Women in pants Book

Despite what most people may think, American women have always worn pants. Featuring an unusual collection of vintage photographs from the 1850s to the 1920s, Women in Pants documents an almost forgotten revolution in clothing. Defying convention, Victorian dress reformers as well as farmers, laborers, miners, cowgirls, and sportswomen openly wore trousers, while other women disguised themselves in men's attire to get good jobs, go to combat, engage in relationships with other women, or experiment with gender identity.

Candid, often humorous quotes from contemporary newspapers and magazines complement the photographs and enhance our understanding of the culture and time in which these women lived. For some, wearing pants was a necessity; for others, it was an act of defiance; for still others, it was just fun.

About the Author:
Catherine Smith is an artist, curator, and an Associate Professor of Art at Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan. She lives in Fenton, Michigan. Cynthia Greig is a fine-art photographer and independent curator. She lives in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.