Pre-War Bloomer Girl

Armistead · 08-14-13, 08:41 PM

I was just watching a 1933 Bettie Davis film. This movie was before code. The movie itself was a 30's era portrayal. Bettie and husband often flirting and plotting with other people. Bettie went on a date with another man, who started flirting, obvious wanting sex, but she wouldn't go that far and he called her a "Pre-war Bloomer Girl"

That is twice I've heard this said in a early 30's movie.

What exactly does it mean? It seemed to imply she was a tease...., but online all I find is insult or bloomer girls playing baseball, etc...Not sure which war or what this is about.

Thought maybe one of you old timers would know.

Tchocky · 08-14-13, 09:18 PM

Haven't a clue but I'm curious now

WernherVonTrapp · 08-14-13, 09:26 PM

Here, try this link out. It appears to relate to a specific fashion trend.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomer_Girl

Wolferz · 08-14-13, 09:29 PM

This should 'splainit...

A pre-war bloomer girl was probably a derogatory reference toward a tease. The ladies in the factories of the day wore the coveralls pictured here. They were called Bloomers because they resembled late, late 1800's style ladies underwear. On a side note; I wonder what that doughboy is holding in his right hand with that wry smile?

Oh, wait. It's a cannon lanyard.

Or she was a baseball player in the latter half of the 1800's...
http://www.heilwood.com/people/sports/bloomer-girls/

Or maybe Bettie was being called Roger Hornsby?

I dunno.

Sailor Steve · 08-14-13, 10:24 PM

Since everyone seems to be repeating the mistake (well, two of you anyway), I feel it only fair to point out that Bette Davis didn't have an 'i' in her first name.

Armistead · 08-14-13, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Since everyone seems to be repeating the mistake (well, two of you anyway), I feel it only fair to point out that Bette Davis didn't have an 'i' in her first name.

I didn't think so, but I asked my wife before I typed, so I'll tell her she's a dummy. I know she changed it Bettie or Betty to Bette.

Anyway, I tried searching "girl shows bloomers to soldier" and got this,
a WW1 Shaw postcard. Is it possibly saying that since her man is gone, she doesn't care what she shows to other men? That would make sense the way it's used in the movies, but who knows.

Aktungbby · 08-15-13, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Since everyone seems to be repeating the mistake (well, two of you anyway), I feel it only fair to point out that Bette Davis didn't have an 'i' in her first name.

No but she has Betty Davis 'i's! The Bloomer Girl is from the 1851 panteloon designed by Amelia Bloomer to enable middle class ladies to play baseball, ride bikes and attend spas of the time in relative comfort. At first not worn in public as a function of Victorian mores, this aspect went by the boards as the rise of the suffragettes and womens' movements adopted the attire for public demonstration. Practical ladies, knowing a good thing in fashion when it comes to comfort and plain old practicality, kept it public thereafter and men, liking what they saw, said let 'em vote too! Factotum Veratum Sartorum!

Jimbuna · 08-15-13, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aktungbby

No but she has Betty Davis 'i's! The Bloomer Girl is from the 1851 panteloon designed by Amelia Bloomer to enable middle class ladies to play baseball, ride bikes and attend spas of the time in relative comfort. At first not worn in public as a function of Victorian mores, this aspect went by the boards as the rise of the suffragettes and womens' movements adopted the attire for public demonstration. Practical ladies, knowing a good thing in fashion when it comes to comfort and plain old practicality, kept it public thereafter and men, liking what they saw, said let 'em vote too! Factotum Veratum Sartorum!

Rgr that and plenty of photographic examples here:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=blo...w=1344&bih=722

Wolferz · 08-15-13, 09:01 AM

By the way Amelia Bloomer didn't design that clothing. She adopted it from a friend who did.

Yes Steve I know Bette spelled her name without the Y or the I.

Try not to be so picke.

August · 08-15-13, 09:09 AM

Jackboots are the main historical identifying mark of a German soldier.

I asked my wife about the term "Pre-War Bloomer Girl" and she actually had heard of it. Apparently they were called "Rationals" after the Civil War (hence the pre-war reference) and were advocates for reform of womens clothing for for more practical purposes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_dress_reform

Cybermat47 · 08-15-13, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolferz

O-kay... is it just me or does the Doughboy look more like a German soldier? And is that a toothbrush moustache the girl's got?

