Question

For their part, more and more women were rejecting bloomers for cycling. Instead, they wore shorter skirts. According to an 1896 article in the magazine Harper's Bazar, women in New York and the East were taking the lead in this fashion trend and for a very clear reason. "Women are too anxious about their personal appearance to be willing to wear what their own eyes tell them is ugly," the article said.

–Wheels of Change,
Sue Macy

What changed about women’s dress as a result of bloomers’ failed popularity?

Women realized that it was more important to be comfortable than to look fashionable.
Clothing options for women had to be both practical and fashionable.
Clothing options for women became limited to only shorter skirts.
New York and the East became the center of fashion.

Answer 1

Clothing options for women had to be both practical and fashionable.

They rejected bloomers as unattractive and adopted shorter skirts that were still suitable for cycling but looked better.