I learned so many interesting things about Civil War fashion while writing Sunflower Sisters but the story of the hoop skirt is one of the weirdest.
But women soon found that fashion came at a price and many paid with their lives to be au courant. The New York Times reported that 40,000 deaths were attributed to crinoline fires during the height of the hoop skirt’s popularity. Even the little dog here is on fire!
Other hoop skirt deaths were caused by hoops becoming entangled in the wheels of a passing wagon or swept into the sea by a gust and then pulled under by the steel cage or caught in machinery while working.
In my all-time favorite movie The Piano Holly Hunter’s character Ida gets pulled down into the ocean by her piano, her heavy dress and hoop not helping her rescue.
Quite a price to pay for accentuating a tiny waist.
I wore a hoop under my wedding dress for my first wedding in 1981! It was fun but I can see that they were very likely to be dangerous! Thanks for posting this!
How fun you wore a hoop on your big day, but glad you made it through the wedding, okay, Sandy!😉
OMG Sandy that is too funny!
Ms. Kelly,
I just finished The Lilac Girls and the post highlighting the beauty who is Stasia. It is with tears in my eyes (and suppression of sobs) that I write to you. I cannot adequately convey the amount of gratitude I have for you in taking the time and doing the research to produce such a just, fascinating, and exciting book. While it is never truly possible to feel the torture these strong women endured, you have so eloquently offered their plight without pity. The strength, utter love, and kindness in Stasia’s eyes in the picture of the two of you, forced an audible sob. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, for bringing this to life for me.
I am certainly your newest devotee! I cannot wait to begin another book!
I’m so glad Lilac Girls resonated with you—I feel the same way about that photo of Stasia. I love how you describe her: strength, utter love and kindness, for that was exactly how she was. Such a lovely person and so forgiving. Thank you for reaching out, Stacey!
You are so kind, Stacey! I’m so happy Lilac Girls stayed with you—it was a labor of love writing it! 🙂