Early Victorians used the corset, huge skirts, and…

…large sleeves to make that giant “hourglass with bell” silhouette.  The Engageante false undersleeve balanced out the effect of the cage crinoline or hoop.  They too looked like bells.

(Dogs are back!  Here’s an early 1860’s woman with engageantes and a dog who doesn’t care about her sleeves at all).