Question

who were the important women activists who organised associations for dress reforms ? what werethere man demands

Answer 1

Some important women activists for dress reforms during the 19th century were;

1. Mrs. Amelia Bloomer - She was the first American dress reformer who launched loose tunics to be worn over ankle-length trousers.
2. Elizabeth Smith Miller – Introduced short skirt and trouser.
3. A few others like; Angeline Merritt Jeanette C Robert E. Riegel wrote books on womens’ dress reforms.
4. With the support of Christian missionaries, Shanar women (from India) who were converted as Christians, began wearing tailored blouses and cloths to cover themselves after much fight.
5. Mrs. Stanton, head of National Woman Suffrage Association and Lucy Stone, head of American Woman Suffrage Association campaigned for dress reforms.
6. Jnanadanandini Devi, wife of Satyendranath Tagore introduced Brahmika sari wherein the sari had to be pinned to the left shoulder with a brooch, and worn with a blouse and shoes.

Their main demands were:

1. To change the position of women.
2. Rational dress - During the world wars, women had to work their livelihood and for that comfortable and convenient clothes were required.
3. Freedom and independence of women.
4. Woman Suffrage was one of the main demands.
5. For health purpose dresses should be simplified and stays and corsets should be abandoned.