Glossary

Deutsch: Poschen / Español: polisón / Português: rolo de anca / Français: bourrelet / Italiano: imbottitura per anca

Bumroll refers to a padded undergarment worn around the waist underneath skirts to enhance the silhouette by pushing the fabric of the skirt away from the body at the hips. This historical fashion accessory was popular in the late 16th and early 17th centuries and is a precursor to later forms of bustles and crinolines.

Description

In the fashion context, the bumroll served to create an exaggerated horizontal width around the hip area, dramatically altering the wearer's profile. It was typically a crescent-shaped cushion tied around the waist and was especially prevalent in European fashion. The purpose of the bumroll was to support the heavy fabrics of the outer garments and provide a structured look that was fashionable at the time.

This fashion accessory allowed women to modify their body shapes according to the prevailing beauty standards of the era, which favored wide hips and a full-bodied skirt. The use of bumrolls declined as fashion moved towards different silhouettes, such as the more vertical lines popular in the late 17th century.

Application Areas

Bumrolls are primarily of interest today in the study of historical fashion and costume design. They are used in theatrical productions, historical reenactments, and films to achieve accurate period costumes from the Renaissance and early Baroque periods.

Well-Known Examples

One of the most iconic periods in which bumrolls were used extensively was during the reign of Elizabeth I of England. The Elizabethan fashion often featured this accessory as part of the elaborate and highly structured dresses worn at court.

Similar Terms

Related terms include farthingale (a hoop skirt or a structured petticoat designed to expand the volume of a woman's skirt), pannier (a framework worn to extend the width of skirts at the side), and bustle (a padded undergarment used to add fullness or support the drapery at the back of women's dresses in the 19th century). All these terms describe different historical methods for shaping women's skirts to achieve the desired fashion silhouette of their respective periods.

Summary

The bumroll is a historical fashion accessory used to enhance the hip silhouette, reflecting the aesthetic ideals of the late Renaissance. Its study offers insights into the evolution of fashion and the societal norms that influenced women's body image and clothing styles.

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