Part 3/6:
This reflects a new societal understanding, where discussions around sexual health are more openly embraced, yet the protections needed in romantic pursuits were emphasized even back then.
Fashion Faux Pas
The guidelines also detailed what women should avoid in terms of clothing choices and behavior. There were specified instructions on what not to do if a woman needed to wear certain garments, like a brassiere or girdle. The avoidance of awkwardness in physical positioning is humorously emphasized—an indication that even in dance, men are presumed to desire certain dynamics that women must navigate carefully.
Fashion has undeniably shifted since 1938, and the advent of modern shapewear shows just how far we have come in both functionality and comfort in women's attire.