1880s

The 1880s marked a period of revolution in women's dress and the democratization of fashions. Women entered the workforce as typists, secretaries, or telephone operators and demanded an acceptable form of work clothing. Work clothing began to closely follow the popular fashions. During the 1880s, there was also a new emphasis on physical health and sporting activities. A new type of clothing was necessary for women participating in outdoor activities. Mass produced clothing, mail-order clothing, and the emerging department stores all helped standardize women's dress and allowed the rural dwellers to keep up with the urban dwellers and the lower classes to keep up with the wealthy.

What type fashion do you see in your historic image?