Changing clothes fashions for women

As the Great War progressed women’s roles were changing. Women had more independence than ever before, many women were now the head of their household, managing their homes, bringing up their children and taking on new jobs as well as voluntary work.

The changing status of women was reflected in new relaxed fashions for women. Shorter skirts made walking easier and looser styles (with no constricting corset underneath) allowed easier movement for women constantly busy with new roles and responsibilities.

At the beginning of the Great War women’s fashions were conservative and restrictive, St Neots Advertiser 18th September 1914

Radical changes in women’s clothing were underway by 1916, St Neots Advertiser, 7th July 1916