Penny Farthing Fever: Celebrating the Bicycles that Shaped a Nation's Fashion Sense

In the mid-19th century, cycling became a popular form of transportation in England. The invention of the penny farthing bicycle, with its large front wheel and smaller rear wheel, revolutionized this sport. This article explores how these bicycles captured the imagination of the British public and influenced fashion trends during their heyday.

The Birth of Penny Farthings

The first penny farthing was invented by Kirkpatrick MacMillan, a Scottish blacksmith, in 1839. However, it wasn't until James Starley's improvements to the design in 1870s that they became widely popular. These early bicycles were nicknamed "penny farthings" due to their resemblance to British coins - one shilling (the "penny") and six pence (the "farthing").

Fashionable Cycling

By the late 1800s, cycling had become an essential part of fashionable life for both men and women in Britain. Clothing manufacturers adapted designs from traditional sports like rowing and horse riding to create specialized attire for cyclists.

Women's clothing featured long skirts or divided garments known as bloomers or knickerbockers which allowed greater freedom of movement while riding. Men wore slim-fitting trousers called knickers or plus fours along with buttoned jackets called blazers.

A New Era for Women

Cycling played a significant role in promoting women's rights during this period. As more women took up cycling as an enjoyable pastime outside domestic duties, they gained increased visibility on roads previously dominated by men.

This newfound independence also led to changes in dress codes - shorter hemlines were introduced so riders could pedal without restriction while still maintaining modesty.

Racing & Culture

As interest grew among racing enthusiasts across England, tracks such as Crystal Palace Velodrome were built specifically for competitive events like track racing competitions where cyclists would compete against each other on banked oval courses at high speeds using only their pedals power; no brakes!

These races drew huge crowds who came out not just to watch but also enjoy live music performances often featuring bands playing classic tunes like jazz standards or dance hall numbers giving rise to new musical genres born directly from this era such as 'swing' music later gaining popularity through Benny Goodman etc., further cementing connection between culture & fashion trends at time!

In conclusion:

From humble beginnings as a mode of transportation towards becoming integral part sporting culture – Penny Farthings have left lasting impact upon English society’s style sense alongside shaping social norms around gender roles within Victorian era England itself!