What do you think?
Rate this book
This Skirt Won't Work!: How Women Athletes Changed Their Clothes and Changed the Game
Imagine trying to play tennis in a long dress, or swimming laps wearing heavy petticoats! That's how it used to be for girls and women in sports... until a few found a better way!
See how women like cyclist Kittie Knox, swimmer Annette Kellerman, and Albertine LePensee and her Canadian hockey teammates flouted convention and risked scandal to wear things they could move in. They sewed their own knickerbockers, donned sleek swimsuits, and shortened skirts, and in the process helped change society's ideas about what women and girls could wear—and do! Features back matter with cool facts about each woman and team, as well as a look at women athletes today who continue to take a stand for clothes that are more comfortable and inclusive.
See how women like cyclist Kittie Knox, swimmer Annette Kellerman, and Albertine LePensee and her Canadian hockey teammates flouted convention and risked scandal to wear things they could move in. They sewed their own knickerbockers, donned sleek swimsuits, and shortened skirts, and in the process helped change society's ideas about what women and girls could wear—and do! Features back matter with cool facts about each woman and team, as well as a look at women athletes today who continue to take a stand for clothes that are more comfortable and inclusive.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published December 2, 2025
2507 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 30, 2025
We all know that women had, through much of history, clothes that just didn’t work for what they wanted to do.
Most of us know what bloomers are, and how they were an early way for women to be able to exercise, and ride bikes, without having their clothes get in the way. This book goes beyond this, showing how women, such as Katherine Knox invented the knickerbockers, much like bloomers, but better. They were a tighter fit, and much easier to move around in. She used to race bikes, against the men. She was alos one of the first Black members of the League of American Wheelmen.
This book covers this invention as well as the one piece swim suit that Annette Kellerman invented, and Albertine Lapensee, who invented the hockey outfit for women.
This is a great book to show how women overcame the clothes that were available at the time, and moved past them. We can look back and realize how silly it was that women were even made to wear clothes like that. But the back of the book points out recent trends such as women playing volleyball, in the Olympics, being forced to wear bikinis instead of shorts and a shirt.
I also like how the original clothes are shown before we see what was redesigned, so we get an idea of how much work went into the better clothes.
Great book to get kids thinking and talking. If anything, I wish there were more stories.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published the 2nd of December 2025.
Most of us know what bloomers are, and how they were an early way for women to be able to exercise, and ride bikes, without having their clothes get in the way. This book goes beyond this, showing how women, such as Katherine Knox invented the knickerbockers, much like bloomers, but better. They were a tighter fit, and much easier to move around in. She used to race bikes, against the men. She was alos one of the first Black members of the League of American Wheelmen.
This book covers this invention as well as the one piece swim suit that Annette Kellerman invented, and Albertine Lapensee, who invented the hockey outfit for women.
This is a great book to show how women overcame the clothes that were available at the time, and moved past them. We can look back and realize how silly it was that women were even made to wear clothes like that. But the back of the book points out recent trends such as women playing volleyball, in the Olympics, being forced to wear bikinis instead of shorts and a shirt.
I also like how the original clothes are shown before we see what was redesigned, so we get an idea of how much work went into the better clothes.
Great book to get kids thinking and talking. If anything, I wish there were more stories.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published the 2nd of December 2025.
December 14, 2025
I won this book through Goodreads' First Read.
This is a non-fiction book about women athletes fighting to wear clothing which allow them to move better when they are playing sports.
It is a good look at a part of the history of women's fashion and women fighting for equality their clothing options and access to play sports.
it was a good read and the illustrations are delightful!
This is a non-fiction book about women athletes fighting to wear clothing which allow them to move better when they are playing sports.
It is a good look at a part of the history of women's fashion and women fighting for equality their clothing options and access to play sports.
it was a good read and the illustrations are delightful!
