Victorian realities - how did they use the toilet??!

After our recent videos ( Moving in a crinoline cage; Dressing up a Victorian ), one of the most common questions was this - 'How on earth did they use the toilet in all those skirts, petticoat, bustles, crinolines and what else is there hiding under the Victorian Skirts???!'
And I just couldn't ignore it - so behold, a very silly video dealing with the daily reality of a Victorian life....
No nudity, and no real natural functions are being performed - all demonstration of how the clothes moved and were manipulated. if you are easily offended by watching someone pretend to go to the loo, simply don't watch :-)
Correction - When talking about the bustle folding, I of course mean accordion, not harmonica... :-(
music:Camille Saint -Sans Dance Macabre

[@stellazhao7055]

that is so weird to see that cage looks so flexible and soft. i always thought cages are very hard and rigid in order to maintain good shapes.

[@galaxy-bw4oh]

Stella Yes. I really thought the same thing. :the cage looked like very hard....

[@k.oRocky-hh5rx]

Stella didn’t they have another piece at the hood which weighted them down?

[@kinokononomura]

oh yes, i though the cage in the pass was make with metal and very hard 😱 so i think it's weird too 😱

[@Crosshill]

@@kinokononomura the channel has a video called moving in a crinoline, i love seeing it bounce and squish

[@bonnielong5812]

The hoops for dresses in this era are the flexible ones that you show , but in the 1950’s the crinolines were sometimes supplemented with a hoop & that was just one ridged hoop at the bottom of the crinoline & if the girls were not instructed on their proper manner of handling the hoop when they sat down the the hoop would pop up, revealing their undies & legs (which was very funny for the rest of us) but of course mortify for the wearer. That happened to my sister’s best friend when they went to their Senior Prom!!😂

[@abc64pan]

Shame on us for thinking the people back then were stupid.

[@ivapolansky8004]

They were kind of stupid for wearing these enormous outfits.

[@benjaminozoemena3324]

@@ivapolansky8004 not really, they didn't have air conditioning, radiators or sunscreen so instead they dressed for the weather outside (I recommend Abby Cox for more info). They wore lace when it was hot so the sun wasn't directly on their skin and the wife loads of wool when it was cold.

[@orchidsarepretty1422]

Iva Polansky and we’re kinda stupid now for barley wearing anything. Funny how things change huh? P.s id love to wear these outfits

[@FineHupeline]

​@@ivapolansky8004 I think we are sillier. Most people are uneasy with their looks and some going to a cosmetic surgeon. In 2017 over 23,4 million cosmetic surgeon and non-surgical encroachments were implemented worldwide. I believe our ancestors were more pleased in this specific subject because their form was shaped by these stunning attire. Furthermore what Benjamin says, they have to dress with the weather conditions. I don't think the most of us know how to do this ... or even what in the gardens is edible or have a medical use.

[@roach391]

@@benjaminozoemena3324 The heat back then isn't as serious as the heat now.

[@KG-kq7kn]

And all of this is still easier than wearing a romper to the bathroom

[@lizzitremayneauthorandequi6127]

sure is. :)

[@thecuteladybug]

Exactly!

[@donttalktomeyoureannoying8736]

K G I actually stopped wearing rompers just because of this reason 😞 and what a shame because they are so damn cute

[@siphy9335]

And seeing this, that’s not even false 😂

[@elizabethmolloy3908]

Facts. When I see them in the closet and think, you should wear this more, why don't you wear this more..cut to me sitting naked and cold in a Walmart bathroom remembering very clearly now why I never wear those stupid things.

[@Karliene]

All those gorgeous, sweeping period dramas that I love suddenly look a lot less romantic.

[@justthatonedumbkid7962]

What do you mean??

[@lightnoir6914]

Everyone look gross underneath

[@mashed1476]

well yeah people peed in any century

[@katherinemorelle7115]

Though if you consider the easy access that allowed one to get swept up in a moment of passion.... maybe a bit more romantic after all?

[@justthatonedumbkid7962]

@@mashed1476 ikr lmao

[@falahalajmi9710]

How did I get here and why did I watch the whole thing ??

[@NekoShiiro93]

you and me both buddy

[@mr.anta_an5919]

Falah Alajmi 😄

[@rohailakhire2511]

Falah Alajmi Because it was interesting😂😂😂

[@ForceFreeTrainergirl06]

I was just thinking the same thing myself. I was watching art tutorials to start with LOL!

[@connieheitz8982]

I was watching glass blowing lol

[@victoriajarvis2260]

She was vivacious and pleasant and not a bit vulgar. The question was answered. It still must have been daunting. Especially during menses. Thank you for a real 'historic' overview instead of trash.

[@JacquelineHahn1]

I was thinking that, because you would have to deal with the 'rags' first before you could get to the other business.

