Bloomers are a type of women’s clothing that originated in the mid-19th century and became an early symbol of dress reform and women’s rights. The term “bloomers” comes from Amelia Bloomer, an American women’s rights advocate and editor who promoted the garment in the 1850s. Although she did not invent them, her public support helped popularize this new style at a time when women were expected to wear heavy, restrictive dresses and tightly laced corsets. Early bloomers consisted of loose, ankle-length trousers worn underneath a shorter dress or tunic. This design allowed far greater mobility and comfort compared to the multiple layers of conventional Victorian women’s fashion. Supporters of dress reform argued that bloomers were healthier, more practical, and more aligned with the growing desire for women to participate in physical activities such as bicycling, walking, and exercise. Critics, however, viewed the garment as scandalous, unfeminine, or even socially threatening, since it challenged long-standing expectations about how women should appear and behave.