Bloomers

Bloomers were originally a form of sensible and comfortable dress worn by 19th century women's rights activists. They were a divided skirt, like Turkish pants, which allowed women more freedom of movement in the days of the crinoline. They are named after American Amelia Bloomer who wore them, along with other women protesting the restrictive forms of dress allowed to women at that time.

Nowadays, the term bloomer has become synonymous with the term drawers and is used to refer to big, baggy, old fashioned pants, usually underpants.