Khaki Twill Suit with Split Skirt

1910-1920
Gift of Nancy Brandon Allen ‘39
Label: Kamp-It
VC2004027

One example of women’s fashion for camping and recreation that allowed for the dual purposes of appearing feminine as well as being practical for physical activity was the divided skirt. This one is made by the camping company “Kamp-it” which was a sister brand to the popular sporting goods company Duxbak, which was regularly advertised in the many outdoors magazines in the early twentieth century and made lighter, more fashionable camping clothing targeted mainly towards women.  The function of the dress allows for feminine aesthetics while at the same time providing for the use of physical activity. The divided skirt is a “full flared paneled skirt with culottes pants underneath, pants of the back attach to the skirt of the front at the front buttons…”  This skirt gives the appearance of a typical full skirt for women’s fashion, although plainer and made out a sturdy gold cotton twill to make it durable, but it also functions as pants for camping when the front flap is unbuttoned. This divided skirt represents the struggle between the femininity and functioning in women’s sportswear, that arouse as a result of the rise of leisure and recreation and women’s growing participation in it.

Researched by Sarah Saiz ‘10 and Holly Hummel