Gym suit
1896
Cotton twill
Museum purchase
Object numberP84.7.1
Women of the late nineteenth century often wore garments with full “bloomer” trousers for gym exercise or calisthenics, which was part of the curriculum at many women’s educational institutions. In 1895, writer C.H. Crandall advised that “men do not object in the least” to gym styles, “so long as the touch of femininity, of modesty, is never lost.”
DescriptionGymnasium suit: blue cotton twill; all-in-one bodice and bloomers; V neck; 2 stitched pleats forming flanges over both fronts and backs; 2 piece vent cuff with turn back cuff, long sleeve; bloomer with button cuff bottoms; 3 button closing across back waist; 4 self covered button asymmetrical front closing; left side snap closing on bloomers.Collections
Exhibitions