How to Sit in a Victorian Bustle

For anyone who is perplexed about how Victorian women (or those of us who dress in Victorian clothing) sit down while wearing a large wired bustle and petticoats.

[@sakurakitten7486]

She scared the crap out of that cat at 2:47

[@BohoMojojo]

I laughed so hard when that cat flinched at the chair rofl It was like "Wtf r u doin, woman?!"

[@hehe45451]

hmm this makes me think that the holding chair thing is first out of necessity and then became culture

[@marigeobrien]

+hehe45451 Yes, I was thinking the same thing. As with so many things that, over time became less essential and evolved into "courtesies" they probably started being something absolutely essential. Relative to that -- though in another subject altogether -- I have been thinking lately (with all the holiday baking) of how the use of salt in recipes has changed during my lifetime (I'm 55). When I was young and first learning to cook and bake, every recipe included salt. Everything. Even icings on cakes, if you can imagine. But now it's almost never called for. Of course, as salt has been identified as causing hypertension, it would be diminished. When I was young, I was told it was used to "enhance flavor." But I was thinking that it is also a preservative, which would have been essential prior to refrigeration. And recipes continued to include salt, long after refrigeration became commonplace. You see? As with some courtesies, salt continued to be used even after it was not needed. We do so much out of habit rather than reason.

[@applesKIWISbananas]

@@marigeobrien thats such a great analogy, and presented a fact that i hadn't thought about before!

[@Tn-qr1kb]

White people don’t have culture 💀

[@LadyMinaMasters]

I love the cat just laying in the window tail twitching.

[@samannthaswtnss9397]

haha she almost smooshed the poor kitty. run kitty run!

[@donaminta]

Super interesting! I didn't know that the bustle collapsed, and that the whole 'men pushing in the chair for women' was also to help them with their dresses. Very informative! (I also liked how your house looked like a victorian home in addition to your wear 😊)

[@biddyboo8]

I think it'd be cool to wear that stuff. Might be a nice experience.

[@cometkatt]

it is great fun

[@applesKIWISbananas]

Its so much fun. Just dont wear taffeta in summer!

[@richardharrop9482]

Thanks for that very informative video, Jennifer. I often wondered how Victorian ladies sat themselves down. Take care

[@thebooboobus5391]

2:46 cat scare! =p

[@veiledzorba]

Where was this video when I needed it? I had to figure this out the hard way. It REALLY becomes interesting when you drive a car in a bustle and corset!

[@Penfold8]

I love how you almost took out the cat at 2:47 LOL!!

[@cherylhutchinson2206]

Thanks I don't know how many times I have been in this situation and didn't know what to do. Fun and practical I will use this advice every day. sorry i couldn't resist.

[@mandyharpist]

This video is great! I saw the one where you sit in a hoopskirt as well. Would sitting in an 18th century pannier be similar to these?

[@peanut9560]

People with the bustle chair: I don’t have such weaknesses

[@LaHayeSaint]

I've often wondered why the backs of some antique chairs are so uncomfortable. The reason is that ladies did not use this part of the chair but rather engaged their corsets to act as back support. So you would need your corset if you wore a bustle.

[@watchingmisskel4156]

You've got a tremendous presentation style if you ever want an editor for more instructional videos I'd be more than happy to do it probono

[@hauntedtoast9610]

at around 2:50 i noticed the cat

[@starlight1799]

Historical Sewing speaking of events do people actually have open events were we can really dress up and such.

[@Historicalsewing1]

Yes! Check with local historical societies and community calendars for such events. A lot of events are put on by groups which may or may not be open to the public. But usually, if it's at a public place and/or with ticket sales then you can contact them to join the event. Once you get involved with the first event or meet people planning it you can see just how many costume events there are going on. Cheers! ~Jennifer

[@starlight1799]

Thanks so much!

[@dafr3ak]

Thank you! Now I’ll be ready for when time travel is invented.

[@marvinabigby6801]

I just sawa beautiful Victorian ladies bussle chair.

[@hawahawalol]

that cat....nyaa...

[@jessicabennett7759]

I love this. thank u, you were really awesome explaining this!

[@dontworrybehappy5431]

When I scrolled down most of the comments were about the cat in the window lol 😂...

[@yeahyeah4244]

Why is this info needed in 2022

[@STONECOLD1987]

these dresses add alot of feminism to women, wish the style was like this again. not showing much, yet sexy. Wow compared to what society wears today

[@Kikkies68]

+STONECOLD1987 I think you mean "femininity." Feminism is completely different.

[@nocturnalrecluse1216]

STONECOLD1987+ Yea, but that has to be really uncomfortable.

[@TheGreenbutsad]

STONECOLD1987 yeah, I would prefer these dresses anytime for dressing we do now a days But I would rather sit comfortably in a chair. Sitting on a edge of a chair like this for hours? I am getting tired just looking at it.

[@gideonstupke2257]

STONECOLD1987 I'm a hat maker trying to bring these styles back. I have spoke to people that have worn clothing like this and they think it is comfortable.

[@TerranTaro]

and so much fabric you're an oven waiting to overheat :p oh and goodluck going to the bathroom without 3 people to lift it up or getting stuff on your dress :p

[@almer1556]

Is it weird that i am a boy who like victorian garments

[@beth12svist]

+Almer Maybe there's a local reenactment/historical group you could join.

[@allywilkeforsenate]

Not that all.Live your life how you want.

[@earthlydelights8234]

Almer nothing weird at all. beauty.

[@joecitizen6755]

With all the estrogen mimickers in foods, soaps and plastics ... it's a wonder why all boys don't desire to be girls. All part of the JWO plan ... good luck getting out.

[@nurfaqihahridzuan8870]

Exactly what i need to watch

[@MsLeahSweet]

might I ask, what kind of corset is that? and where was it purchased? I've been looking for one similar to that.

[@cometkatt]

its likely she made it herself - she is a very talented seamstress :)

[@valjones2063]

Very informative! thanks!

[@sithjayaweera5199]

Very informative vid, Thanks!

[@dscrystalline]

Very professional.

[@labananiere]

Mais que tu est belle. Laisse pousser tes cheveux, ni décoloration , ni teinture, ni coupe recommandé. Des petits coussins sur les fesses (c'est mille fois mieux que des piqûres cancérigène peut être) une cage à crinoline, et bien sur la robe, que de beauté, bravo;

[@3Angela]

The cat!!!

[@crowncookingcraftsandmore2419]

When she pushed the chair back the cat jumped a little

[@ValeryCrickets]

Almost squeeze between the window and the chair...

[@captainamerica7063]

Rip that cat 2:47

[@NotYourAngel]

wonderful!

[@maryrichardson6029]

love it. thank you

[@jaftsix3681]

thanks :)

[@parishiltonwood1401]

thanks

[@antu9864]

love you're kitty :3

[@allusibasinclair-barker9507]

Antú 98 your

[@v8infinity8]

cute cat:)

[@mfredcourtney5876]

No wonder those poor women were hysterical! What misery!

[@shreyadutta2599]

Damn if I was born in Victorian era...I would wait for the time to go to sleep....even sitting is not comfortable

[@cometkatt]

actually i find bustle more comfortable than some other periods..

[@donaminta]

They would remove all this stuff when sleeping, women would only sleep with a nightgown and pantaloons.

[@vlobascio]

of course there's a cat

[@burgermister7580]

Pain in the but

[@nocturnalrecluse1216]

Too much junk the trunk.