OMG, did they have to go to the workhouse and wear those ugly dresses too? Apparently, the women went on a hunger strike and were forcefed. In the movie, a senator's wife was in there and he is the one who leaked the inhumane treatment they were experiencing to the press.
The ladies' demonstration was basically standing in front of the White House with signs being "Silent Sentinels". Alice Paul went up and threw quotes from President Wilson about equal rights, freedom etc. into a fire. I am surprised they were arrested during the Democratic Convention? I could understand the Republican Demonstration, they were just itching to arrest people in NYC. Back to the topic of dress at that time. (I apologize about my previous post as I was interrupted three times and then just pressed "send" without rereading it.) Reform dress is of great interest to me as I am sure women really wanted out of those corsets as they pursued more autonomy in society. I thought it strange that much of the dress still required corsets though. Hillary Swank's character is shown wearing skirt like pants but they are high wasted, the style surely would have required a corset. The older ladies are certainly wearing older styles, more directoire -- very wasp waist, flat front dresses, the front swallow breast with no great big bustle on the back but definitely had a little bump and the bigger hair with wide hats. The girls had more modern hats, started out with long hair and shirtwaists with neckties. For evening you saw lots of chiffon and georgette. The girls also went swimming and I want one of their suits! Kathy _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
