably made in United States, North and Central America

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Currently not on view