Fashion has always been a clear marker for change in history. In the nineteenth century, many change occurred: new means of transportations, changing work environment and new societal demeanour could be observed in New York City. The advent of ready-made clothing brought the different classes closer to one another and this change in style reflected the changing mores of society concerning the place of women in the city. The growing industry, opening of shopping malls and the subsequent changing habits helped define the “new woman” as their position in society and toward the men shifted.
For starters fashion had always been a means to show one’s status to others, with the apparition of shopping malls and the rising of ready-made clothing industry people could now purchase better clothing for a lesser price thus reducing the gap between classes. As the industrialization of clothing rose, it led to the standardization of prices which enabled women to have access to better clothing for the same price. Before, haute couture was reserved to high-class society; however with the introduction of ready-made clothing, working-class women could now purchase clothing mimicking haute couture at a fraction of the price which helped enhance their status. The shopping malls also became a place to socialize with the other sex without supervision much like the dancing clubs. It enabled social interactions both between women and with the opposite sex. Moreover women began to have access to better education and where breaking in new fields of work, such as medicine, college teaching and ministry work, has they became more involved politically. …show more content…
For example, in the 1890’s trough 1920’s women began to meet in circles to discuss of current affairs and the possible actions that could be taken. One of the most prominent conversation groups was held by Mabel Dodge, where multiple women from different background assembled and discussed of society’s problems. Women began to have radicalized ideas and vindicate for equality has they became aware of others struggles. The “new women” took actions through art as well as public demonstrations; they would shock the public by exposing controversial pieces of art advocating the importance of birth control or the unreasonable working conditions of factories. They brought a sense of “modernity” to the city has they endeavoured to change the outdated habits of its residents. Of course, women kept in touch with the on-going fashion trends has they protested in the streets in order to remind people that they were first and foremost respectable ladies. No amount of radicalism could stop a woman from being stylish. However, the growing industry of ready-made clothing in which the bulk of employees consisted of women did not have adequate work regimentations. For example, in 1905 women tailors were expected to sew two times more rapidly than their 1900 counterparts, plus unreasonable work hours could be added to the absurd quotas. Those conditions led the working-class women to engage in strikes in the late 1900’s. Women from all classes later joined the strikers as support for their rights which increased the weight of their demands. Other cities soon followed the example of the New York City strikers. Yielding under the pressure employers agreed to a fifty-two hour week and an increase of twelve to fifteen percent of the workers wage. Unfortunately nothing had been done
For starters fashion had always been a means to show one’s status to others, with the apparition of shopping malls and the rising of ready-made clothing industry people could now purchase better clothing for a lesser price thus reducing the gap between classes. As the industrialization of clothing rose, it led to the standardization of prices which enabled women to have access to better clothing for the same price. Before, haute couture was reserved to high-class society; however with the introduction of ready-made clothing, working-class women could now purchase clothing mimicking haute couture at a fraction of the price which helped enhance their status. The shopping malls also became a place to socialize with the other sex without supervision much like the dancing clubs. It enabled social interactions both between women and with the opposite sex. Moreover women began to have access to better education and where breaking in new fields of work, such as medicine, college teaching and ministry work, has they became more involved politically. …show more content…
For example, in the 1890’s trough 1920’s women began to meet in circles to discuss of current affairs and the possible actions that could be taken. One of the most prominent conversation groups was held by Mabel Dodge, where multiple women from different background assembled and discussed of society’s problems. Women began to have radicalized ideas and vindicate for equality has they became aware of others struggles. The “new women” took actions through art as well as public demonstrations; they would shock the public by exposing controversial pieces of art advocating the importance of birth control or the unreasonable working conditions of factories. They brought a sense of “modernity” to the city has they endeavoured to change the outdated habits of its residents. Of course, women kept in touch with the on-going fashion trends has they protested in the streets in order to remind people that they were first and foremost respectable ladies. No amount of radicalism could stop a woman from being stylish. However, the growing industry of ready-made clothing in which the bulk of employees consisted of women did not have adequate work regimentations. For example, in 1905 women tailors were expected to sew two times more rapidly than their 1900 counterparts, plus unreasonable work hours could be added to the absurd quotas. Those conditions led the working-class women to engage in strikes in the late 1900’s. Women from all classes later joined the strikers as support for their rights which increased the weight of their demands. Other cities soon followed the example of the New York City strikers. Yielding under the pressure employers agreed to a fifty-two hour week and an increase of twelve to fifteen percent of the workers wage. Unfortunately nothing had been done