Question

On what grounds wore traditional feminine clothes criticised? How would reforms of dress change the positions of women?

Answer 1

Traditional feminine clothes were criticised on a number of grounds:
(i) Long skirts swept the ground and collected filth and dirt. This caused illness.
(ii) The skirts were voluminous and difficult to handle.
(iii) They hampered movement and prevented women from working and earning. Reform of the dress was essential because it would change the position of women. It was said that if clothes were comfortable and convenient, then women could work, earn their living and become independent.