This section is from the "A Complete Dictionary of Dry Goods" book, by George S. Cole. Also available from Amazon: A complete dictionary of dry goods and history of silk, cotton, linen, wool and other fibrous substances,: Including a full explanation of the modern processes ... together with various useful tables.
Petticoat. A skirt; formerly the skirt of a woman's dress or robe, frequently worn over a hoop or "crinoline;" now, an underskirt worn by women and children. Although the petticoat has been relegated to an inferior position among feminine wearing apparel, it nevertheless is being year by year composed of superior materials. At present it is made of silk of the rustling sort, a fashion which fifty years ago would have impressed the average feminine mind as wantonly extravagant. However, the recent innovation bids fair to become a permanent and popular style, and much might be said in its favor. Silk is an agreeable and healthy material. Used in dress it retains the electricity of the body; its hues reflects the sun-beams, giving them a quicker brilliancy, and it heightens colors with a charming light. It possesses an element of cheerfulness of which the dull surfaces of wool and cotton are destitute. It also promotes cleanliness, will not readily gather dirt, and does not harbor vermin as kindly as wool does.
 
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