The Evolution of Women’s Clothing

1042 Words3 Pages

“For as long as men and women have been wearing clothing, there has been a hierarchy based on garments. The clearest example arose when the sexes were segregated into skirts and pants: women would only wear dresses (a symbol of submission) and men would only wear trousers (proof of domination). Women’s clothing was created to impede and hamper movement (through tight or many layered skirts), while men enjoyed the ease and comfort of pant legs.” (Meza, Echazarreta) Women’s fashion throughout the ages can be used to trace the history of equality between men and women. As women achieved greater independence, they claimed the right to choose what they wore, and that included women being able to wear pants. There are three things that were instrumental in making it socially acceptable for women to wear pants, they include: the invention of the bicycle, WWII, and influential women.
How Things Were
Early 19th century clothing for women was designed for style and beauty, sadly, this left practicality, safety and comfort completely out of the picture. Corsets, which were worn to slim the waist and lift the chest, presented many serious health concerns for women. These vices that women wore on their bodies increased their blood pressure and made breathing very difficult. Fainting was so commonplace that a fainting couch was designed and present in most households Prolonged wearing of corsets weakened back and stomach muscles to the point that some women, who had worn corsets for many years, struggled to hold themselves upright without them. If cinched to tightly, they had the power to bruise the internal organs and push them out of alignment, causing sever health issues. (Berkowe)
The skirts women wore were not much better. They wore lo...

... middle of paper ...

...and independent.

Works Cited

1. Meza, Jessica, and Acacia Echazarreta. "A Brief History of Skirts and Pants." A Brief History of Skirts and Pants. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.

2. Berkowe, Heather. "What Are the Dangers of Old Fashioned Corsets? | EHow." EHow. Demand Media, 02 Apr. 2011. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.

3. Adam. "A Tale of Two Tragedies ~ Invisible Paris." A Tale of Two Tragedies ~ Invisible Paris. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.

4. Van Alten, Mary. "Weeklysilence Just Another WordPress.com Site." Weeklysilence. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.

5. "Do Clothes Make the Woman." Haute Doll. Jones Publishing Inc., May 2013. Web.

6. Hammond, Colleen. "Dressing with Dignity - History of Women's Fashion Industry - How to Fight Sexual Revolution and Immodesty in Dress!" N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013.

7. Macy, Sue. "The Devil's Advance Agent." N.p., Oct. 2011. Web.

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