Peter Clenott

This volume of the Sports She Wrote series offers a comprehensive exploration of 19th-century women's athletic fashion, featuring 124 articles written by 80 women (125,000 words) between the Civil War and 1900, published in dozens of periodicals. Illustrated with 130 images, this collection showcases the intersection of fashion and sport, from the scandalous practicalities of swimwear to the refined elegance of ice-skating ensembles. Spanning a wide range of physical activities, including golf, tennis, horseback riding, hunting, cycling, swimming, skating, mountaineering, physical fitness and more, these articles delve into the evolution of sportswear as a pivotal aspect of the dress reform movement of the 1800s. Amidst the social constraints of Victorian-era fashion, athletic women rebelled, ushering in innovations such as shorter skirts, practical footwear, and adaptable attire for the New Woman’s healthful physical activities. Controversy surrounded garments like bloomers and knickerbockers, challenging societal norms and inspiring debates over femininity and functionality. Corsets were shunned and tennis shoes became fashionable. Offering insights into the social impact of women's athletic attire and its enduring influence on contemporary fashion, this volume serves as a fascinating time-capsule of the evolution of style and women's self-expression in the 19th century. Sports She Wrote is a 31-volume time-capsule of primary documents written by more than 500 women in the 19th century.