Where does the cuirass bodice get its name and why?

The cuirasse bodice came into fashion in the mid 1870s and continued into the early 1880s. The bodice takes its name from the cuirass, a piece of close fitting defensive armor worn over the torso or chest.

What is a cuirass bodice?

T he Dictionary of Fashion History (2010) defines a cuirass bodice as: “a sheath-like bodice that fit tightly over the hips producing a long-line dress silhouette.” The bodice extends into a point below the waistline in front and back.

When was the second bustle era?

1880s
Late Bustle, 1880s Bustle or Second Bustle Era came back strong in 1883 and lasted until 1889 when women had had enough of making their back side look disproportionally huge with the rest of body.

What are Victorian dresses called?

As the bodices grew longer in 1873, the polonaise was thus introduced into the Victorian dress styles. A polonaise is a garment featuring both an overskirt and bodice together. The tournure was also introduced, and along with the polonaise, it created an illusion of an exaggerated rear end.

Who wears a cuirass?

The Japanese cuirass Tankō, worn by foot soldiers, and keikō, worn by horsemen, were both pre-samurai types of early Japanese cuirass constructed from iron plates connected by leather thongs. During the Heian period (794 to 1185), Japanese armourers started to use leather as a material and lacquer for weatherproofing.

What does the word cuirass mean?

piece of armor
1 : a piece of armor covering the body from neck to waist also : the breastplate of such a piece. 2 : something (such as bony plates covering an animal) resembling a cuirass. Other Words from cuirass Example Sentences Learn More About cuirass.

Why were Victorian dresses so big?

More efficient technology for producing clothing meant that more fabric could be used, resulting in bigger and grander skirts. The crinoline enabled this growth, since its primary function was to support the weight of fabric and provide a rounded shape.

What would a rich Victorian girl wear?

Rich women wore corsets under their dresses. At the beginning of Victoria’s reign it was fashionable to wear a crinoline under a skirt. These hoops and petticoats made skirts very wide.

Did Victorian ladies wear makeup?

The use of excessive makeup in the Victorian age was viewed as promiscuous and would only be seen on performers or prostitutes. Societal women did not want it known that they wore cosmetics so their beauty rituals were not publicized or discussed.

What is a full cuirass?

A cuirass (/kwɪˈræs, kjʊəˈræs/; French: cuirasse, Latin: coriaceus) is a piece of armour that is formed of a single or multiple pieces of metal or other rigid material which covers the torso. The use of the term “cuirass” generally refers to both the chest plate (or breastplate) and the back piece together.

Did Romans ever wear leather armor?

Despite its popularity in dramatisations and art, leather torso armour of any type almost certainly did not exist in Europe before the 11th century CE. Yes, that’s right, all those Roman centurions wearing tight body-shaped cuirasses are probably the result of some costume designer’s overactive imagination.