How Cycling Clothing opened doors for Women
Christine
Ro, The Atlantic, April 15, 2018
Advances
in biking gear had an impact on advances in gender equality. An Object Lesson.
in biking gear had an impact on advances in gender equality. An Object Lesson.
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| Bloomers-style bicycling outfits were popular in the late 19th century. Bettmann / Getty / Katie Martin / The Atlantic |
I was
rushing to a 10 a.m. meeting with the director of the organization where I had
just started working. In an attempt to look less disheveled than usual, I was
wearing a long, red skirt. And I was cycling rapidly to get there in time.
Cycling
became gradually harder the closer I got to work. Eventually, I couldn’t ignore
the resistance to my pedaling, and I saw the culprit: The bottom of my skirt
had gotten entangled in the bike spokes. I tried to extricate it gently. When
this didn’t work, I started yanking. The skirt tore off unevenly, the ends
marked by unsightly patches of bike grease. I looked like I’d gotten into a
fight with an urban fox, and lost.
became gradually harder the closer I got to work. Eventually, I couldn’t ignore
the resistance to my pedaling, and I saw the culprit: The bottom of my skirt
had gotten entangled in the bike spokes. I tried to extricate it gently. When
this didn’t work, I started yanking. The skirt tore off unevenly, the ends
marked by unsightly patches of bike grease. I looked like I’d gotten into a
fight with an urban fox, and lost.
Dressing
for a commute should be straightforward. Yet this becomes more complicated when
the commute involves a bicycle, and when the clothing is intended for a woman.
for a commute should be straightforward. Yet this becomes more complicated when
the commute involves a bicycle, and when the clothing is intended for a woman.
Pants,
like bicycles, have long been associated with mobility. Despite confining each
leg, or more accurately because they confine each leg, pants allow greater freedom
of movement: freedom from worrying about exposing too much skin, freedom from
updrafts, and, as my skirt slaughter shows, freedom from flowing material
getting stuck where it shouldn’t.
like bicycles, have long been associated with mobility. Despite confining each
leg, or more accurately because they confine each leg, pants allow greater freedom
of movement: freedom from worrying about exposing too much skin, freedom from
updrafts, and, as my skirt slaughter shows, freedom from flowing material
getting stuck where it shouldn’t.
This
isn’t trivial. Victorian-era newspapers reported (and perhaps sensationalized)
female cyclists dying because of massive skirts that blew up and obscured their
view, or dresses that wrapped around their pedals. A letter published in
the Daily Press in 1896, for instance, commented of a cyclist’s
death, “I think she failed because she could not see the pedals, as the
flapping skirt hid them from her view, and she had to fumble for them. Could
she have taken but a momentary glance at their position, she would have had a
good chance to save her life.” Critics seized
upon such tragedies to argue that women were unsuited to ride bikes. For some,
it was more convenient to blame women’s audacity in mounting a bicycle than the
restrictive clothing that made doing so perilous.
isn’t trivial. Victorian-era newspapers reported (and perhaps sensationalized)
female cyclists dying because of massive skirts that blew up and obscured their
view, or dresses that wrapped around their pedals. A letter published in
the Daily Press in 1896, for instance, commented of a cyclist’s
death, “I think she failed because she could not see the pedals, as the
flapping skirt hid them from her view, and she had to fumble for them. Could
she have taken but a momentary glance at their position, she would have had a
good chance to save her life.” Critics seized
upon such tragedies to argue that women were unsuited to ride bikes. For some,
it was more convenient to blame women’s audacity in mounting a bicycle than the
restrictive clothing that made doing so perilous.
As is
traditional with things that allow women
greater freedom, both women’s cycling and women’s cycling pants have
occasioned plenty of moral panic. During the 1890s, when bicycling exploded in
popularity among the middle and upper classes in the United Kingdom,
journalists and others condemned female cyclists for their wantonness. Women on
bicycles were pelted with objects and obscenities. These unchaperoned women,
some people worried, could be pedaling away to engage in prostitution
or lesbianism.
traditional with things that allow women
greater freedom, both women’s cycling and women’s cycling pants have
occasioned plenty of moral panic. During the 1890s, when bicycling exploded in
popularity among the middle and upper classes in the United Kingdom,
journalists and others condemned female cyclists for their wantonness. Women on
bicycles were pelted with objects and obscenities. These unchaperoned women,
some people worried, could be pedaling away to engage in prostitution
or lesbianism.
