Hobble skirt

Hobble skirt

These were part of world history from 1880 until the 1810's. They were designed to be nearly ankle length with a very small opening at the bottom of the skirt, requiring the wearer to take small mincing steps which exaggerated the swing of the hips. There are two possible inspirations for this dress;.

1. Paul Poiret is sometimes said to have been inspired by Mrs. Hart O. Berg, who became the first American woman to ride in an airplane, when she joined Wilbur Wright in late 1908. Mrs. Berg used a piece of rope to tie her skirt around her legs in order to keep it from flapping while in flight, and supposedly Poiret saw her mincing away from the plane with the rope still tied.
2. The more likely inspiration for the skirt was the narrow robe of the Japanese Geisha. Poiret was strongly influenced by the Orient as was another Edwardian trendsetter, Russian Ballet costumer Leon Bakst.

• Hobble skirt
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See also [ Clothing as Bondage ]

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