Submitted by omniicrafter t3_11y7a5r in books
paper_swan t1_jd6kfw0 wrote
I haven’t read that book, but yes. Potentially. The book was published in the mid 1800’s, and clothes were so different back then. She probably would have had several layers of clothing, including underskirts and a ‘frock’ that went over it all and could have been heavier (even wool). It makes sense to me that if she went out while it was actively snowing, she could have lifted that back part of her skirt up over her head and wrapped it around her arms, while still having her behind covered by the rest of her garments.
Mehitabel9 t1_jd6l4bh wrote
This right here. What the author is describing is an overskirt.
omniicrafter OP t1_jd6lvri wrote
That makes sense!! thank you for the quick and informative response. 😊
batedkestrel t1_jd73oq7 wrote
I’m not sure if this would be interesting or not, but there are a pile of historical costuming videos from Crow’s Eye on YouTube, which take you through outfits of various periods in great detail. I found them fascinating https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx0IRLJNwjho-6Pkv8hR0yiFIEe_HmG_j
omniicrafter OP t1_jd82u29 wrote
This is fascinating!! thank you so much! ❤
batedkestrel t1_jd8tz1z wrote
No problem: enjoy!
500owls t1_jd9ir6e wrote
this is beyond merely interesting. Thanks for sharing!
batedkestrel t1_jd9sk9m wrote
Not at all: I love finding out things like this
catbrane t1_jd83esl wrote
Exactly! It's also worth stressing /why/ they wore these crazy clothes: houses were barely heated at all.
There's a scene where Jane looks out over the garden and through the frost on the inside of the window. Houses had fireplaces, and you could warm up if you stood by the fire, but most of most rooms was very cold, and below zero C in winter.
They wore many, many layers of clothing because it was a vital part of keeping warm. You'll notice Jane doesn't dress up to go out, she just steps out into the snow. All she needs to do to be in effectively outdoor winter gear is lift the outermost layer of fabric over her arms and head haha.
Jessicamorrell t1_jd6lmnp wrote
Yup. Exactly this. As someone who loves wearing this form of clothing, it is doable.
HistoryGirl23 t1_jd7gcin wrote
Yes. All the layers that go into 1830s clothing, and the excessive fabric in the skirt makes it very possible.
maryfamilyresearch t1_jd94cwp wrote
Take a look at this photo of an 1830s to 1850s frock:
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