Question

how was the concept of ideal womanhood shaped?

Answer 1

The notions of weakness and dependence were reflected in women's clothing in the following ways:

• Women had to wear a tight corset to attain a small waist and appear attractive. The painful clothing was considered necessary as suffering pain was deemed essential to being a woman.

• Girls had to wear tight stays that were designed to mould their bodies into smaller frame.

• Women had to wear traditional feminine clothes that included long skirts which were voluminous and difficult to handle.

• Women who adopted newer forms of clothing faced opposition as they were deemed unattractive and not possessing of grace.