During the Victorian and Edwardian eras, bustles and crinolines were essential undergarments that shaped the fashionable silhouette. Crinolines - first stiffened petticoats, later cage-like structures - created the voluminous bell-shaped skirts of the mid-19th century. As styles evolved, the bustle emerged, shifting fullness to the back of the dress and emphasizing a dramatic rear profile. These structural garments not only defined the era’s aesthetics but also reflected ideals of femininity, modesty, and social status.