Sheril KirshenbaumNov 26, 2022

In 1938, kindergarten teacher Helen Hulick wore slacks to court to testify as a witness in Los Angeles, CA. Judge Arthur Guerin was appalled & rescheduled the case, instructing her to “return in a dress.”

The next day, Hulick showed up in slacks again, declaring, “I will stand on my rights…I like slacks. They’re comfortable.”

She was sent to jail. https://web.archive.org/web/20210315143406/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-15/from-the-archives-wear-slacks-to-court-and-go-to-jail #HistoryRemix

From the Archives: Wear slacks to court and go to jail

On Nov. 9, 1938, Helen Hulick, 28, wore slacks during a court appearance to testify against two men. Judge Arthur S. Guerin rescheduled her case, asking Hulick to return wearing a dress.

Los Angeles Times
Show threadHazel Buchan Cameron
@Sheril I never saw my mum in slacks...or as we called them, trousers until late 70s. I even remember being surprised that my daughter chose not to wear a skirt to school in the 90s!
Nov 26, 2022 at 12:32pmWeb
Show threadniaNov 26, 2022
@Hazey @Sheril Same experience here - growing up, I thought that moms weren’t allowed to wear dresses. What a terrible message
Show threadHazel Buchan CameronNov 26, 2022
@nia @Sheril do you mean trousers? 😊
It was a strange thing and took me a bit to adapt to my daughter preferring trousers. I tried unsuccessfully (I'm now glad to say) to persuade her to wear a pleated skirt to school. Mind you, am I wrong in still thinking that skirts look smarter? 😳 And I still feel better in a dress.
Show threadniaNov 26, 2022
@Hazey @Sheril haha, yes, trousers. Too focused on the dresses
Show threadDr Ro SmithNov 27, 2022
@Hazey Slacks are just a specific style of trousers 😜 Semi-formal, and not tight against the leg - hence, slack.
Show threadHazel Buchan CameronNov 27, 2022
@Rhube I remember when I stayed with a Canadian cousin and she asked me if I'd brought any pants? 😳🙄 To a Brit, pants are knickers. It was a relief when I discovered she meant trousers. 🤣