The first record of the petticoat was circa 1375 and comes from the two words pety and coote, meaning "a small coat." Originally it was a padded coat worn by men under armor for warmth. From the mid-15th century onward, it became a garment worn under a woman's gown. Petticoats had two main functions. First was for warmth. Second was modesty. Legs were considered the desirable body part of the time and the extra layers kept them safely hidden. By the 16th century, the over-gown had an inverted V opening, and the petticoat, now visible, was brocaded or embroidered. 17th century fashion lifted the hemline of the outer skirt, showing the petticoat underneath. 18th century returned to the inverted V; the 19th century changed to binding petticoats together to show great fullness in the skirts. By the 1850's the petticoat was abandoned for the more comfortable crinoline.
Net weight 12 ounces / 70+ total burn hours / natural soy wax / phthalate free