RATIONAL DRESS SOCIETY

This was a group founded in London in 1881 whose goal was to protest and seek reform against the introduction of any fashion in dress that either deformed the figure, impeded the movements of the body, or in any way tended to injure health. It protested against the wearing of tightly-fitting corsets, high-heeled shoes, and heavily weighted skirts that impeded the movements of the arms and render exercise impossible. Their mission raised women's awareness to dress healthily, comfortably, and beautifully, as a duty to themselves and each other.