[@Crosshill]

@@JacquelineHahn1 even if they didnt get their periods as often as a modern woman, due to frequent pregnancies or lacking diets or other stresses, it still mustve been hell. even our grandparents generations might know of the horrible pad harnesses that quickly became history with self-adhesive pads

[@marg4229]

@@Crosshill Yup. My teen years (1960 in a remote small town) had to live through no slacks to school- ever, period mattress pad was huge with elastic belt harness, then garter belt around waist to hold up stockings also attached with short elastic clips to stockings, underpants, slip or sometimes crinoline or two, skirt, pointy bra, blouse, sweater - all took forever to get dressed in the morning. Deodorant was a pain too since it didn't really work and it stained blouses' underarm areas because blouses were made a bit tighter (fitted) than now. Real trick was standing up from sitting position - the 2 elastics holding each stocking to a harness and period mattress pad setup all tightened up, twanged, and pulled on your waist when you stood up. What a nightmare. Since I was able to sew, I always feel I invented the first pantyhose - bought stockings for tall girls and hand-stitched them to thin girdle-type panties. Had to use the girdle type panties because they were less likely to be pulled down to around your ankles by stockings or period pad that was safety pinned to panties too. It made sense to wash panties and stockings together since I wasn't about to wear them more than 1 day. Loved watching this show though as I watch a lot of costume drama shows and figured it wasn't going to be easy. I imagine also that one tended to not go as often. I don't think they knew about drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily and delicate tea cups don't compare to our huge travel mugs now.

[@Crosshill]

@@marg4229 aaaaaaaaaaah. thats a lot of things just tacked onto your waist. i feel like if theres any room for women to get creative, it'd be these sorts of hidden away issues and peoples individual solutions and tricks to make it bearable. i wonder if anyone managed to hide and use male suspenders to somehow divide the mess between those and the harness what are your favorite costume drama shows?

[@marg4229]

​@@Crosshill Fortunately they were thin things around the waist and only all there during that time of the month. It didn't take me long to shed the extra layers with the adaptations for mattress pad, getting rid of crinolines in favor of half slip, and being a real tart by not wearing a full slip over bra if sweater was thick enough to not see through. Then the stockings adaptation happened for me, skirts got tighter instead of the huge flare out monstrosities, bras became more realistic instead of the pointy wonders with fabric that gradually became more flexible and comfortable. I think male suspenders would be too bulky though. I'm laughing at what I'm wearing now: socks, panties, sports bra, stretchy pants, and oversized turtleneck knit top. It can't get any more comfortable. I think I have seen nearly every costume drama (with more still coming out) and I prefer the British productions. It is not so much which stories are my favorite, but the particular actors playing the parts. Alison Steadman and David Bamber are the absolute best portrayals in Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. Hope you have seen it.

[@lilplaguedoctor]

i cant help but fear being dressed in that beautiful getup & spilling, ahem, waste onto my dress or some part of it. Ugh i shudder just thinking about it

[@bonnerscott5374]

The women's work is incredible she makes all the things she's wearing herself and her knowledge of the age is impeccable.

[@MarkByrne1965]

I stumbled on this video by mistake, and am now leaving this page with insightful information I had never before pondered. Really educational, and dare I say fun! Thank you :)

[@mentoswatthehell]

I have Ponder it for a long time!

[@humphrey-7094]

KZbin Algorithm: I know you always wanted to know how Victorian Era women dropped a deuce, so I got you bro. 💯👍

[@flyorwalk1743]

You know just in Case you need this

[@hilarybenoit2926]

As a history student I find this incredibly informative

[@cozy46]

So am I! And I do as well

[@bettyroberts3546]

Most common woman would have used outhouses where front straddle wouldn't have been possible. I grew up an outhouse. I do realize there were water closets but mainly the rich had them and the common for did not

[@isabelafonso8707]

Approaching from the front is exactly how i was able to use the bathroom on my wedding day without all the fuss of my bridesmaids helping me lol

[@nicestpancake]

My main concern with that is that there typically isn't enough room AROUND the toilet for that to be entirely comfortable?

[@isabelafonso8707]

@@nicestpancake depends. Most venues have some type of bridal suite with roomier bathrooms for the bride. Or the handicap stalls work as well. Its deff a weird feeling though lol.

[@brittni2577]

My biggest question has always been how did they not all die of a heat stroke. No air conditioning, layers and layers of clothing, how did they survive the summer?

[@salvecross8394]

back in the days the earth is cooler, but now it is warmer

[@christinam6663]

There were dresses that were lighter and thinner which helped during the summer. They typically didn't wear as many layers during the summer either. Moreover, they were made of cotton and linen which breathes a lot better during the summer. The design of the houses also helped with that - awnings, curtains, shutters to help circulate air and provide shade/limit the sun coming in. Don't forget parasols and fans, too. Also, just generally being used to it makes a huge difference. i.e. if someone from Texas moves to Canada they'll probably be freezing their ass off, and if someone from Canada moves to Texas it's probably going to seem like they're burning up. People tend to adapt and acclimate to their environment remarkably well.

