Mrs. Christen’s Miscellanea is proud to be the Sole Distributor of:
Dresden Drygoods' Custom-Made Cage Crinolines


An example of a 90" cage

**For proper fit, please send your waist and hip measurements in your period
underpinnings and the length from your waist to the floor.**

                      90" (Circumference at bottom bone)...................................................................$135.00
                      100" (Circumference at bottom bone).................................................................$145.00
                      110" (Circumference at bottom bone).................................................................$155.00
                      Boning to the waist, front lacing & bustle package: ................$45.00 extra

Other sizes than those listed here can also be made for you at a comparable price.
We also offer an ever growing variety of other kinds of 'skirt supporters' such as bustles, etc.
Just let us know what you are looking for and we can work with you on your special projects.

Ready to place an order? Just send me a message at gwjchris@earthlink.net
Please include mailing address when placing order.
Payments should be sent to:

Mrs. Christen's Miscellanea
28078 Universal Dr.
Warren, MI 48092
(Sorry, no credit cards. Personal checks or money orders only. Time payments are also an option)

Some 'Hoop Facts' to help you pick your size cage.

What They Did Then:

Hoop skirts diameters were generally between 40% and 60% of the woman's height.

Period hoops ended approximately 6"-10" from the floor.

Period petticoats were generally 2"-3" shorter than the skirts over them.

Skirt hems were generally between 1"-4" off the floor.

Why We Should Do The Same Now:

The 19th century way of wearing hoops and petticoats are just as valid today as in the 1860's:

Oversized hoops not only distort your silhouette, but they are much more difficult to maneuver.

Shorter hoops prevent women from catching their feet in the bottom bones or hoops.
Shorter hoops also offer more modesty when leaning over. The skirt will hang straight 
down below the hoops even as the hoop is pushed up and away from the body.

Petticoats are worn over hoops to soften the lines of the hoop bones, to block
see-through in the skirt and mask the 'drop off' effect of the shorter hoops.

Petticoats are worn shorter than the skirt to keep them out of sight under your skirts.

Skirts worn from 1" to 4" off the ground keep you from tripping, but still keep your ankles covered.

Too often women wear skirts too short &/or hoops too full for their height & fullness of their skirts.

Your skirt should be full enough to drape in grace folds over your hoop and petticoats.

A smaller hoop is not only more accurate, but it is more attractive and also easier to manage.