A Trend That Took Over Europe
In the mid-19th century, crinolines became a must-have fashion item. Women across Europe and North America wore these wide, cage-like petticoats made of steel hoops and stiffened fabric to achieve the fashionable bell-shaped silhouette. By the 1860s, millions of women had adopted the style, with some skirts reaching over 1.8 meters (6 feet) in width.
A Deadly Hazard in Everyday Life
While crinolines made skirts appear elegant, they also posed serious dangers. Their large size made them prone to catching fire from open flames, common in homes, streets, and workplaces. Thousands of women died in crinoline-related fires, with many incidents documented in newspapers. In 1863, The London Illustrated News reported that over 3,000 women had burned to death due to crinoline fires in just a few years.
Famous Cases of Tragedy
In 1861, Emily Wilding Davison’s sister, Margaret, died when her crinoline caught fire while she was standing too close to a fireplace. In 1863, Oscar Wilde’s half-sisters, Emily and Mary, suffered fatal burns when their dresses ignited at a party in Ireland.
The Decline of the Crinoline
By the late 1860s, as awareness of these dangers spread, crinolines became less popular, gradually being replaced by smaller, safer alternatives like the bustle.
In the 19th century, crinolines were the height of fashion, but they also became a deadly hazard. These massive skirts, made with steel hoops, could easily catch fire from open flames. Thousands of women died tragically, and some of the most well-documented cases involved… pic.twitter.com/SVv2yrYerD
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