E7 The History and Politics of Women's Clothing

Join us as we unpack the intersection of women’s fashion, societal expectations, and the impact of historical events and political influence on women’s clothing. Learn why we wear the clothes we do, how morals and politics affected what women were allowed to wear throughout history, and in what ways we are still controlled by these cultural biases. Listen along as we discuss women’s health, the rational dress movement, military uniforms, and pockets!   Show Notes Takeaways: Fashion has often been a reflection of societal norms and expectations. The Rational Dress Movement aimed for practical and comfortable clothing for women. Pockets in women's clothing have historically been associated with rebellion and independence. Women's fashion has evolved significantly during times of war, reflecting their changing roles in society. The suffragette movement embraced pockets as symbols of empowerment and agency. Historical fashion trends often prioritized aesthetics over practicality for women. The chaos of ADHD and menopause can influence personal experiences and perspectives on life. Women's clothing has been a political statement throughout history, often tied to social movements. The evolution of women's clothing continues to be influenced by cultural and societal changes. Understanding the history of women's fashion can provide insight into contemporary issues of gender and identity. Chapters: 00:00 The Chaos of Everyday Life 00:36 The Politics of Women’s Fashion  05:57 Historical Context of Women’s Clothing  09:22 The Corset Controversy: Beauty vs Health 13:27 Women in War: Fashion and Morale During the Civil War 17:29 The Rational Dress Movement: A Call for Practicality 22:25 World Wars and Women’s Roles: Shifts in Fashion and Duty 27:53 The Roaring Twenties: Liberation and the Flapper Era 30:25 Post-War Gender Roles and Domesticity 33:12 Fashion Evolution: From Corsets to Pants 36:00 The Significance of Pockets in Women’s Fashion 41:24 The Historical Context of Women’s Clothing and Pocket 44:00 The Symbolism of Pockets and Gender Policing 49:03 The Politics of Pockets  51:44 Uniforms and Gendered Design  54:50 The Struggle for COmfort and Functionality 56:17 Historical Perspectives on Women’s Clothing 59:06 Marginalized Voices in Fashion History 01:01:34 The Future of Women’s Fashion References: Engel, K. L. The Rational Dress Reform Movement. Amazing Women in History. Retrieved 8 3, 2025, from https://amazingwomeninhistory.com/the-rational-dress-reform-movement/  Forman-Sarno, O. (2024, 2 7). Scandalous or Progressive? A History of Victorian Dress Reform. The Science Survey. Retrieved 8 3, 2025, from https://thesciencesurvey.com/spotlight/2024/02/07/scandalous-or-progressive-a-history-of-victorian-dress-reform/ How Clothes Rationing Affected Fashion In World War 2. (n.d.). Imperial War Museums. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/how-clothes-rationing-affected-fashion-in-the-second-world-war  Maisey, S. (2025, August 21). The surprisingly political history of pockets in women's clothing | The National. The National News. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/luxury/2025/08/21/the-surprisingly-political-history-of-pockets-in-womens-clothing/  Trousers as women's clothing. (2025, 4 12). Wikipedia. Retrieved 8 3, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trousers_as_women%27s_clothing    Contact Information: Find Murder of Crones on You Tube, Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram.  Email : [email protected]   Special Thanks to www.dinnissendesign.com for Zabrina’s use of their show room for recording. Check them out for all your interior design needs. Dinnissen Design is located in Vancouver and Castlegar BC.