Amelia Bloomer
The Lady Gaga of Her Time
She may not resemble Madonna or Lady Gaga, but Amelia Bloomer was just as outrageous in her day. Female fashion at the time consisted of tightly laced corsets, layers of petticoats and floor-length dresses. But the radical Ms Bloomer began to advocate the wearing of loose bodices, ankle-length pantaloons and even a dress cut below the knees. This was sexual revolution, one kneecap at a time.
Way back in 1849, before blogging, tweeting and sexting, Bloomer published her outspoken views in her own bi-weekly publication, “The Lily”.
“When you find a burden in belief or apparel, cast it off”. This was no LOL matter.
She was also a fearless public speaker, taking on the dull male establishment of the time.
“The costume of women should be suited to her wants and necessities. It should conduce at once to her health, comfort, and usefulness; and, while it should not fail also to conduce to her personal adornment, it should make that end of secondary importance”.
Despite ‘Bloomers’ being constantly ridiculed by society at the time, Ms Bloomer remained a suffrage pioneer and writer throughout her life.
Text by Howard Collinge- The Unique Creatures
