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Pantalettes are undergarments covering the legs worn by women, girls, and very young boys (before they were breeched) in the early- to mid-19th century.
Pantalettes originated in France in the early 19th century, and quickly spread to Britain and
Historical Boys' Clothing - Pantalettes
{{Historical clothing 19th-century fashion Undergarments French clothing
Pantalettes are undergarments covering the legs worn by women, girls, and very young boys (before they were breeched) in the early- to mid-19th century.
Pantalettes originated in France in the early 19th century, and quickly spread to Britain and America
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
. Pantalettes were similar to leggings. They could be one-piece or two separate garments, one for each leg, attached at the waist with buttons or laces. The crotch was left open for hygiene reasons. They were most often of white linen
Linen () is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant.
Linen is very strong, absorbent, and dries faster than cotton. Because of these properties, linen is comfortable to wear in hot weather and is valued for use in garments. It also ...
fabric and could be decorated with tucks, lace, cutwork or broderie anglaise
Broderie anglaise (French, "English embroidery", ) is a whitework needlework technique incorporating features of embroidery, cutwork and needle lace that became associated with England, due to its popularity there in the 19th century.
History ...
.
Ankle-length pantalettes for women were worn under the crinoline and hoop skirt to ensure that the legs were modestly covered should they become exposed. Pantalettes for children and young girls were mid-calf to ankle-length and were intended to show under their shorter skirts. Until the mid-19th century, very young boys were commonly dressed in dresses, gowns and pantalettes, though these were commonly associated with girls' clothing, until the boys were breeched at any age between 2 and 8 years of age, and sometimes older. Young boys would be dressed in this fashion until at least they were toilet-trained.
Cultural references
An Irish reel bears the title of the Ladies' Pantalettes. The US Virgin Islands folk song "Over the Side", records how smuggler and suffragistElla Gifft
Ella Gifft, also Ella Gift (–26 December 1964), was a Black entrepreneur and suffragist from the United States Virgin Islands, who founded the Suffragist League and was one of the first women to register to vote in the territory. She smuggled al ...
used her pantalettes to hide the rum that she was illegally importing there, during the prohibition era.
In the 1939 film, '' Gone With The Wind'', Rhett Butler tells Scarlett O'Hara, upon his return from Paris, France, that pantalettes are out of style there.
See also
* Leggings * UndergarmentReferences
*C. Willett Cunnington
Cecil Willett Cunnington (22 November 1878 – 21 January 1961) was an English medical doctor and collector, writer and historian on costume and fashion. When he died ''The Times'' called him the ''Leading Authority on English Costume''. He a ...
& Phillis Cunnington
Phillis Emily Cunnington (1 November 1887 – 24 October 1974) was an English medical doctor and collector, writer and historian on costume and fashion. She and her husband Cecil Willett Cunnington (1878–1961) worked together not only in the ...
, ''The History of Underclothes'' 1951, Dover. .
External links
Historical Boys' Clothing - Pantalettes
{{Historical clothing 19th-century fashion Undergarments French clothing