[@GoodVideos4]

Oh well, men's clothing hasn't changed much since then. So, these days there is still some men wearing layers and layers of clothing having to survive the summer, being suits, which wouldn't 'suit'. And, at many work places having to always wear long pants, shoes and socks in summer

[@EggiTheShadow]

@Christina M You make a good point... because the dresses were made out of cotton and linen they were much easier to wear during the summer. If they were made using synthetic fabrics which are commonly used in modern times like polyester, nylon, or acrylic, all these ladies would've died from heatstroke

[@Paltse]

There is the thing called shade, you know, the places humans go if they feel too hot - and can go someplace else.

[@amadaotero2886]

I can't thank you enough for this video. Luckily I watched this before my Quinceñera and used the sitting down facing the toilet method and it worked out perfectly. My dress was huge with a hoop skirt and nothing was ruined while in the bathroom. I know this is TMI but it really worked.

[@tigerloverme6383]

Amada Otero I'm watching this before my quinceañera too! I just got the dress (we have a small hoop but I won't have the proper hoop until we rent it on the day of my quince) and I was wondering how I would go to the bathroom in my princess dress with its huge skirt

[@kennethbarr2308]

Amada Otero anthony bordain

[@ferkrakren8123]

Amada Otero ay mija Jus go

[@joanweaver3889]

Tigerlover

[@vanessarolph3532]

Brilliant you never know when you might need to go wearing a big frock 😊

[@varianbond]

The day I learned the “face the toilet” trick was the day my anxiety around cosplaying at conventions dropped astronomically 😂

[@taylordampier]

Funny story about chamber pots one year for Christmas. When I was little, my dad bought one for my mother and said, oh, you can cook stuff in it. She had to pull him aside gently and explain to him that it was a chamber pot and people used them as crapers

[@MrBadKitty]

0:56 I saw her corset, how Scandalous!! Such a dirty rogue, now i must go and shield my children's eyes...I bid thee good day, madam!

[@randomcitizen3939]

Love this :D Made my day.

[@gildamarlowe5110]

or ma'am lol--guys really were lucky-- so easy to whip it out and . . .

[@gildamarlowe5110]

why is my stuff being xed out? what dorks

[@MrBadKitty]

***** I was in such shock, I couldn't respond properly. My wife fainted and I was forced to...*gasp* talk to my children!

[@Muck006]

scandalous not scandaless ... "less" would be ... less (and doesnt really exist as a word).

[@randomrainbow4479]

Your pantomiming is top notch hilarious and yet still informative. I am having as much fun watching your facial expressions as I would watching Gold Rush or Modern Times. You are a riot madam.

[@priorattire]

thank you so much! :-)

[@sahanabanerjee3917]

Seeing this after 2 years and I too admit that your miming the whole "act" was so well done without in the least seeming lewd or scandalous! Your humour added value to the presentation being very "decent". Well done madam!

[@dalhousiekid]

Random Rainbow THAT is high praise! Two of my fave movies

[@DesignByRo]

Thank you for doing this. I recently opened an escape room in south Florida with the overall theme being a theater set in the late Victorian/ early Edwardian period. I like to make things as authentic as possible so my uniform involves a corset with a bustle skirt. I've tried several adjustments, none are easy and take entirely too long when we have players in the house. This was exactly what I needed demonstrated. Thank you!!

[@MadMakerWorkshop]

I just realized what killed the standing up taking a leak for women - modern knikers/pants.... With earlyer styles, leg up on a fence or whatever and you are good to go.

[@rachelcookie321]

As a kid I often peed outside when there was no toilet about and I can’t see how women could pee standing up with modern pants or not. I always had to squat and even that was risky business. Surely if you went standing up then it would just run down your leg.

[@elaineburgin5294]

Actually, the ladies who wore these big dresses, didn't burn up during the summer as much as we imagine. They wore white dresses during the summer, which reflected the sun. And they wore a couple of garments made of soft, absorbent white cotton underneath the dress. For underarm perspiration they fan-folded several layers of fabric and sewed them in to the underarms, which absorbed the moisture and kept them cooler. I saw this feature on a white dress that was made by my grandmother. Pretty inventive, really. I wouldn't have liked the corsets though. WAY too uncomfortable.

[@lilbatz]

All I know is I would have spilled that stupid chamber pot all down the front of me.

[@weedermann]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@muffins3629]

LMAO SAME

[@wb4882]

Enjay Nicolay ...Why would you do that?? Out of rebellion?

[@LadyIarConnacht]

They probably stayed in their bedroom all day "indisposed" on days like that, and for their periods too. Some clothing just isn't that forgiving.

[@nonwilson5587]

Enjay Nicolay me too. And I might slip and fall on the invisible rock... Where is that rock?

