[Homer_J_Simpson]

Early 1800's dresses were certainly more reasonable looking than mid-century. Many of the examples I looked at have a seam just below the bosom (empire waist?) and then fall naturally over hips to the ankles. How that evolved into the hoop skirt-shuttlecock look I have no idea.

I agree early 20th century fashions are also nice. From around late teens through 1930's especially.

[Tax-chick]

Yes, that’s the (Napoleonic) Empire style. The cut is flattering for the slender and comfortable for the plump (or pregnant). Skirts stayed reasonable into the 1840’s, and then exploded into shuttlecocks.

Only for the well-off, of course. The poor still wore rags.