Clothing

Evidence of clothing is rare to find in the archaeological record. Due to the material that typically constitutes clothing, namely fabric, it is often difficult to reconstruct how individuals in the past would choose to personally adorn themselves. In reviewing the archaeological evidence for clothing from the Wellesley College Hall Fire, only one glass bead has been found. As a result, our understanding of athletic clothing worn at Wellesley before the College Hall fire can only be determined through archival evidence. Over the past century, Wellesley College has maintained its physical education requirement, which has resulted in extensive archival evidence. The mandatory physical education uniform, pictured here along with supplemental archival photos, demonstrates how Wellesley students dressed for group athletic activities from the late 1930’s to the 1960’s. A student's performance apparel purchased from the Wellesley College bookstore serves as a representation of how Wellesley students dress for athletic activity in the modern day, emphasizing practicality and comfort over preserving modesty. This display also features a pair of athletic shoes, which we think that future Wellesley students may wear to track physical activity on their own time instead of attending a formal physical education class. This exhibit examines how clothing and personal adornment have evolved to reflect students’ participation in physical activities here at Wellesley.

Past evidence of Clothing

This bead is the only piece of personal adornment that has been found in the Wellesley College Hall Archaeology Project so far. The lack of clothing and personal adornment that has been found in the excavation has lead to the conclusion that most of these objects did not survive the fire that burned down College Hall in 1914. It is assumed that this bead was originally from a necklace or a bracelet, and it is possible that the original exterior decoration has worn off. Jewelry made from beads such as this would probably not have been worn during physical education classes or athletic activities. Rather, it is more likely that this bead would have been from jewelry or other personal adornment worn during formal events.

Physical education uniforms such as this one replaced the gym suits worn in physical education classes prior to 1937. Rather than being constricted in a blouse and stiff bloomers, this gym suit was manufactured by Wright & Ditson to be better suited for athletic activities. This design was meant to give female students a wider range of motion while moving their arms and legs. A matching pair of shorts was worn underneath to protect the students’ modesty. Switching to a cotton fabric helped the uniforms breathe while exercising during hotter temperatures, which preceded the invention of moisture-wicking fabrics. Gym suits were purchased by students through Wellesley College and required to be worn during physical education classes up until the 1960’s. When this gym suit was worn by Gloria Hollinger McDonald in the late 1940’s, the regulation sports outfit also included white socks, white sneakers, and a navy-blue sweater for colder weather.

Present-day evidence of Clothing

This top is what a current Wellesley student wears to exercise. Purchased at the Wellesley College bookstore, colored the school color, and bearing the text "Wellesley," this item is associated directly with Wellesley College. It is made of a polyester and cotton blend, which serves to make the garment lighter, more elastic, and softer than a shirt purely made of cotton, like in the past. As such, the material permits stretching, a wider range of motion, and overall higher comfort. Compared to the past uniforms, this shirt, sleeveless and partially backless, is more revealing. However, the design choices are not merely to misbehave in modesty at any given opportunity; each one trades modesty for a more pragmatic virtue. Sleevelessness reduces friction near the arms, permitting more movement. The tie in the back facilitates higher ventilation, preventing overheating. Wellesley athletic gear reflects a societal evolution to de-prioritize modesty to emphasize comfort and practicality.

Future Evidence of Clothing

Throughout the last century, Wellesley College students’ athletic clothing focused less on protecting modesty and more on improving performance. In the future, Wellesley students may wear technology that can track physical activity, where the resulting data could be sent to the school for the student to track their progress, and to act as a supplement for the physical education requirement. We suggest that future students may use sneakers that record physical activity data, with an LED display on the side of the shoe that displays descriptive statistics. These sneakers would be able to record pulse through the dorsalis pedis artery, count steps, calculate burned calories, and the total time spent in moderate to vigorous activity. These shoes mark the end of a paradigm shift in Wellesley College’s athletic clothing, namely from protecting modesty to a focus in practicality and comfort.