The Fashion Shift That Disarmed WomenHow a silhouette change enforced dependency

From the show

Hidden Architecture of Patriarchy

Modern women's clothing often lacks functional storage, a design choice rooted in a specific historical moment. Until the late 1700s, women possessed large, private spaces beneath their skirts to secure money and tools. The arrival of the Empire Style eliminated these hidden compartments, replacing them with fragile, tiny bags. This shift prioritized aesthetic fragility over utility, physically stripping women of the ability to carry essentials independently.