In a follow up to the BBC news a few weeks ago that several pieces of Queen Victoria’s undergarments were being offered at auction, there was some speculation that her bloomers might fetch £500. So it comes as a surprise that they sold for £4500 ($9,000. !)…. Her chemise, with a 66″ bust, sold for $8,000. and her nightgown sold for $11,000. See the full article from the Guardian where it is revealed that the bloomers had a 50″ waist: Queen Victoria’s bloomers, and here at Yahoo News with a picture…
The history of undergarments is fascinating…. I offer up a few links to start your study:
- The Foundation of Elegance
- A Short History of the Corset
- Fashion History of Undergarments
- The Fashion Page, History of Undergarments (part 1) and part 2
- Bras and Underwear, a history
- Costume.org on 19th century undergarments, including many links to other sites.
- The Lingerie Collection at the Kent State University Museum [ and see also the homepage Bissonnette on Costume, A Visual Dictionary ]
- Jessamyns’ Regency Costume Companion on underthings
- At Jane Austen’s World, see Ms. Place’s post on A Regency Lady gets Dressed
Jane Austen in Vermont 