To accommodate the very full, wide skirts of the mid-19th century, women wore a wired cage or hoopskirt. Shown is an illustration of "...a new and useful article..." as it appeared in Peterson's Magazine in December 1858.

Separate undersleeves, often decorated with lace or broderie anglais, were worn with the wider shaped dress sleeves of the 1850s.

Soft kid side lace boots were worn outdoors. While indoors, Victorian ladies wore heeled flat shoes or slippers. Shown are ivory kid boots that have a Philadelphia label.

The fashionable lady of the mid-19th century carried a  small reticule or purse, often made with colorful glass beads or cut steel beads. The small antique reticule or Victorian purse, is a rare 19th century French purse knitted with  rust, green and white silk then decorated with silver cut-steel beads.

In the 19th century, silk parasols were popular for strolling. Often they were decorated with lace, fringe, and tassels. This silk parasol has a folding or 'carriage' handle.

In the Mid-19th century lady's bonnets were made in every imaginable color. This silk bonnet is created with brown silk and decorated with purple silk ribbons. Added red and yellow flowers complete the colorful hat.