Cycling
trousers, along with women on bikes, were also a target of ridicule. English
travelers reported wistfully in 1890s travel memoirs and periodicals like The
Rational Dress Gazette that the French were more nonchalant about women wearing
pants on bikes. (It’s possible that they went too far in the other direction,
as until 2013 it was officially
illegal for women to wear pants in Paris unless they were on bikes
or horses.)
trousers, along with women on bikes, were also a target of ridicule. English
travelers reported wistfully in 1890s travel memoirs and periodicals like The
Rational Dress Gazette that the French were more nonchalant about women wearing
pants on bikes. (It’s possible that they went too far in the other direction,
as until 2013 it was officially
illegal for women to wear pants in Paris unless they were on bikes
or horses.)
Bloomers,
essentially voluminous trousers tied at the ankle and often worn under short
skirts, had been popularized back in the 1850s by the women’s rights activist
Amelia Bloomer. And in the 1870s, the United Kingdom experienced a
penny-farthing fad—one of several bicycling crazes. A penny-farthing, or
high-wheeler, consisted of a large wheel, where the cyclist would perch,
connected to a smaller wheel. This was largely a trend for affluent young men,
and it’s likely that the few women who participated needed to borrow men’s clothing to
do so. It would be decades before clothing intended for women–including
bloomers and convertible cycle wear—were widely seen on female cyclists.
essentially voluminous trousers tied at the ankle and often worn under short
skirts, had been popularized back in the 1850s by the women’s rights activist
Amelia Bloomer. And in the 1870s, the United Kingdom experienced a
penny-farthing fad—one of several bicycling crazes. A penny-farthing, or
high-wheeler, consisted of a large wheel, where the cyclist would perch,
connected to a smaller wheel. This was largely a trend for affluent young men,
and it’s likely that the few women who participated needed to borrow men’s clothing to
do so. It would be decades before clothing intended for women–including
bloomers and convertible cycle wear—were widely seen on female cyclists.
The
pivotal period for women’s cycling clothing was the 1890s cycling craze, when
the standard modern bike (the “safety bicycle”) became trendy. This period is a
focus of Kat Jungnickel, a University of London cycling sociologist and the
author of Bikes and Bloomers: Victorian Women Inventors and Their Extraordinary
Cycle Wear. The related Bikes and
Bloomers project, led by Jungnickel, excavates the cycling garments
patented by Victorian women in the 1890s, and reconstructs certain designs. To
see the heavy and mechanically inventive Victorian designs on contemporary
London cyclists is jarring. In today’s fast-fashion, ready-to-wear,
athleisure-loving world, these garments are clearly relics.
pivotal period for women’s cycling clothing was the 1890s cycling craze, when
the standard modern bike (the “safety bicycle”) became trendy. This period is a
focus of Kat Jungnickel, a University of London cycling sociologist and the
author of Bikes and Bloomers: Victorian Women Inventors and Their Extraordinary
Cycle Wear. The related Bikes and
Bloomers project, led by Jungnickel, excavates the cycling garments
patented by Victorian women in the 1890s, and reconstructs certain designs. To
see the heavy and mechanically inventive Victorian designs on contemporary
London cyclists is jarring. In today’s fast-fashion, ready-to-wear,
athleisure-loving world, these garments are clearly relics.
As part
of the rational dress movement, which sought to make the conventional clothing
of the Victorian era more comfortable, cycling helped to highlight the utter impracticality
of corsets. Many of the 1890s designs also reappropriated the
bloomers of several decades earlier. Innovators were creating new designs for
bloomers and combining breeches with skirts in various ways.
of the rational dress movement, which sought to make the conventional clothing
of the Victorian era more comfortable, cycling helped to highlight the utter impracticality
of corsets. Many of the 1890s designs also reappropriated the
bloomers of several decades earlier. Innovators were creating new designs for
bloomers and combining breeches with skirts in various ways.
