… actually did have structural support in the form of “trained ruffled petticoats” to help carry the weight of so much draping.
For women who were not slim and tall in these years, the “Tea Gown” became a popular alternate choice. It was a flowing type of robe that was not fitted at all.
(Photos: museum examples of 1878 “Tea Gowns” for older and larger women of the Natural Form Era)