Leg Rebellion

Silk Scandals

In the 1920s, women shortened their long skirts and dared to expose their legs. Squeezed into sleek stockings, they would go to restaurants, events, or dates.

In the photo, Chaja Šneideiraitė stands outside her house. It's chilly, but she poses adorned in delicate silk stockings - a hit of the time. They cost about 10-15 litas (equivalent to more than 30 euros now), so usually, saving was necessary. Having acquired one or a few pairs of stockings, women would wear them all year round.

Nevertheless, even minimally exposed bodies offended more conservative people. For some, it was too indecent, while others complained they didn't want to see unattractive legs. Because without silk stockings, such problems wouldn't arise. In 1927, the writer Gabrielė Petkevičaitė-Bitė even appealed to President Antanas Smetona to ban them. Of course, her request was not implemented.