MODESTY BOARDS

MODESTY BOARDS

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In the Victorian era, fashion dictated that women be covered from head to toe with high-neck detachable collars, long sleeves, and flowing gowns.

They took modesty to another level, and clothes were designed for that sole purpose - not an inch of flesh could show!

To avoid any fashion faux pas that could accidentally reveal a rather sensual part of a woman, especially their ankles, society came up with a 'brilliant' idea called modesty boards.

The women were expected to be seated behind these boards, that were propped up and nailed to the floor at all public places, such as restaurants.

The board intended to shield the ladies legs, ankles, or feet from prying eyes, in a variety of circumstances.

Early modesty boards were often used in Quaker meeting houses, and other churches of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, growing in popularity during the Victorian era.

Modesty boards could also be found running up the sides of stairways, to discourage any peeping Tom's getting a cheap thrill, by looking up the ladies dresses!

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London Stereoscopic Company/Hulton Archive/Getty Images