[@RoarOfWolverine]

Wow, I actually found this interesting. This is one of those things you wonder about, but don’t really ask and just take your best guess. Especially being a guy, I would never think about asking these questions, but those fashions do leave you wondering. Women had it really tough in those times. I knew there had to be a way, just never got such a detailed answer. Thanks.

[@corazoncubano5372]

The way the attachment pieces are created to fold was ingenious. In the past I thought they were solid pieces.

[@dawns1978]

One of the most oddly informative videos I have watched. One of those bizarre things you always wonder about.

[@kendranannettej.jeffery8925]

You would make an excellent actress. Your facial expressions are off the charts! And the music is always on point. Please keep up the fabulous work with the videos.

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

I think was very tastefully done.

[@abeycee7427]

The likelihood of dragging a train in the pot or accidentally knocking it over tho...

[@janedoe805]

You are entirely too funny! I loved the way you kept tossing the used tissue paper on the floor.

[@AnnaCMeyer]

Somehow struck my funny bone that the music was Saint-Saens' "Danse Macabre". Somehow odd, but entirely appropriate at the same time.

[@Eveline8Erfolg]

Yes!

[@AZ-ln7ky]

I've been looking for the name of this music since childhood! I had heard it in some TV show Thank you so much))

[@quantumharry168]

@@AZ-ln7ky Was it the episode of Buffy called "Hush"? Giles uses Danse Macabre during his slide show in that episode.

[@swannavon2309]

Nice job! My grandmother had a trunk full of clothes from generations back. I remember finding a couple pairs of split drawers and being confused by them. Now I understand!

[@pinkgal2345]

I used these exact methods while wearing my wedding dress with its 5 petticoats. It's not the easiest but easier than a jumpsuit!

[@samanthanyarko9166]

I’ve always thought that’s why upper class ladies had all those outfits to change into all day-visiting dress, tea gown, evening gown, etc.-so they could go to the bathroom when they were changing instead of always having to go through the rigamarole of going in the dress.

[@skinnyrotisseriechicken180]

Can we just stop and appreciate how beautiful the first dress is?

[@saint7889]

It looks like a bed sheet tho

[@skinnyrotisseriechicken180]

Jayne Robson ok... be nice...

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

I LOVED the one with the roses...she was standing in a corner .... (sigh) beautiful and VERY romantic.

[@sherine9033]

The second one is also beautiful, I really wanna wear them someday 😣

[@jojo1234a]

This was awesome, I find history magnificently fascinating, through from royal etiquette, through the classes, and especially the menial things like this that no one considers. The little ways in which life was lived makes history come alive.

[@Ingrid0410]

well said Jojo! I agree!

[@paulinefarrell2580]

Fishers

[@nmann5797]

Jojo Sagewitch

[@clairreads1965]

I didn’t realise they held the chamber pot - thought it was a squat job!

[@Janmification]

ClairReads There was also a porcelain narrow pot called a bordeloo, pls check spelling on that.

[@sherine9033]

I think the majority of white people can't squat like that due to their leg anatomy or whatever they call it. It can be seen even today in many videos that white people struggle with squatting. *I'm not being racist or trying to offend people or anything here, just giving an information that I know

[@aradialefae4777]

What kinda of weird racist inaccurate shite is this?

[@aradialefae4777]

FFS there’s no actual differences between the races except superficial ones and we still have less difference between us than two different dog breeds. We don’t even have enough genetic differences to qualify as different breeds. Go spew your eugenics based lies elsewhere.

[@sherine9033]

@@aradialefae4777 idk how you feel offended when I was just stating one of the differences between races. I mean I'm an asian myself with chinese bloodline and I won't be mad even if you say that we're yellow since it's true, we're more yellow than white people who are more white-pinkish. Okay tbh the info I gave wasn't detailed so maybe you misunderstood or something, so let me clarify this. Squatting ability between both races are not based on genetics, it's based on lifestyle. Most of us have been squatting since we were young because we mostly use squat toilets. Hence, most of us asians have a more flexible hip flexor. Which means, even if you're asian you're not guaranteed to be able to do "asian squat" and vice versa, white people can do "asian squat" if they train since young or even when they're already adult

[@tijuanamustchange]

you tube is turning scary.... I watched a documentary of Queen Victoria and asked "how did she go to the bathroom?", and this was the next video to come up automatically.... I have officially been spooked.

[@stevejeffries1603]

Well what do u expect

[@patiencechinyere4489]

1year later and it happened to me

[@whatzmyusrname]

KZbin is spying on you, he tracks every. single. move... ;)

[@toritsuki_]

When going to the washroom in a bodysuit is harder than in Victorian fashion

[@dbseamz]

Tori Innes or a 1-piece bathing suit....

[@anarosareyes6269]

Rosie Johnson Truer words were never spoked specially a wet one piece bathing suit

[@Yuna-pt8nr]

So true... when you have to peel the whole thing off your body just to sit on the wet toilet seat to pee..

