Nice pants, it's a shame they were illegal. A brief history of trousers as a symbol of feminist rebellion

Once upon a time, the sight of a woman in trousers could spark outrage, whispers, and possibly fainting spells in polite society. Fast forward to today, and she might be wearing wide-leg pants to her wedding, silk joggers to brunch, or a pantsuit to destroy the patriarchy on a Tuesday. And no one would bat an eye.

But, reality check: That innocent-looking pair of pants you threw on this morning? Not so long ago, it was considered a crime for women (yes, legally). And while multiple pairs of pants now hang in every woman’s closet as casual staples, the freedoms they represent are still under siege—from abortion rollbacks in the US to dress code crackdowns across the Middle East.

Yes, pants have come a long way. Once exclusively for men, now an everyday essential for all genders. But, the mere act of women wearing trousers is still a symbol of agency, autonomy, and the quiet (sometimes loud) defiance of saying: I get to decide how I show up in the world.

When pants entered the female group chat

Let’s rewind to the 1940s. While men across large swathes of European states and their colonies were off fighting World War II, women stepped into factories, shipyards, and farms—and they sure as hell weren’t doing it in pencil skirts. Trousers quickly shifted from a fashion choice to a survival tool (and yes, the majority of men being away at war did help the cause). Function over fashion? Maybe. But still a major moment.

Naturally, society clutched its pearls. Women in pants? How masculine. How unladylike. How dare. But necessity has a funny way of bulldozing through outdated dress codes. And once women got a taste of the freedom afforded by pants (not to mention pockets), they weren’t so quick to give it up.

From scandal to screen time

The 1950s tried their hardest to shove everyone back into gender norms and A-line skirts. But the pants stayed—and they got sassier. Enter Hollywood icons like Katharine Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich, and Audrey Hepburn, who strutted around in trousers like they owned the world (because, honestly, they kind of did). It was elegant. It was effortless. It was, dare we say… feminist.

Back home, Bollywood actresses were having their own love affairs with pants. In the 1970s and '80s, when Indian women were still expected to dress “modestly” and stick to the sidelines, stars like Zeenat Aman made headlines in flared jeans, while Rekha exuded quiet power in trench coats and high-waisted trousers. These on-screen fashion choices weren’t just aesthetic—they pushed back against a deeply conservative landscape that constantly policed women.

Still, it would take decades for trousers to travel from the silver screen to the average Indian woman’s wardrobe. Because for many, wearing pants wasn’t just about style, it was about permission.

Politically speaking

Let’s also give it up for the ultimate mic drop: the pantsuit. By the 1960s and '70s, women were marching, protesting, burning bras (symbolically and literally), and dressing the part. The pantsuit became the unofficial uniform of second-wave feminists—sharp lines, bold shoulders, and a big middle finger to every workplace that asked women to “dress appropriately” while still paying them way less than men.

Even politics got a makeover. In 1969, American politician Charlotte Reid wore a pantsuit on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, sparking an uproar that included audible gasps. It wasn't until 1993 that women were officially allowed to wear trousers in the U.S. Senate. That’s younger than Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Harry Styles. Let that sink in.

Taking up space—and owning it

The beauty of pants? They’re practical. But they’re also powerful. They allow women to take up space comfortably, confidently, and without apology. Whether it’s tailored cigarette pants, wide-leg trousers, or an oversized suit in electric pink, pants say: I’m here, and I mean business—even if that business is just grabbing coffee and reading a book in the park.

They’ve also helped blur the binary in fashion, pushing it toward a more fluid future. From ’90s unisex jeans to today’s genderless silhouettes, pants have always been less about boy vs. girl and more about wear-what-you-want energy. In ditching the “skirts only” rule, we didn’t just win extra closet options—we opened up a whole new way to express identity.

Pants on the red carpet—and everywhere else

Today, on red carpets, at weddings, in boardrooms, and on campaign trails, women are suiting up—and showing up. Remember Amal Clooney’s ivory pantsuit at her Venice wedding? Iconic. Zendaya casually redefining red carpet rules one dandy look at a time? Legendary. And Rihanna in low-rise maternity pants? Internet-breaking. Each moment is a reminder that femininity is not fragile and that fashion can be both political and deeply personal.

Still radical, still relevant

It’s easy to take pants for granted now. But every time a woman slips into a pair—be it for comfort, confidence, or just because she damn well wants to—she becomes part of a legacy. One that refused to be hemmed in.

In a world that still loves to police what women wear, pants remain a quiet act of defiance. Whether you’re in boardroom-ready wide legs or weekend-ready loungewear, you’re not just wearing fabric. You’re wearing history. You’re wearing progress. You’re wearing the fight and the freedom that came with it.

So next time you pull on your favourite pair—yes, even those chaotic cargo pants you swear by—remember: you’re walking in the footsteps of women who weren’t afraid to cause a scene.

And honestly? That’s hot.

Ready to power up your wardrobe?

In the spirit of celebrating all things stylish and subversive, here’s your chance to saunter into history with a pair of pants that pack just as much punch as the women who made them iconic.

Chanel 2024/25 Métiers d’art Trousers Silk Jacquard & Cotton Black & White, ₹4,91,900

Bloni Structured Rubber Pants, ₹65,000

Pucci Marmo-Print Straight-Leg Jeans, ₹60,410

Zimmermann Women Illuminate Linen Wide-Leg Pants, ₹70,999

Ashish Embroidered Doodle Jeans, ₹2,10,800

Acne Studios Potinal Canvas Straight Fit Anthracite Washed Cargo Trousers, ₹58,999

Giorgio Armani Blended Slim Fit Flat-Front Trousers, ₹78,000

 

All images: Getty, the brands

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