University Archives
Western Rational Dress Club
The first meeting of the WRDC was held at the home of its secretary, Sydney Buckman, in Cheltenham, in 1897. At least seven such clubs were in existence by September of that year, and notable national supporters included Lady Colin Campbell, Lady Randolph Churchill and the Countess of Warwick. The basic aim was to promote dress reform whereby 'women may enjoy greater movement and less fatigue', especially when engaged in sporting activities, such as cycling, where accidents had been caused by women wearing impractical clothing. The campaign attracted much press comment, and was part of the wider movement for women’s emancipation.
The small collection of photocopies of about 130 papers of Sydney and Maud Buckman including letters, press cuttings, price lists, cartoons and a prospectus relating to the rational dress movement and cycling for women between 1894 and 1899. There are also copies of Buckman's contributions to The Lady's Own Magazine (under the pseudonym 'A Wheeler'). [DX/113]