Schroeder · 08-15-13, 04:27 AM

Why would he look German?
German uniforms were grey and the helmet doesn't fit at all.

Here is a late war German soldier (just a re-enactment kit but the best colored picture I could find).

The earlier helmets still hat a spike on them:

Cybermat47 · 08-15-13, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Why would he look German?
German uniforms were grey and the helmet doesn't fit at all.

Here is a late war German soldier (just a re-enactment kit but the best colored picture I could find).

Exactly! The uniform's completely different... BUT HE STILL LOOKS GERMAN!

Maybe it's the round, jolly face

Garion · 08-15-13, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolferz

This should 'splainit...

A pre-war bloomer girl was probably a derogatory reference toward a tease. The ladies in the factories of the day wore the coveralls pictured here. They were called Bloomers because they resembled late, late 1800's style ladies underwear. On a side note; I wonder what that doughboy is holding in his right hand with that wry smile?

Oh, wait. It's a cannon lanyard.

Or she was a baseball player in the latter half of the 1800's...
http://www.heilwood.com/people/sports/bloomer-girls/

Or maybe Bettie was being called Roger Hornsby?

I dunno.

That girl is Hitler cross-dressing, the moustache is a dead give away

I'll get my coat.

Cheers

gary

08-14-13, 08:41 PM	#1
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	Pre-War Bloomer Girl I was just watching a 1933 Bettie Davis film. This movie was before code. The movie itself was a 30's era portrayal. Bettie and husband often flirting and plotting with other people. Bettie went on a date with another man, who started flirting, obvious wanting sex, but she wouldn't go that far and he called her a "Pre-war Bloomer Girl" That is twice I've heard this said in a early 30's movie. What exactly does it mean? It seemed to imply she was a tease...., but online all I find is insult or bloomer girls playing baseball, etc...Not sure which war or what this is about. Thought maybe one of you old timers would know. __________________ You see my dog don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it.

08-14-13, 09:18 PM	#2
Tchocky Navy Seal Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,874 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	Haven't a clue but I'm curious now __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

08-14-13, 09:26 PM	#3
WernherVonTrapp Admiral Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Now, alot farther from NYC. Posts: 2,228 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 0	Here, try this link out. It appears to relate to a specific fashion trend. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomer_Girl __________________ "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -Miyamoto Musashi ------------------------------------------------------- "What is truth?" -Pontius Pilate

08-14-13, 09:29 PM	#4
Wolferz Navy Seal Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a mighty quest for the Stick of Truth Posts: 5,963 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	This should 'splainit... A pre-war bloomer girl was probably a derogatory reference toward a tease. The ladies in the factories of the day wore the coveralls pictured here. They were called Bloomers because they resembled late, late 1800's style ladies underwear. On a side note; I wonder what that doughboy is holding in his right hand with that wry smile? Oh, wait. It's a cannon lanyard. Or she was a baseball player in the latter half of the 1800's... http://www.heilwood.com/people/sports/bloomer-girls/ Or maybe Bettie was being called Roger Hornsby? I dunno. __________________ Tomorrow never comes Last edited by Wolferz; 08-14-13 at 09:57 PM.

08-14-13, 10:24 PM	#5
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Since everyone seems to be repeating the mistake (well, two of you anyway), I feel it only fair to point out that Bette Davis didn't have an 'i' in her first name. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

08-15-13, 09:01 AM	#9
Wolferz Navy Seal Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a mighty quest for the Stick of Truth Posts: 5,963 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	By the way Amelia Bloomer didn't design that clothing. She adopted it from a friend who did. Yes Steve I know Bette spelled her name without the Y or the I. Try not to be so picke. __________________ Tomorrow never comes

08-15-13, 09:09 AM	#10
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,206 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Jackboots are the main historical identifying mark of a German soldier. I asked my wife about the term "Pre-War Bloomer Girl" and she actually had heard of it. Apparently they were called "Rationals" after the Civil War (hence the pre-war reference) and were advocates for reform of womens clothing for for more practical purposes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_dress_reform __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

08-15-13, 04:27 AM	#12
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Why would he look German? German uniforms were grey and the helmet doesn't fit at all. Here is a late war German soldier (just a re-enactment kit but the best colored picture I could find). The earlier helmets still hat a spike on them: __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.