Published on: 2026-10-04
Pop Culture and Bizarre Fashion
Which unusual fashion accessory was famously banned in several European cities during the 19th century because it was considered a public safety hazard?
Correct
Around the turn of the 20th century, ladies wore enormous hats held in place by long, sharp metal hatpins. These needles were so dangerous that they essentially became improvised weapons on crowded public transit, leading cities to pass laws limiting their length. The stilts were never a widespread public nuisance, newspapers were not a standard garment material for fashionistas, and nobody was trying to liven up a party with heavy lead shoes, unless they really wanted to ruin the floorboards.