Why did Amelia Bloomer promote trousers for women?

Amelia Bloomer promoted the use of "Turkish" trousers—worn under a short skirt—as a form of "rational dress" for women. She advocated for this costume to provide women with a more comfortable and practical alternative to the restrictive, cumbersome fashions of the 19th century, which typically involved heavy layers of petticoats and corsets.1234

While Bloomer did not invent the outfit—it was designed by Elizabeth Smith Miller and worn by others before her—she became its most prominent defender through her newspaper, The Lily. Despite her efforts, the style was widely regarded as immodest and unfeminine at the time, leading to significant public ridicule. Although the full costume failed to gain mainstream popularity, the name "bloomers" persisted, eventually influencing the design of more practical athletic wear for women, such as the knickerbockers worn for cycling and sports in the 1890s.2314