1893 — World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago IL

The bloomer was abandoned, not because of any fault in the garment itself. The bloomer costume was excellent. It did not fatigue us. When we undressed we felt no great sense of relief, as we do when we put off these heavy garments. We could walk in the streets without getting our clothing all mud, and come hoe without having great heavy skirts to brush. We could go ups stairs without stepping on ourselves, and go downstairs without being stepped on. But useful as the bloomer was, the ridicule of the world killed it. It suffered the usual fate of anything that is forty years ahead of its time. We laid it aside with regret, but the freedom we gained or our feet did not make aments for the torment of our spirit, and we had to go back into long skirts. Times have changed since then. Now dress reform can be talked about without brining ridicule and abuse on the heads of its advocates. Dress reform is discussed by the newspapers without being sneered at. This is as it should be. We who fought the first battle do not repine at victory’s tardy coming. We were ahead of our age and generation.

Source: The Arena, Volume IX, ed. B.O. Flower, (Boston: Arena Publishing Co, 1893), pp. 306-307.