What is a crinoline and how do you care for it? A crinoline, also called petticoat or petticoat, is a women’s undergarment intended to fluff up a skirt and give it more of a bell shape. It can be made of ruffled fabric or netting and is closely associated with the popular full-circle skirt style of the 1950s. Whether new or vintage, these crinolines require special help to keep them bright and vibrant.

Here are some ideas on how to correctly fluff and shape your crinoline net and how to remove wrinkles. Sometimes the wrinkles will go away on their own if you hang the crinoline up for a day or two. This is the first thing you should do with a crinoline. It is especially helpful to fluff up and separate the layers of the net and gently shape the net. Give him a couple of shakes too. Note: It is ok to hang it up for a day or two just to shape it, but crinolines should be stored rolled up in a bag, otherwise they will lose their volume as they are dragged down by their own weight. You can also steam out stubborn wrinkles with your hand iron’s steam function. Do this by first laying the crinoline on the ironing board so that only one layer of netting is exposed. Place a pressure cloth over the crinoline. Set the iron on the “delicate” setting and press the crinoline onto the pressure cloth so the mesh doesn’t burn. Any remaining wrinkles can be fluffed out by hanging the crinoline up and gently spraying it with steam from the iron’s steam function. Just remember: steam is very hot! Don’t touch the crinoline with the iron, or you will burn the mesh. If you are lucky enough to have an actual garment steamer, hang the crinoline up and steam the crinoline from the inside, facing out. The net will instantly swell. Don’t have access to an iron or steamer? Hang the crinoline in your bathroom. Turn on the hot water in the shower all the way. Close the bathroom door and let it steam. Go in every few minutes and smooth the net. Or put it in the dryer on the fluff cycle and let it run for a few minutes, then hang it up and carefully separate the layers, shaping the crinoline as you go.

Hanging crinolines in a closet is useful, but it’s only good for temporary storage. Store your crinoline rolled up in a plastic or travel or canvas bag. Actual “crinoline bags” can also be purchased at square dancing costume and supply stores. You can roll up your crinoline without creating new wrinkles like this: Stand holding the crinoline in front of you with the waistband at chin height and the crinoline hanging down. Tuck the waistband under your chin and use your arms to gently fold the crinoline from the sides toward the center so you end up with a long, vertical tube. Gently press on the air as you do this. Now start rolling from the bottom up, again gently press the air. Once you’ve rolled up to the top, you’ll have the waistband section to wrap the net around tightly. When you need it again, you’ll have the waistband to hold on to while you unroll the crinoline. Don’t let your pet find the way to your precious crinoline and turn it into her personal throne! Pets love to nestle in crinolines, and not only is their hair difficult to remove, but they will also flatten your crinoline.

Tired of colour? Crinolines can be dyed. Here’s how to lighten or change the color of a crinoline. Make sure you use a dye that works for nylon fabric. A crinoline needs two packages. Most people use “Rit” dye. Rit dye and clothing dye in general can be found at your local craft store or chain variety store. Fill the washing machine with hot water, then mix the dye according to the instructions on the package. Just be sure to run the washing machine through an extra cycle after you finish dyeing the crinoline. This will ensure that no extra dye is left in your washer! Yellowish crinolines can be bleached. Simply dip a cup of washing powder in enough hot water to cover the crinoline. Soak for 30 minutes, rinse and hang to dry. To easily “fresh” your crinoline, simply place it in a dryer on the fluff cycle a few minutes before wearing.

Crinolines add vitality to your circular skirt. They’re so much fun when you’re dancing and can add a splash of color and sass. A good one will last with proper care and storage to give you years of ruffled fashion.

Fun fact: Did you know that in the 1950s they used to make their crinolines stiff by immersing them in a sugar water bath? This is called “starch sugar”. That’s how they used to do it. Mix a couple of cups of sugar in a large bucket of warm water. Once the sugar is dissolved, submerge the crinoline and let it soak for a couple of minutes. Take out the crinoline, let it drip, and then find a place to hold the crinoline to dry in the right way. Some women placed wet crinolines on a large bush in the garden to make them full and fluffy.