Easter is celebrated around here for many families with a roast leg of lamb. The Sepia Saturday theme this week seems particularly appropriate for the holiday for you cannot look at the two cycling ladies without noticing their fashionable leg o'mutton sleeves. The style was all the rage at the time this illustration depicts.
From Wikipedia:
"The leg o’ mutton sleeve (also known as the gigot sleeve) acquired its name because of its unusual shape; incredibly voluminous at top and tapering just below the elbow, this facet of fashion resembled a lamb shank. First seen in 1824, this sleeve style grew in both popularity and size until 1833. In fact, by the end of its billowing fame, the leg o’ mutton sleeve was so big, the stiff horsehair fabric once used to maintain its shape was no longer sufficient. Instead, whalebone supports, large feather-stuffed pads, or steel springs were used to keep the leg o’ mutton sleeve looking perfectly pillowy."
In this1897 advertisement in The Graphic for Elliman's Universal Embrocation, you can see a radical costume - the woman is skirtless in public and she is wearing "rationals" or "knickerbockers" or "bloomers" for bicycle-riding. She has a little necktie as well. The whole outfit (top and bottom) was known as a "bicycle suit". I was surprised to see that you can still buy Elliman's. A product that has stood the test of time.
Leg o'mutton sleeves at their most extreme were so wide that women had to turn sideways to get through doors. Fortunately, it's one fashion that didn't last and now we ride our bicycles in whatever feels most comfortable. My nephew on his tricycle, 1963, was wearing as little as possible which seemed to make him very happy. An agile little guy, he appears to be attempting to ride backwards.
And here I am as a youngster with my bicycle in our backyard. I think I'm wearing a skirt which would have been uncomfortable. I have a feeling this photo may have been one of those "last photos on a roll" things and my father wanted to get the film developed.
Last but not least, my grand-nephew Chris, circa 2012 in his bike racing regalia. I wonder what the Battersea ladies would think about his hat.
Happy Easter to all my fellow Sepians! Pedal on over to Sepia Saturday for bicycle stories.
A bicycle suit; whoever would have thought? Charming photos Helen but you need to visit Mr Linky again.
ReplyDeleteQuite a progression in hats from 1897 to 2012. Funnily enough I featured that same advert in a post about cycling some years ago - it obviously evokes something.
ReplyDeleteWell, we lost the leg-o-mutton sleeves, but we back-tracked a bit to those big wide shoulder pads in the 40s! Good thing we're past all that now - for the moment at least. Chris looks like he's really barreling down that trail. Good thing his hat's a helmet!
ReplyDeleteI think any Battersea lady who took a tumble like the advert would wish for a sensible cycling helmet. With a feather though.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine how anyone thought those mutton sleeves were a good idea. Nor can I imagine riding a bicycle in those voluminous skirts!
ReplyDeleteHelmets have been compulsory for cyclists here in Aus for about 20-30 years I think - took a bit of getting used to when they first came in but now we don't think twice about them. Cyclists from overseas don't like them though, especially if they ride without and get booked. At least those hats and sleeves woukd have given the ladies a little protection, probably more than lycra.
ReplyDeleteHelmets have been compulsory for cyclists here in Aus for about 20-30 years I think - took a bit of getting used to when they first came in but now we don't think twice about them. Cyclists from overseas don't like them though, especially if they ride without and get booked. At least those hats and sleeves woukd have given the ladies a little protection, probably more than lycra.
ReplyDeleteYou win the prize for connecting mutton sleeves with Easter lamb!
ReplyDeleteWe had ham for Easter, not lamb. I guess "leg o' mutton" is a far better term for that sleeve than "ham butt."
ReplyDeleteThat is quite a ride from 1895 to 2012. After I had posted I forgot that I had photos of my nephew doing the same kind of riding. It was on the other computer that I would have had to dig through fro quite a while. Great photos to share today.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...must try some Ellimans for my bad ankle.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...must try some Ellimans for my bad ankle.
ReplyDeleteRiding backwards! Yes! I'd forgotten about doing that. Good memory reminder.
ReplyDeleteAs to those sleeves…perfect for smuggling.