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Historical Costumes Trivia Quiz

A fashionable quiz on historical costumes!

A multiple-choice quiz by sassyfrass. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
sassyfrass

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
32,904

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
5158

Last 3 plays: Guest 88 (10/10), RoninWoman (7/10), stevroll (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What was the name given to the three-cornered hat that was popular in the 18th century? Hint

fashion alert

mob cap

tricorne

stetson

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Question 2 of 10

2. Up until the mid-to-late 19th century, what material was more commonly used to stiffen corsets and the like? Hint

Steel

Whalebone

Plastic

Cardboard

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Question 3 of 10

3. A dress with the skirt draped up in the sides and back, by means of buttons and tapes, is called what? Hint

A Pet-en-l'air

A sack dress

A robe a la polonaise

A short gown

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Question 4 of 10

4. Up into the mid-19th century, what convenience was not sewn into dresses? Hint

Corsets

Underwear

Pockets

Lining

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Question 5 of 10

5. The art of cutting the top fabric to reveal the fabric underneath was often called what? Hint

Ripping

Slashing

Revealing

Exposing

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Question 6 of 10

6. In the 18th century, when women's hair, literally, was at height of fashion, what was the main risk that a woman took when walking inside a house? Hint

Ridicule

Lice

Hair falling out

Fire

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Question 7 of 10

7. Cotton is to 21st century as which of these is to 18th century? Hint

Silk

Taffeta

Satin

Linen

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Question 8 of 10

8. When wearing stockings, what was (and still is) also worn to keep them up? Hint

Additional stockings

Rubber bands

Garters (suspenders)

String

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Question 9 of 10

9. What was often fastened or sewn to the front on the inside of the corset to keep it straight? Hint

A shoe

A busk

A fan

Another corset

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Question 10 of 10

10. Also called a shift, this undergarment's other name is what? Hint

Gown

Breeches

Blouse

Chemise

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 19 2024 : Guest 88: 10/10
Dec 19 2024 : RoninWoman: 7/10
Dec 11 2024 : stevroll: 9/10
Dec 07 2024 : Guest 81: 10/10
Dec 06 2024 : Guest 89: 9/10
Dec 04 2024 : Guest 104: 7/10
Dec 02 2024 : Guest 103: 6/10
Nov 25 2024 : Guest 72: 8/10
Nov 18 2024 : Guest 66: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was the name given to the three-cornered hat that was popular in the 18th century?

Answer: tricorne

Commonly worn by men, but sometimes also by women.

2. Up until the mid-to-late 19th century, what material was more commonly used to stiffen corsets and the like?

Answer: Whalebone

The most common element (whalebone) wasn't the only material used to stiffen corsets. Reeds, wood, broomstraw, and glue-stiffened fabric were also used.

3. A dress with the skirt draped up in the sides and back, by means of buttons and tapes, is called what?

Answer: A robe a la polonaise

The skirt was draped up for walking, dancing and, of course, fashion!
An alternate spelling is 'polonese'.

4. Up into the mid-19th century, what convenience was not sewn into dresses?

Answer: Pockets

Pockets were usually worn in pairs around the waist and under the petticoat. They were most often lavishly embroidered.

5. The art of cutting the top fabric to reveal the fabric underneath was often called what?

Answer: Slashing

This first became popular in the 1500s.

6. In the 18th century, when women's hair, literally, was at height of fashion, what was the main risk that a woman took when walking inside a house?

Answer: Fire

Unfortunately, sometimes their hair was so tall that it would touch a chandelier and catch fire. Other risks included: neck strain, difficulty in balance and falling over because of the weight and awkwardness.

7. Cotton is to 21st century as which of these is to 18th century?

Answer: Linen

In the 18th century and other times up until the 19th century, cotton was relatively expensive, but linen was fairly cheap. Today it is quite the opposite!

8. When wearing stockings, what was (and still is) also worn to keep them up?

Answer: Garters (suspenders)

Garters (or in British English, suspenders) held the stockings up so they wouldn't fall down. The most widely used alternative to garters in the 19th century and first sixty years or so of the 20th century was to fix the stockings to a corset.

9. What was often fastened or sewn to the front on the inside of the corset to keep it straight?

Answer: A busk

These were worn to keep the front of the corset straight. In the mid-to-late 19th century and early 20th century they sometimes closed up the front of a corset to make the dressing process easier.

10. Also called a shift, this undergarment's other name is what?

Answer: Chemise

The shift, or chemise (its French name) was worn right next to the skin to help keep the corset and outer clothes clean. It was also worn in bed when sleeping.

Source: Author sassyfrass

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor spanishliz before going online.
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