Here we have a cartoon, circa 1855, apparently meant to illustrate the topsy-turvy effect of bloomers on relations between the sexes. Clearly the artist was rather appalled, but frankly I see a woman after my own heart.
According to the accompanying description, “In this scene a woman is asking her boyfriend’s father for permission to marry his son.” The original caption read:
“Before I can entertain your proposal, and give my consent to your marrying my son, I must ask you, whether you are in a position – a – to – a – keep him in the style to which – a – I may say – he has always been accustomed? Ahem!”
It looks to be part of a series for the magazine Punch, drawn by the artist John Leech. He also did panels featuring the proposal itself:
And a more general depiction of these outrageous bloomer-wearers smoking and reading—gasp!—the papers. Oh the times! Oh the customs!
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Photo via Hulton Archive/Getty Images.
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Still here. Still without airbrushing. Still with teeth.
