Bloomer Chic: Ca. 1919

Hard to imagine Venus or Serena rushing the net in this getup, the gym suit of choice for the Boston School of Physical Education throughout the early twentieth century. It was all wool. It weighed three pounds.

Later incorporated into what is today Bouvé College of Health Sciences, the Boston School provided academic and practical training in physical education, health, and hygiene. School policies stressed conservatism, and, as was often the case in women’s attire, modesty trumped mobility.

Students were required to furnish certain gym-clothes particulars, ranging from skirts to slippers. But no chance of an aspiring phys. ed. instructor’s saving a few bucks by bringing active wear from home: For uniformity’s sake, suits had to be made by Boston clothiers.

By the early 1930s, new materials (rayon! cotton!) for women’s gym suits would allow our Boston School gals to compete more effectively on the field. But spandex was still just a twinkle in a manufacturer’s eye.

You’ve come a long way, baby.