[@justgween7573]

Tori Innes imagine the Victorians watching a tutorial on how WE pee with jumpsuits 😂

[@rosestewart1606]

Or a tennis dress 😂

[@AskEsh]

I wonder if "You don't have a pot to piss in" came from the laddies having to use the bathroom but forgot their pot at home ahahaha

[@thepariah3516]

Ask Esh ! Just piss on the ground outside when nobodies watching.

[@beckyportland7199]

Lol you're kidding right? No one carried around chamber pots, they would be kept at the home, so if visiting guests you would use the guest's pot. Women rarely left the home for extended periods of time other than visiting friends or relatives because there was nowhere to pee. The advent of department stores was the first time women could pee outside their own or other people's homes, and it made women's lives far more easy. But no, people didn't carry around pee-stained pots, lol are you kidding?

[@musicalstarsweep1099]

+Ask Esh ! No, they saying "You don't have a pot to piss in" came from rich people who could afford chamber pots, making jokes/commentary about poor people who COULD NOT afford a chamber pot. Essentially, they were so poor they didn't have a pot to piss in. They couldn't afford to buy something considered essential in Victorian Life. That's why we use it as a saying for being poor/broke today.

[@jefferywestover8369]

Becky Portland A is

[@applejellypucci]

Isn't the complete adage, "You don't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of"? At least that's what I've heard in the past. I'm imagining chamber pots would've also been heavy. This implies they were kept at home.

[@richardarcher7177]

Fascinating video. I am writing a novel set in the 19th century and while use of a lavatory by women is hardly a major piece of subject matter, to actually know how it was done is still useful information.

[@Wavemaninawe]

The dramatic music really makes this clip. 😁 Jokes aside. Thanks for a very educational 6,5m. Didnt think that the implied activity could be this engaging.

[@parisinthe30sx]

Very informative, entertaining, And absolutely hilarious. Great video!!

[@euloh2000]

steph "

[@hannahjewel2254]

steph I

[@pelagiajose3834]

steph l

[@maureenburgan2948]

Harry Inkpot Is

[@angelaprince3482]

now thats a silly fashion

[@melissa_wale_official]

Where has this been all my life? I was holding it in during outside the house occasions, and didn't dare to drink anything at prom. Well, better late than never. Thank you so much for this!

[@kris-tkris-t3271]

Absolutely learned so much in this video then I did in school! Thank u for demonstrating for us. I’m glad I wasn’t alive back then. My dress and undergarments would have probably been dirty all the time, as clumsy as I am. 🚽😆

[@Morticia147]

I love split drawers, makes things so much easier. I started to wear them under "normal" skirts too. Eliminates all problems when it comes to public toilets and it's ooooo fast.- ---- After reading some of the comments I find it really fascinating that modern people really think, that humans in other times must have been filthy, stupid animals. Do people really think that these fashions would have been worn if there would have been a massive risk to piss on your shoes or shit in your drawers/skirts? And may I remind you of the this fantastic invention of modern times called spanks?! Wow, that plastic crap is surely supirior to an wardrobe of natural fabrics.....

[@justka4444]

👍

[@XcuddleXbearX11]

I have always admired the dresses around that time. Wish we could relive it where women were to look beautiful and the men with there suits.

[@ThatLastTeen]

+Paltse the person wants to relive the fashion as a community not the entire period. I too think it would be fun if on a day the world had a day where we were supposed to dress as a period from the 1800s

[@eveningdim7167]

+Nell Lane Aren't there neo-victorian parties?

[@ericahoang9030]

I you can make Victorian dresses easier to use like modern dresses, then go ahead. I'd support this. Although, were there different fabrics with different weather?

[@personincognito3989]

Yes the clothes were beautiful and who doesn't like a well dressed man

[@marieess3469]

Hell no. All that cumbersome clothing. And you have a distorted idea in your head if you think most women were prancing around in finery.

[@sallylemon5835]

a skirt is way easier to manage than pants, a big ass skirt still way manageable than jumpsuits. it's all about channelling and pathways.

[@juanapalacios2823]

Sally Lemon I'd say easy for you to say.Lol!!

[@aspenivy3268]

Sally Lemon so ironic.Did you see the videos on 14& 18 century dresses? they had a tool rack under that and apron is a napkin. Easier than a messy purse that can be an be stolen

[@neonsparks1465]

Sally Lemon you make it sound as if it's about controlling the force

[@js357s]

Being a guy I didn't know that. I'm interested in fashion so I appreciate you comment since I hate cloths that punish women for wearing them.

[@wuznotbornyesterda]

Why do you think the Scots wore kilts? ;-)

[@Phill75051]

Never really thought about how they used use the toilet back then. Thanks for enlightening me.

