Women began wearing pants in the late 19th century for bicycling due to the practicality of pants over skirts or dresses. Pants were initially large and baggy for bicycling but were later adopted for other physical activities like farming, sports, and during World War II when women took over men's jobs. Throughout the early 20th century, women gradually integrated pants into more casual settings through items like panties, pajamas, and evening wear before pants became common daywear in the 1960s and 1970s as attitudes toward women's fashion evolved.
2. Women wearing pants is a commonality
today, but the idea wasn’t really introduced
until the late 19th century; it all started with
bicycle pants.
3. Bicycle Pants
• Pants = idea of no worries of catching or
wearing a bustle
• However:
– Still large and baggy
– Still a chance of getting
caught
4. Other Purposes
• Riding
• Farm work
• Mining/coal work
• Sports (starting in
the 20th century)
1896
1910ish
