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    22 Struggles Every 1890s Woman Will Understand

    Gentlemen, please desist.

    1. When your corset is so oppressively tight you can't bend over and pet interesting birds.

    2. When your neck ruff is so large it obscures your cycling vision.

    3. When you spend hours desperately praying for someone to invent hair straighteners.

    4. And you and your ladies spend ages sitting around waiting for someone to invent hair conditioner.

    5. When your corset makes you faint and you have to reach to your acquaintance for help.

    6. When your clothing is so restrictive that you can't do anything about the bird that has just landed on your head.

    7. When you're having a pleasant morning and then think about everyone who has died of consumption this year.

    8. When men organise protests against you being admitted to universities.

    9. When you attempt to take a delightful picture with your horse and he refuses to cooperate.

    10. When you write a letter to a gentleman and he does not send a reply for many days.

    11. When a gentleman asks if you want "to tandem" and that is precisely what he means.

    12. When you host a lovely tea party with your acquaintances and your daughter is being petulant.

    13. When you're once again the person responsible for getting the house ready for Christmas.

    14. When you're thrilled at the prospect of swimming in the sea and then you remember you have to wear this tiresome costume.

    15. When your dress is so capacious you have difficulty fitting through doors.

    16. When you think about the scourge of colonialism.

    17. When you go for a drive with your ladies and two of you arrive wearing the same hat.

    18. And when a gent offers to take you for a drive and it turns out he's invited all his other ladies.

    19. When you're having tea with your ladies and a gentleman comes over and tries to interject.

    20. When you're the Queen and everything is still terrible.

    21. When you're waiting for the vote.

    22. When gentlemen suggest that women are the weaker sex.