[@elsabisa5919]

Lovely combination of humor and elegance…

[@toxicgraphix]

this is a question I never thought of, ..... and even if I did, I wouldn't know the answer to, ....until now!

[@toxicgraphix]

thanks!

[@ThatLastTeen]

+TheRenaissanceman65 I don't think it's cause OP may be a man but because you're so caught up in the glamour that you don't really think of the tiny details. I'm a girl and I never would've thought about it until now.

[@SooziinCa]

We are lucky wimps these days!

[@meemee1735]

Soozi inCa

[@rachelgarber1423]

Soozi inCa Not sure that have less clothes to deal with when we use the bathroom makes us wimps

[@ddoyle11]

How on earth did I wind up here? After all is said and done, I feel more educated somehow.

[@laurynstowers2601]

If you use the toilet the “usual” way, you could sit down for a portrait and no one would ever know the difference! The painter on the other hand…he’d certainly learn a few secrets!

[@IdentityQuandry]

LOVE this! Very informative. I'm writing a book about a women's college in the 1850s South, and wondered how the bathroom habits were at that time. Thank you for this! Oh, by the way, small thing overlooked (very small, but it's the proofreader in me) You mentioned the bustle folded up like a harmonica. I think you may have meant accordian? Unless in some countries, both words are interchangeable. No matter, the content is excellent, and you are much appreciated!

[@janetduignan7559]

This is a very clever video and you are an excellent presenter/actress! Great fun and educational. Loved the Danse Macabre music too. Just hope you washed your hands afterwards (I bet the Victorians didn't!). Thanks for answering the question. Oh, and you look fantastic in a crinoline and in a bustle. Wonderful clothes. Well done.

[@Harradrush]

I dunno why youtube suggested this to me, but it was pretty interesting nonetheless.

[@xpowerchairpositivityx]

Prior Attire: Thank you for all the answers, help and inspiration you provide in your videos and other media (fb, Instagram etc) because they have helped me to begin to live the life I was born to live. I've never felt like I belonged anywhere in this world, until I started living a Victorian lifestyle. You have provided the insight and guidance I needed to live this way, so I thank you so much for being you and doing what you do and making things so funny yet so informative. Kindest regards, Lady T xx

[@spottheborgcat9653]

Thank you for that very informative and funny video. Such a delicate subject , yet handled with humor.

[@BlackSeranna]

This explains why bidets came to be - they are approached by the front and also kept the ladies smelling nicer. Well done, Prior Attire!

[@onemercilessming1342]

I had a Victorian (b, 1881) grandmother and an Edwardian grandmother (born early 20th century). BOTH of them wore corsets and split knickers up until they died (1976 and 1978, respectively).

[@louiseheeran3730]

Thank you for having the guts to make this video. It is definitely my number one burning question when I see these amazing dresses. You must have so much fun wearing these clothes because it really looks like it.

[@vivianc.c.3379]

Peeing inside the pot looks kinda powerful for some reason. Also, I can only imagine going on a dirty toilet with a train skirt on the floor.

[@thatclown6239]

Wht

[@itsMe_TheHerpes]

honey, if you had one of those in that time, you would have been upper middle class. servants would have kept the toilets very, very clean. and btw, have you seen toilets from that era ? very interesting looking, carved and decorated.

[@ellamone9998]

No they had just a hole in the ground at that time.

[@ellamone9998]

Yes I did see the video. I also saw many places in Europe where they didn't have indoor plumbing 175 yrs ago the washrooms were seperate from the big house and they kept the piss pot under the bed. The upper class lass had very fancy ceramic ones the poor man's was the same bucket used for milking cows. The clothes washing was all done outside not indoors or in barn style buildings. There was water in the hole BTW and raised slabs to place your feet, one on each side of the hole. They didn't have tissue like this video. The beds were stripped and a flame over the heavy metal netting to burn the bed bugs, they would fall to to floor and swept up. Lots of things were very different then lol I like it better now. :)

[@Crosshill]

@@ellamone9998 if you had your likeness printed in a magazine or flier, people might just wipe their arse with those pages, truly a modern people

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

A remarkable video. I had always wondered.

[@ecoxocticeternal816]

Me too

[@cynthiaweeks7724]

Here here

[@carolfoote4659]

Gentlemen, As a Civil War Medical Living History Reenactor, May I PLEASE ask you to be more attentive when using a portable, non-flushing potty . PLEASE sit and do what you need to do and NOT leave a wet mess all over the floor and seat!!! When you must work with layers and layers of material, lift them over your head, try not to step or drag your clothing in the floor mess, plus work in a very confined space, that is so hot and the odor so strong that your eyes are burning, you will start to get the idea. Please think of others who must use the facilities!!!

[@daniellogan-scott5968]

Much easier than for a man. As someone who has worn 19th century clothes on a daily basis for almost two decades, urinating is no worry, but the other requires quite a bit of time. First remove your coat, then the waistcoat to get to the braces before unbuttoning the trousers. After that no worries. The problem is when its an EMERGENCY. Its even worse with military waistcoats with ten to twelve buttons.

