American fashions, Winter 1891 Fashion Plate Collection, 19th Century Claremont Colleges Digital Library During the 1850s, women's clothing played a crucial role in keeping them warm, especially during winter months. 1. Layering: Women wore multiple layers of clothing, including a chemise, corset, petticoats, and a 1840 1850s Winter Walk Fashion Through Herstory What DO flappers wear underneath? Sherilyn Decter