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Women were being hampered and bound by their clothing well past the turn of the twentieth century. Even when playing tennis, women wore hats, jackets with tight sleeves, long cumbersome skirts, and gloves.
In 1905, Mary Sutton created a shocking sensation when she wore one of her father's shirts at Wimbledon, and actually rolled up the sleeves because of the heat. In 1922, Suzanne Lenglen wore short skirts, bright sweaters at Wimbledon, and a bandeau to keep her hair back instead of the traditional hat. Stockings were worn for tennis until the 1930s. At this time, hats were finally put to rest. In 1932, Alice Marble played tennis in white shorts, shocking the audience's delicate sensibilities.
The Second World War made a big impact on women's fashion, as women working in factories and in other jobs traditionally done by men now were wearing slacks. Comfort gained some access to women's clothing by the 1920s with the debut of women's trousers. Not only did this fashion change make life more comfortable for women, it had a loosening effect on other hobbling items of women's apparel. Comfort and greater freedom of movement were making substantial inroads. Flared tennis dresses made the scene in 1947, and in 1949. Gussie Moran graced Wimbledon in knickers trimmed with lace.
Tennis wasn't the only scene of radical revolution in the emancipation of women from the clothing that previously tyrannized them. During the same era that women loosened the ties that bound them on the tennis court, the bicycle rolled its way into the United States. Men hopped on and their world instantly became more mobile. This was not the case, however, for women. But women were determined to get on board.
This wasn't as easy as you might think. The view of the day was that women on bikes could be downright dangerous, to themselves and possibly to others. And then of course, women's enormous skirts probably did make bicycling dangerous.
The path from bulky skirts to women's clothing that was practical on a bike was long, twisting and arduous. Early on, a contrivance was launched that was essentially a woman's skirt around her legs and held in place with a buckle. When she dismounted from the bike, she would undo the buckle and be back to her demure feminine self. Another favored type of biking outfit involved bloomers, an item called leggins, and a corset.
My dear, whenever you think about some of the inconveniences you deal with, picture our sisters from not much earlier times, being held captive by yards of material for reasons that now seem ridiculous. The next time you jump on your bike, appreciate your shorts, or leggings, or skinny jeans. Revel in the fact that the deciding factor as to whether or not you'll wear spandex is your own level of bravery and bravado. Enjoy the wind on your bare arms and legs, as you pedal with abandon. Our sisters from an earlier time could only dream of such freedom.
Jody Smith is a freelance writer for EmpowHER.com.
Sources:
Women and Bicycles
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/bicycling/a/women_bicycles_fashion.htm
Emancipation of Women From the Skin Out: Evolution of Action Wear
Dress Emancipation for Women Through Sports
The History of Women's Fashion in Tennis
http://www.sportspundit.com/tennis/articles/457-the-history-of-women-s-fashion-in-tennis
Related Links:
This Winter Season, Wear Shorts
http://www.empowher.com/emotional-health/content/winter-season-wear-shorts
Should EKG's Be Required for Student Athletes?
http://www.empowher.com/cardiac-arrest/content/should-ekgs-be-required-student-athletes
An In-Depth look At Exercise Bikes
http://www.empowher.com/obesity/content/depth-look-exercise-bikes