[@Lonsoleil]

If those dresses ever come back in style I will happily hop on the first flight to Mars.

[@isabelbarroso3381]

This is why I love the fashion of 2023. I remember when I turned 15 my parents did the traditional Quinceanera. I had to wear a hoopskirt, petticoats and a big dress the girls that participated in the event had to wear the same. WE ALL HATED WEARING THEM!

[@totallyferal9821]

the Victorian Era has such patience for everything 👀👌

[@Quaronna]

🤔

[@raisa_cherry33]

😮

[@cs-mh2dh]

Easy answer. They didn't have to go to work for big corporates where you are required to produce mass quantity with fewer people. During the Victorian era, life wasn't as busy as it is today. They had plenty of time to do what needed to be done, including spending hours getting dressed.

[@lisastoner6635]

@@cs-mh2dh Just depends on what social/economic class you belonged to. Not everyone in the Victorian era had servants to wash their clothes, do their hair and take care of all the the things that we have machines to do for us today.

[@laurelanne5071]

@@lisastoner6635 that's true, but remember poor people in Victorian times also probably only had two or three outfits, a small living space, lots of kids to help with chores, and only washed their hair once a month.

[@lennykenny7851]

I never knew I wanted to know this until now

[@superdivinestar]

😂

[@juliehock6059]

Lenny Kenny nevertheless it’s so impractical and heaven help one if diahorrea was the case.

[@Kissesmom1]

LOL LOL LOL LOL!!!

[@Sunshineonmymind714]

Underrated comment

[@k.oRocky-hh5rx]

JULIE HOCK rt? Now that I think about it.. ew? There were probably a lot of shitty royals. Gross.

[@NYC1927]

As a lover of victorian fashion (and up through the Edwardian era) I've always wondered!! Thanks for the informative video and the fun you are having doing it! LOL!

[@Jaidzeka36]

Finally a history channel that's realistic

[@jenaibrazell6243]

Ok, but wouldn't the underclothes get dirty during all that, especially with fecal matter?

[@priorattire]

in the years of wearing all that stuff and using toilet, i somehow avoided it - that's what toilet paper/ wipes are for? there i s no more soiling than on our modern underwear - just instead on knickers it is on chemise.

[@junbh2]

I guess it depends how far the split drawers split when you squat. If they open up far enough just from squatting then I guess not.

[@lindacozette9617]

Very informative! In the 50's when I was growing up my grandma STILL wore union suits with a split crotch!

[@Charlotte-wp9rf]

Linda Cozette Frederick’s of Hollywood probably still sell them. I used to buy their high heels.

[@beamoorefrank5194]

Best. Video. Ever! Yes, we always wonder about these things. Thank you for clearing up the mystery.

[@lindsaybrown7540]

I post a lot of Victorian photographs and illustrations on facebook and pretty much every single one people will comment "But how did they pee in that?!?" I think I'm going to just bookmark this video and paste it there because it's the best demonstration I've seen.

[@andrealewis2501]

My biggest question of all is what she would do if she was on her period? How they would take care of it and use the toilet.

[@2HRTS1LOVE]

Women back then didn't have nearly as many periods as modern women, either. When you marry at 16 and have 12 kids, between pregnancy and breastfeeding, that's a lot of missed periods.

[@tapolna]

ok OGSpaceCadet given the number of pregnancies back then, but still they had to deal with them when they had them. The more educated or the higher the status of the woman, it may have been the less the number of pregnancies, particularly after 1860s

[@kristineanderson4983]

I've heard they tore up rags from old cloth to use , but pads haven't been around all that long, so our great, great grannies did that too.

[@2HRTS1LOVE]

tapolna I didn't say they had NO periods, just a lot less than modern women. I actually read something on this, can't remember the exact numbers, but it was kinda shocking to see how many MORE periods women have to deal with today. Some doctors think it might contribute to the increase in ovarian cancer, because each time an egg is released for ovulation, it causes a bit of trauma to the ovary when it breaks thru the cell wall, causing the ovary to have to repair by making new cells. Cancer is an overgrowth of abnormal cells. Same thing with certain uterine cancers, because of the increased exposure to high amounts of estrogen in the first half of the cycle. Not saying it's better to have 12 kids, could be a benefit of being on the pill--you don't ovulate. It's all still a mystery in a lot of ways, even in our modern age.

[@katsu890]

OGSpaceCadet Hmm, I thought ovulation was supposed to happen monthly for women.

[@GirlSproket]

Information I didn't really think about that has now been stored in my bin of 'useless trivia information'.

[@sagaleuix2989]

I didn't know how much I needed this until I found this video 😂 Great demonstration

[@cw5451]

Thank you for indulging our curiosity these demonstrations. And you do it so cutely too!