And they
were often obscuring bloomers altogether. Convertible cycling garments
frequently involved hardware such as weighted pulleys, hooks, and elaborate
straps. Because cycling trousers were so contested in the United Kingdom and
the United States, one way for women to limit harassment was to combine the
feminine appearance of skirts with the practicality of pants. Ida M. Rew’s “athletic suit
for ladies,” patented in 1895, hid trousers under a full skirt and
attached them to a bodice.
were often obscuring bloomers altogether. Convertible cycling garments
frequently involved hardware such as weighted pulleys, hooks, and elaborate
straps. Because cycling trousers were so contested in the United Kingdom and
the United States, one way for women to limit harassment was to combine the
feminine appearance of skirts with the practicality of pants. Ida M. Rew’s “athletic suit
for ladies,” patented in 1895, hid trousers under a full skirt and
attached them to a bodice.
But some
activists, including members of ladies’
bicycling associations, disparaged these convertible designs
precisely for their ability to hide in plain sight. It was argued that
increasingly mobile women—whose lifestyles increasingly demanded practical
clothing—needed to be publicly visible. Obvious sports attire also helped to
make the general public more comfortable with the idea of women in pants. As
the Bury and Norwich Post and Suffolk Herald reported on December 2, 1890,
“Public opinion seems to be very indulgent to innovations that have a real raison
d’être and are not the outcome of any particular theory.” Women in cycling
trousers eased the way for women in trousers more generally.
activists, including members of ladies’
bicycling associations, disparaged these convertible designs
precisely for their ability to hide in plain sight. It was argued that
increasingly mobile women—whose lifestyles increasingly demanded practical
clothing—needed to be publicly visible. Obvious sports attire also helped to
make the general public more comfortable with the idea of women in pants. As
the Bury and Norwich Post and Suffolk Herald reported on December 2, 1890,
“Public opinion seems to be very indulgent to innovations that have a real raison
d’être and are not the outcome of any particular theory.” Women in cycling
trousers eased the way for women in trousers more generally.
Thus,
around the turn of the 20th century, cycling pants were a focus for anxieties
and excitements about changing notions of acceptable femininity. As Jungnickel
writes, “women’s cycle wear became visual shorthand for the ‘New Woman’ who was
identified by her desire for progress, ‘independent spirit, and her athletic
zeal.’” This idea of women’s cycling pants as a symbol of gender relations
would persist.
around the turn of the 20th century, cycling pants were a focus for anxieties
and excitements about changing notions of acceptable femininity. As Jungnickel
writes, “women’s cycle wear became visual shorthand for the ‘New Woman’ who was
identified by her desire for progress, ‘independent spirit, and her athletic
zeal.’” This idea of women’s cycling pants as a symbol of gender relations
would persist.
Pants
became more acceptable garments for British and American women during the world
wars, when women on the home front were increasingly called upon (and allowed)
to do what had previously been seen as men’s work. Cycling pants, like pants
for factory, agricultural, and eventually
office work, had both practical and symbolic advantages. They helped
to legitimize women’s presence in traditionally male spheres.
became more acceptable garments for British and American women during the world
wars, when women on the home front were increasingly called upon (and allowed)
to do what had previously been seen as men’s work. Cycling pants, like pants
for factory, agricultural, and eventually
office work, had both practical and symbolic advantages. They helped
to legitimize women’s presence in traditionally male spheres.
Claire
McCardell, a sportswear designer, helped make women’s cycling pants more
fashionable. While less sleek than today’s designs, they were clearly much more
functional than baggy bloomers or Inspector Gadget–style convertible cycle
wear. McCardell’s postwar bicycling culottes were a streamlined version of the
hybrid skirt/trousers of the turn of the century. The volume hinted at the
shape of a skirt, but the bifurcation of the pant legs aided cycling.
McCardell, a sportswear designer, helped make women’s cycling pants more
fashionable. While less sleek than today’s designs, they were clearly much more
functional than baggy bloomers or Inspector Gadget–style convertible cycle
wear. McCardell’s postwar bicycling culottes were a streamlined version of the
hybrid skirt/trousers of the turn of the century. The volume hinted at the
shape of a skirt, but the bifurcation of the pant legs aided cycling.
