.. skirts. They were coming out of a stiff “bell” and becoming rounder. As the ’40’s progressed, flounces were added to make the skirt wider and wider with the intent of giving the appearance of a narrower and narrower waist. The addition of the Bertha collar and drop shoulders of the bodice created the huge figure 8 silhouette that became more and more extreme at the approach of the 1860’s.
(Photo: 1840’s skirts)