The Female Breadwinner

One hundred years ago a woman's role was very different. Women were expected to look after the home and family, and were not allowed to par-take in most forms of education and employment.

Women had battled to have more power before the 1900's, however it was not until the turn of the century when women became heard. A great and influential political movement, founded originally by Millicent Fawcett, yet enforced by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, was the Suffragettes; fighting for womens right to vote within parliament. After many years of hard work, in 1918, the Representation of the People Act was finalised within parliament, which enabled women to vote.

Since then, throughout time women have had power within society, with many becoming role models for the female population.

As society continuously experiences change, it has been reported that women have adopted the stereotypical role of the breadwinner, becoming ever more successful within the work place. The Daily Mail reports that 1 in 5 women now earn more than their partners, and it is now men who stay at home to look after the home.

This societal shift, has also been reflected within fashion, with womenswear and menswear collections becoming androgynous. There has been an emphasised cross over of more feminine menswear, with deep scooping necklines from Carola Euler and mens corsetry by Karl Lagerfeld and John Galliano. Womenswear has also become more influenced by masculinity, with more tailoring from Paul Smith and Nicole Miller, reflecting the shift of women's roles within the workplace.