Bloomerism Collection

Suffragette - Womens Rights - Bloomerism
A woman wearing bloomers is stopped by a Policeman from entering a Ladies Public Toilet as she is wearing bloomers, which PC Plod views as unsuitable for a lady! Date: 1913

Barred from Womens Lecture for wearing bloomers
A woman wearing bloomers is stopped by a Vicar from entering a Lecture (for Women Only !) as she is wearing bloomers, which Rev Self Righteous views as totally unsuitable for a lady! Date: 1911

Huntsman jumping a fence and interfering with
Huntsman jumping a fence on an old nag and interfering with the pack of hounds. Facey Romford irritating Jonathan Lotherington during a hunt. Romford disturbs the dignity of his Hunt

Old gentleman with gout in an invalid chair talking with a young woman in bloomers, 19th century
6337318 Old gentleman with gout in an invalid chair talking with a young woman in bloomers, 19th century by Leech, John (1817-64) (after); (add.info)

Bloomerism 1852
Cruikshanks Exhibition of Bloomers in Hyde Park - a satire on the fashion which Amelia Bloomer made famous Date: 1852

Womens Rights - Popularity of wearing Trousers as a choice mildly satirised in this humorous 1910s cartoon postcard. Date: circa 1910s

Lady in Harem pants draws amazed reactions
A rotund lady draws breath (it appears she has been wound in to a VERY tight corset!) as she ascends some steep stares, but also draws gasps of astonishment from three gentleman

New Woman - Rebuked by parents
A New Woman in her modern outdoor attire draws a rebuke from her parents, captioned with a quote from Shakespeare (Titus Andronicus Act V Scene 3): " Why Art Thou thus attired

Bloomerism in 1852
THE PROGRESS OF BLOOMERISM The new fad spreads and is adopted by ladies of all ages

Bloomers 1850
Bloomerism - an American custom

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"Bloomerism: Pioneering Women's Rights Movement of the 19th Century" In the midst of a society dominated by rigid gender norms, bloomers emerged as a symbol of defiance and progress for suffragettes fighting for women's rights. The year was 1852 when this revolutionary fashion trend took center stage, challenging societal expectations and sparking controversy. One incident that epitomized the battle against traditional gender roles occurred when a group of brave women wearing bloomers were barred from attending a prestigious women's lecture. Their audacity to don these scandalous trousers threatened the established order, causing an uproar among those who believed in preserving patriarchal dominance. The movement faced opposition at every turn, with even huntsmen jumping fences to interfere with these bold ladies' right to express themselves through their attire. However, not all encounters were confrontational; there were instances where an old gentleman suffering from gout sat in his invalid chair engaging in enlightening conversations with young women proudly sporting bloomers. Bloomerism quickly gained momentum throughout the 19th century as more women embraced this liberating style. It became synonymous with advocating for equal rights and shattered stereotypes surrounding femininity. The popularity of wearing trousers among women challenged conventional notions about appropriate clothing choices based on one's gender. Amidst this wave of change, there were awe-inspiring moments that left society astounded – like witnessing a lady confidently strolling down the street adorned in harem pants, drawing amazed reactions from passersby. These courageous acts served as reminders that progress often comes hand-in-hand with shock and disbelief. However, not everyone welcomed this new era known as "Bloomerism. " Parents rebuked their daughters who dared to embrace such radical ideas and questioned their commitment to tradition. Yet these young rebels persisted because they understood that true equality required breaking free from oppressive norms imposed upon them solely due to their gender.