[@salamura7034]

so it was always pretty airy down there :) but what about menstruation?

[@priorattire]

as already explained on many other comments, tampons and cloth pads with T bandage :-)

[@salamura7034]

priorattire i quickly looked thru the comments but couldn't see any relating to this topic. so thanks for explaining it again :)

[@Khamomil]

I think that the methods and materials used to deal with it were not as reliable as what exists today. It's probably one of the reasons women accepted to be housewives because by staying at home they were more able to attend to the issue when it became pressing, versus being in midtown.

[@Rosefn1ss]

Khamomil they accepted to stay home because they had no rights back then, they were man's possessions the weren't even allowed to vote.

[@Khamomil]

Man's possession? I don't think so. They were not property. They were financially dependent on men if they didn't have a dowry, but they were not chattel. They were not the head of the household, he was. They submitted to their husband as Christian doctrine requires, but the same doctrine gives them rights . Right to vote is a different matter entirely. And for all the good voting does anyway, having the right or not doesn't make a big difference.

[@lucyberger7625]

Its waaaaay past my bed time, I am trying to drag myself off the internet then I realise I have watched nearly the entire video of a woman in dress-ups showing how she pisses in her fancy Victorian dresses........I laugh to my self....then face palm.

[@user-bk2xs1mp7o]

Love how the music gets faster and more intense to the end. Like: how's she gonna do this?! And that?!!! EPIC!!! While in reality Attair just calmly smiles and slowly walks here and there.

[@hcrun]

Who is Attair??

[@user-bk2xs1mp7o]

@@hcrun I meant the author of the channel

[@Olga_Ovechkina]

@@user-bk2xs1mp7o Her name is Izabela. "Prior Attire" is not a name, these are just words, meaning "clothes of the past centuries".

[@user-bk2xs1mp7o]

@@Olga_Ovechkina I know it's just words. But if there's no information about the author it's easier to call him by the name of the channel so that everyone can understand instead of he/she or some name.

[@thecreativebohemian4927]

Lol. I had a Victorian bustle gown for my wedding and I don’t recall going to the bathroom that whole day. I was too busy to eat or drink throughout the whole reception.

[@rachaelkasper5445]

A delightful video! (The harmonica oopsie made me giggle!) This is a must-see for anyone considering wearing any garments of this kind, ever. Thank you!

[@maryklassen8114]

Weird but boy did I actually laugh a lot. The faces you made. Just cracked me up.

[@boqueronbecky6977]

Thank you for demonstrating. I used to think they had to take off their clothes to “go”. ;)

[@nicestpancake]

I'm sure if they had time and privacy they would manage to take off the skirt- but it was a question that only really lingered when reading victorian-era stories... also periods.

[@anitarani562]

Yeahhh... Me too😂

[@1Skorpia]

This is one of the questions I always wondered since seeing Gone with the wind at 15. Im 46 and feel SO SATISFIED😊

[@Nancytoday]

What an interesting video to stumble upon!

[@beachside1]

Your expressions are perfect. You would be great in a silent picture. What a great sense of humor. Priceless expressions

[@LixiaWinter]

This video is a wild ride, but also elegant and informative

[@karenwoolston9451]

They used ceramic pots with handles very similar to a gravy pot but without the spout!

[@mindrolling24]

I'm glad I'm not the only person who comes up with weird questions about the mundane activities of people in the past!

[@Tekrothebountyhunter]

This was surprisingly interesting and informative. Thank you for teaching me something new today.

[@bookcrazy001]

I watched a few of your videos so far and now I gotta subscribe. These explanations are so great. It always annoyed me trying to explain to ppl that you shouldn't wear traditional underwear with old Victorian gowns. Now I can just reference this video 😁

[@silkq]

I loved this video! I had always wondered and it is indeed easier than I thought. The wiping still seems icky and tedious. Thank you for the video!

[@ivysolano6957]

When it's 3 am and KZbin already knows you live for these random videos at this time

[@domikm1767]

charming, hilarious and unpretentiously informative THANK YOU!

[@jsjwalker]

I read a lot of regency and Victorian romances and I love your videos. I help to visualize what I’m reading.

[@lissainlenoir]

I was taught that if you knew you were going out to an event that would involve being in public or strange buildings, that you avoided eating that day as much as possible in order to avoid having BM and having to "make water" too many times. My grandma was born in the 1890s and her mother who was born in the civil war explained all this to her.

[@ezra9012]

this is a really adorable video, like it's super informative and everything but the woman explaining everything is so sweet and charismatic!! :)

[@alixena9340]

Split drawers !! Ahaa. Easy access for a bit of rumpy pumpy too.

[@sonyareeder7855]

Still seems like their clothing could get wet.

[@Morticia147]

No, because they new how to use a toilet in them, like we do today.

[@AdeleRoth]

Thanks. I love historical fiction and have often had this question. Your answers were funny and tastefully done😊