Polonaise Style

Polonaise style referred to the arrangement of the overskirt of a dress into three bunched swags to give the hips the impression of width and to display the petticoat underneath. Polonaise style featured ankle-length petticoats that revealed high-heeled walking

Woman wearing a polonaise style dress, which featured an overskirt with three bunched swags that gave the hips the impression of width and displayed the petticoat underneath. Reproduced by permission of © .

shoes. The style became quite popular during the eighteenth century as a practical garment for walking because the skirts did not drag along the ground.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Cosgrave, Bronwyn. The Complete History of Costume and Fashion: From Ancient Egypt to the Present Day. New York: Checkmark Books, 2000.

Ribeiro, Aileen. A Visual History of Costume: The Eighteenth Century. London, England: B. T. Batsford, 1983.

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