In Victorian fashion, the underclothes for ladies - or underpinnings - were the foundation of the impressive structural engineering that was the nineteenth century silhouette. A lady of the Civil War period (the mid-1800s) dressed in laters. First came the stockings, which were often black cotton or silk in daytime, but could be colored, embroidered, or striped, and were often white cotton or silk in nighttime or formal occasions. Then came the drawers or pantaloons, depending on what you called them, and period-correct drawers were actually open-crotched. Next came the chemise, followed by the under petticoat, corset, corset cover, hoops (or corded petticoat), overpetticoat, and finally, the dress and outer garmets.

Here are a few examples of work that J&L Jewett Reenactor Emporium has already done. As we make more pieces, they will be added to this page.

With every custom clothing order, it is required that you send your measurements to jessicajones9828@gmail.com and please remember that the more precise your measurements are, the better we can make your clothes fit. For instructions and diagrams regarding your measurements, please go to the Taking Your Measurements page. Thank you!

Petticoats

Our petticoats are made of cotton or muslin, depending upon the preference of the client. They are always white, as was done in the 1860s, since underpinnings were washed far more often than dresses. The waist is drawstring tied at the back. Trim at the hem may be added per specification - lace, ribbon, etc. - or none at all. This specific petticoat was made from an old bed sheet. Economy made it necessary to recycle old things for most women of the Victorian period, so it would have been entirely accurate for a petticoat to be made in this way. This is just an example, however. Each petticoat is made new per client specifications. Each client has the choice in, fabric type, trim and so forth.

Click the images to see them larger.

Petticoat With Trim

Cotton, Size S $23.00 Cotton, Size M $23.00 Cotton, Size L $25.00 Cotton, Size XL $25.00 Muslin, Size S $28.00 Muslin, Size M $28.00 Muslin, Size L $30.00 Muslin, Size XL $30.00

Petticoat Without Trim

Cotton, Size S $20.00 Cotton, Size M $20.00 Cotton, Size L $22.00 Cotton, Size XL $22.00 Muslin, Size S $25.00 Muslin, Size M $25.00 Muslin, Size L $27.00 Muslin, Size XL $27.00

Undersleeves

Our undersleeves are made of white cotton, as was most commonly worn by women of the nineteenth century. The undersleeve was quite literally a sleeve worn under the sleeve of the dress. They were removable and hugged the arm above the elbow, cuffing at the wrist with a button. Not only was it fashionable but it was functional, designed to protect the dress from oils in the skin and to be removed easily for washing since the dress itself was rarely washed. This undersleeve set was made from our own pattern based on undersleeves we have seen in period photography.

Click the images to see them larger.

Drawers

At the moment, we haven't got a picture of our drawers to put on this website but we will soon. Most of our patterns come from the Abraham's Lady shop in Gettysburg, which is the source of the drawing below. Our drawers are made of cotton or muslin, depending upon the preference of the client. They are always white, as was done in the 1860s, since underpinnings were washed far more often than dresses. The waist is buttoned at the back. Trim at the hems may be added per specification - lace, ribbon, etc. - or none at all. Truly period correct drawers were open-crotched but many reenactors today choose to wear their drawers like baggy pants with a closed crotch. We can alter your drawers to your specification of open or closed crotch.

Click the image to see it larger.

Drawers With Trim

Cotton, Size S $23.00 Cotton, Size M $23.00 Cotton, Size L $25.00 Cotton, Size XL $25.00 Muslin, Size S $28.00 Muslin, Size M $28.00 Muslin, Size L $30.00 Muslin, Size XL $30.00

Drawers Without Trim

Cotton, Size S $20.00 Cotton, Size M $20.00 Cotton, Size L $22.00 Cotton, Size XL $22.00 Muslin, Size S $25.00 Muslin, Size M $25.00 Muslin, Size L $27.00 Muslin, Size XL $27.00

Chemise

At the moment, we haven't got a picture of our chemises to put on this website but we will soon. Most of our patterns come from the Abraham's Lady shop in Gettysburg, which is the source of the drawing below. Our chemises are made of cotton or muslin, depending upon the preference of the client. They are always white, as was done in the 1860s, since underpinnings were washed far more often than dresses. The neckline is a scoop from shoulder to shoulder so that a lady could wear a ballgown or anything else without showing her underpinnings. Trim at the neckline may be added per specification - lace, ribbon, etc. - or none at all. Truly period correct chemises were long enough to reach mid-calf and worn under the corset. The chemise was the main line of defense between sweat and other body oils and the corset, which was not washed.

Click the image to see it larger.

Chemise With Trim

Cotton, Size S $23.00 Cotton, Size M $23.00 Cotton, Size L $25.00 Cotton, Size XL $25.00 Muslin, Size S $28.00 Muslin, Size M $28.00 Muslin, Size L $30.00 Muslin, Size XL $30.00

Chemise Without Trim

Cotton, Size S $20.00 Cotton, Size M $20.00 Cotton, Size L $22.00 Cotton, Size XL $22.00 Muslin, Size S $25.00 Muslin, Size M $25.00 Muslin, Size L $27.00 Muslin, Size XL $27.00

More coming soon!

With every custom clothing order, it is required that you send your measurements to jessicajones9828@gmail.com and please remember that the more precise your measurements are, the better we can make your clothes fit. For instructions and diagrams regarding your measurements, please go to the Taking Your Measurements page. Thank you!