The
cycling fashion transformations that followed were, like the embrace of sewing
machines and patent culture in the Victorian era, partly rooted in an embrace
of technology. An American chemist invented spandex in the late 1950s,
following innovations with other stretch fabrics. Synthetic textiles allowed
designers to move away from the weight of wool and the stickiness of silk. The
spandex brand Lycra would become particularly associated with cycling getups
like bib shorts, whose shoulder straps were more comfortable than the complicated
systems pioneered by the Victorians.
cycling fashion transformations that followed were, like the embrace of sewing
machines and patent culture in the Victorian era, partly rooted in an embrace
of technology. An American chemist invented spandex in the late 1950s,
following innovations with other stretch fabrics. Synthetic textiles allowed
designers to move away from the weight of wool and the stickiness of silk. The
spandex brand Lycra would become particularly associated with cycling getups
like bib shorts, whose shoulder straps were more comfortable than the complicated
systems pioneered by the Victorians.
This has
been for good and for bad. Driver hostility to cyclists sometimes manifests in epithets like
“Lycra loonies” and the assumption that Lycra-clad cyclists are
affluent, aggressive, and entitled. (To be fair, dedicated cycling clothing
remains pricey, so there’s a reasonable association with high income.) This
belief makes some drivers less cautious
around the spandex set.
been for good and for bad. Driver hostility to cyclists sometimes manifests in epithets like
“Lycra loonies” and the assumption that Lycra-clad cyclists are
affluent, aggressive, and entitled. (To be fair, dedicated cycling clothing
remains pricey, so there’s a reasonable association with high income.) This
belief makes some drivers less cautious
around the spandex set.
But the
synthetic-clothing revolution has disproportionately benefited male cyclists.
Take saddle sores, which aren’t limited to horse riders. Hardcore cyclists are
familiar with the redness and chafing that can afflict the delicate regions
that come into contact with a bike saddle. A cyclist can increase comfort by
adjusting the riding position and saddle. But another important element is
clothing, and it took a surprisingly long time for cycling performance clothes
to integrate women’s needs.
synthetic-clothing revolution has disproportionately benefited male cyclists.
Take saddle sores, which aren’t limited to horse riders. Hardcore cyclists are
familiar with the redness and chafing that can afflict the delicate regions
that come into contact with a bike saddle. A cyclist can increase comfort by
adjusting the riding position and saddle. But another important element is
clothing, and it took a surprisingly long time for cycling performance clothes
to integrate women’s needs.
The
chamois is the padded segment of bike shorts, which helps to cushion a
cyclist’s sensitive parts. While modern bike shorts with foam chamois have
existed since the 1980s, it took years
for chamois designers to commonly adjust the cuts and levels of padding to suit
women’s anatomy (such as wider sit bones). There’s still a remarkable lack of
innovation targeting cyclists who want to ride during
their periods, given that cycling shorts are designed to be worn
without underwear.
chamois is the padded segment of bike shorts, which helps to cushion a
cyclist’s sensitive parts. While modern bike shorts with foam chamois have
existed since the 1980s, it took years
for chamois designers to commonly adjust the cuts and levels of padding to suit
women’s anatomy (such as wider sit bones). There’s still a remarkable lack of
innovation targeting cyclists who want to ride during
their periods, given that cycling shorts are designed to be worn
without underwear.
This
isn’t to say that bike shorts in performance fabrics are necessary for the
average person on a bike. It’s striking that in cities with bike-friendly
infrastructure or culture, like Amsterdam or Beijing,
bike shorts and even helmets aren’t standard parts of cycle wear. As Bella
Bathurst, the author of The Bicycle Book, has written
of Copenhagen’s cycling culture, “Sites such as CopenhagenCycleChic.com make it
plain that on a bike with a skirt guard and a step-through frame, it’s
perfectly possible to pedal across town with stilettos, two children, and
several large items of kitchen furniture.”
isn’t to say that bike shorts in performance fabrics are necessary for the
average person on a bike. It’s striking that in cities with bike-friendly
infrastructure or culture, like Amsterdam or Beijing,
bike shorts and even helmets aren’t standard parts of cycle wear. As Bella
Bathurst, the author of The Bicycle Book, has written
of Copenhagen’s cycling culture, “Sites such as CopenhagenCycleChic.com make it
plain that on a bike with a skirt guard and a step-through frame, it’s
perfectly possible to pedal across town with stilettos, two children, and
several large items of kitchen furniture.”
