Story: Archery, fencing, shooting and military re-enactment

This drawing appeared in the New Zealand Graphic in 1891, although it seems unlikely that fencing classes for women were being held in New Zealand at the time. The Graphicused the picture to illustrate women’s increasing interest in sport, suggesting that this had influenced women’s clothing. Should women have wanted to fence, the shorter, narrower skirt shown here would certainly have helped, as would the lack of a bustle (worn by the woman on the far right).