… which defined early and mid Victorian fashion eras, just got bigger and bigger under Charles Worth’s hand. Not only Court Dress and evening wear, but also day wear featured the huge silhouette. While the earlier symmetrical hoops could be made of horsehair or tape, the new shape had to be made of riveted steel and heavy tapes. A whole new industry was created, and fortunately, this one did not include hunting of whales.
(Photo: extant 1962 Cage Hoop)