The suffragettes were the militant wing of the votes for women movement in Britain in the early 20th century. The name was coined to satirize them, but they subverted that by making the name their own. It was a movement that transcended class boundaries. The meetings were timed so that women might be able to attend after their working day. A kitchen maid's clothing would consist of a simple cotton print dress and a long white cotton apron to protect it. The cook sleeves protected the dress and could be changed frequently to maintain hygiene in the kitchen. She would wear a white cotton cap to cover her hair. Women in service might work a 12-hour day, had little time off, virtually no rights, and no union representation. And, of course, they had no vote. Without a vote, they could be completely ignored. They were almost invisible. The maids would share rooms and would wash in cold water. The combination garment made of white cotton and with open legs was a simple and popular choice of undergarment. The open legs meant that it was possible to use the lavatory without undressing. Stockings came in many colors and designs, but plain black remained a practical choice for the working women. The front fastening corset was worn over the combinations and didn't require any help to put on. It had two pairs of suspenders to support the stockings, which were clipped into place. The corset could be adjusted to fit by pulling the lacing cords at the back and tying them off either at the front or the back of the waist. A corset cover was worn which added a layer of warmth and concealed the details of the corset, which might otherwise be visible. A petticoat completed the undergarments. The suffragettes were militant, but they wanted, through their dress, to give the impression of conformity and were keen to avoid accusations of spinsterish masculinity. Delicate white blouses known as shirtwaists embodied the Edwardian ideals of femininity, and white became a key symbolic colour of the movement. The shirtwaist had ties about the waist to help keep it firmly tucked in when active. Skirts were walking length, made from linen or wool, and usually had deep pockets. Fastenings were often concealed in the design and closed at the side front. Hand-knitted cardigans were more readily affordable by hard-working young women than tailored wool coats and jackets. Boots were low-heeled or flat and comfortable enough to wear not just when standing or marching, but when running, too, as suffragettes occasionally needed to move quickly to get out of trouble. Some even trained in the self-defense art of jiu-jitsu to protect themselves and others from assault. The cardigans were closed with shell buttons, often in the large overstated size fashionable at the time. When required, suffragettes would carry with them the means of militancy, such as a small toffee hammer perfect for breaking windows, though if caught, they risked imprisonment and often brutal treatment. The wearing of delicate feminine gloves helped belie the militancy of their intentions. Three colors were chosen to represent the movement: purple for loyalty and dignity, white for purity, and green for hope, although in America gold replaced the color green. Ribbons were sold in the three colors, and, if one could afford it, themed accessories were available, too. Poorer suffragettes often spent more money on clothes than they could comfortably afford, and most managed to invest in the striped ribbon to decorate their hats and make rosettes and sashes. A hatpin helped keep the hat secure but also offered a means of self-defense if required. Meetings, marches, and militancy kept the movement alive until the outbreak of war, when the movement ended. In 1918, a limited number of women over the age of 30 were given the vote. But it would be another 10 years before the British women's entitlement to vote equaled that of British men.
great video. so many layers of clothing! looks like so much work, but then again I have a 10 step skincare routine so who am I to talk
Very nice video!
This is actually really interesting.
This was such a cool video. Other than the corset, the clothes actually look very comfy :) but maybe that’s because I love cardigans so much. I’ve never learned about the dress of suffragettes before, thank you for making this!
The level of detail! Not just in the attire, but also in some of the historical facts. Loving the attention to detail, even telling us what might have been in their pockets.