White Cotton Balloon Detachable Undersleeves

Victorian Early / Crinoline · 1850s · American

A pair of white cotton undersleeves designed to be worn beneath dress sleeves for modesty and cleanliness. Each sleeve features a full, gathered construction that tapers from a wide shoulder opening to a fitted wrist cuff. The wrist cuffs appear to be finished with decorative trim or lace edging. The sleeves are made from lightweight cotton fabric that would have been washable, making them practical undergarments. These detachable sleeves allowed Victorian women to maintain propriety by covering bare arms while keeping their outer garments clean, as the undersleeves could be removed and laundered separately from the dress.