womens fashion

Women's Fashion of the Civil War by Megan Crane

poster yourself

Period Fabrics There were many different kinds of fabrics used in the late 1800s such as wool, silk, cotton, jean cloth, and linen. There was also many different types of colors used for women's clothing. There was a variety of prints, mostly solid colors, stripes, and plaids.

More Fabrics Linen was made of some of the lovliest fabrics for fine dresses and gowns. It wrinkled easily. Linen required pressing with a high-heat iron. Cotton was made of calico and gingham. Linsey-woolsey was just a blend of linen and wool.

poster yourself

Buttons Buttons were used for fasteners and decorative touches. The materials of buttons were in a large range. Shell, mother of pearl

About Women's Clothing Women often wore dresses with fitted bodice, a corset, and a cape. Wealthy women had different outfits to suit the time of day and social occasion..

About Women's Clothing Women's clothing in the time of the civil war was more varied than men's. Most dresses were made of linsey-woolsey or of colorful cottons. Women had to wear many layers of clothing, including undergarments.