Of
course, the image of effortless bike-riding chic creates its own gendered
expectations of women remaining fresh and decorative even during physical
exertion. Yet for ordinary use, for ordinary people, technical bike clothing
may seem inaccessible or outlandish. As women’s everyday wear has become more
comfortable and affordable, it’s become increasingly practical to cycle in ordinary
clothes, with specialized bike shorts and pants more the preserve of
competitive cyclists or those who take riding seriously.
course, the image of effortless bike-riding chic creates its own gendered
expectations of women remaining fresh and decorative even during physical
exertion. Yet for ordinary use, for ordinary people, technical bike clothing
may seem inaccessible or outlandish. As women’s everyday wear has become more
comfortable and affordable, it’s become increasingly practical to cycle in ordinary
clothes, with specialized bike shorts and pants more the preserve of
competitive cyclists or those who take riding seriously.
In fact,
plenty of people have argued that focusing on cyclist clothing and helmets can
actually be a barrier to safety, as it spreads the perception that cycling is
dangerous. This both reduces the safety-in-numbers effect of abundant cyclists,
as in Amsterdam, and diverts responsibility for cycling-safe conditions from
policy makers to individuals, as in many American cities.
plenty of people have argued that focusing on cyclist clothing and helmets can
actually be a barrier to safety, as it spreads the perception that cycling is
dangerous. This both reduces the safety-in-numbers effect of abundant cyclists,
as in Amsterdam, and diverts responsibility for cycling-safe conditions from
policy makers to individuals, as in many American cities.
Lycra is
also of limited use for women whose cultural traditions don’t align with
skin-tight clothing. One Saudi cyclist, Baraah Luhaid,
kept having to deal with her abaya (a robe-style dress) getting stuck in her
bike chain. This inspired her to create and pursue a patent for a cycling abaya
with legs. Luhaid is one of a number of designers seeking to integrate activewear
with Islamic dress. And her DIY attitude is a clear link to the Victorian women
with their sewing machines, creating their own cycling garments and claiming
ownership of them.
also of limited use for women whose cultural traditions don’t align with
skin-tight clothing. One Saudi cyclist, Baraah Luhaid,
kept having to deal with her abaya (a robe-style dress) getting stuck in her
bike chain. This inspired her to create and pursue a patent for a cycling abaya
with legs. Luhaid is one of a number of designers seeking to integrate activewear
with Islamic dress. And her DIY attitude is a clear link to the Victorian women
with their sewing machines, creating their own cycling garments and claiming
ownership of them.
In
modern-day Saudi Arabia, as in Victorian England, a new piece of clothing isn’t
going to alter gender roles by itself. It only became legal for Saudi women to
bike in 2013, and even then only in certain public spaces, in the presence of a
male guardian. And in areas where women’s cycling isn’t regulated but is still
unusual, as in
Zimbabwe, gender-based harassment may be rife, even before shorts
enter the picture.
modern-day Saudi Arabia, as in Victorian England, a new piece of clothing isn’t
going to alter gender roles by itself. It only became legal for Saudi women to
bike in 2013, and even then only in certain public spaces, in the presence of a
male guardian. And in areas where women’s cycling isn’t regulated but is still
unusual, as in
Zimbabwe, gender-based harassment may be rife, even before shorts
enter the picture.
Their use
has waxed and waned based on class, time period, and culture. But women’s bike
pants are iconic of a kind of mobility and bodily autonomy that parallels
advances in gender equality more generally.
has waxed and waned based on class, time period, and culture. But women’s bike
pants are iconic of a kind of mobility and bodily autonomy that parallels
advances in gender equality more generally.