August 22, 2025
This Skirt Won’t Work is a look at female athletes from the turn of the 20th century who were not only trailblazers in their sport for their physical skill, but for their innovative approach to their athletic costume. Representing a variety of sports, each woman or team is depicted first in the cumbersome attire they were expected to wear for the sake of modesty and propriety, and then, after a rhyming exclamation such as the title phrase or “This dress is a mess,” shown in their new, more practical outfits. From cyclist Kittie Knox in 1890s Boston who revamped her skirt into knickers, to Lily Parr and her English soccer teammates shocking their fans for donning shorts (even as the English Football Association banned women’s teams altogether), these women made simple changes that have had a lasting impact.
This is an entertaining overview that will be of interest to young fans who enjoy learning about the history of competitive sports. It will be obvious to readers why these changes were needed - surely it’s impossible to play tennis well in a puffy-sleeved dress with a ground-grazing full skirt! - but probably also a little surprising, from a modern perspective, that they were controversial. The text is light and lyrical in tone, with invented dialog and minimal detail, and it is well-complemented by the cartoon-like pen and ink and digital illustrations. Not much attention is paid in the book to how the outfits were conceived by the athletes, or received by bystanders, but that is covered by informative backmatter that includes brief biographies of the women included, as well as notes about the challenges of some present day female athletes. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
This is an entertaining overview that will be of interest to young fans who enjoy learning about the history of competitive sports. It will be obvious to readers why these changes were needed - surely it’s impossible to play tennis well in a puffy-sleeved dress with a ground-grazing full skirt! - but probably also a little surprising, from a modern perspective, that they were controversial. The text is light and lyrical in tone, with invented dialog and minimal detail, and it is well-complemented by the cartoon-like pen and ink and digital illustrations. Not much attention is paid in the book to how the outfits were conceived by the athletes, or received by bystanders, but that is covered by informative backmatter that includes brief biographies of the women included, as well as notes about the challenges of some present day female athletes. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
January 6, 2026
This Skirt Won’t Work! is a powerful, engaging nonfiction picture book that shows how something as seemingly simple as clothing became a battleground for equality, freedom, and progress in women’s sports. Jennifer Cooper presents history in a way that feels immediate, accessible, and genuinely inspiring for young readers.
The stories of athletes like Kittie Knox, Annette Kellerman, and Albertine LePensee are fascinating and empowering. These women didn’t just challenge fashion norms they challenged society’s expectations of what women could do with their bodies. The book does an excellent job of showing how courage often begins with small, practical acts that ripple outward into real change.
Eva Byrne’s illustrations are dynamic and expressive, perfectly capturing motion, determination, and confidence. They add energy to the narrative and make the historical moments feel vivid rather than distant. The back matter is especially strong, offering additional context and connecting past trailblazers to modern athletes who continue pushing for inclusivity and comfort.
This is an outstanding blend of history, feminism, and sports, presented in a way that will spark curiosity and conversation. An essential read for young readers and adults who care about equality, resilience, and the power of standing up for what works.
The stories of athletes like Kittie Knox, Annette Kellerman, and Albertine LePensee are fascinating and empowering. These women didn’t just challenge fashion norms they challenged society’s expectations of what women could do with their bodies. The book does an excellent job of showing how courage often begins with small, practical acts that ripple outward into real change.
Eva Byrne’s illustrations are dynamic and expressive, perfectly capturing motion, determination, and confidence. They add energy to the narrative and make the historical moments feel vivid rather than distant. The back matter is especially strong, offering additional context and connecting past trailblazers to modern athletes who continue pushing for inclusivity and comfort.
This is an outstanding blend of history, feminism, and sports, presented in a way that will spark curiosity and conversation. An essential read for young readers and adults who care about equality, resilience, and the power of standing up for what works.
August 22, 2025
As a homeschool teacher and mother of girls, this book is an invaluable source for not only learning about history (even recent historical events), but for female empowerment. The book tells short stories about women in sports who have altered their uniforms to better perform like their male counterparts. Some sports include hockey, soccer, swimming, and bicycling. I appreciated that more information was provided about these particular women following the story. It served as a sort of glossary and makes it easy to spark interest and further research these women, their historical dress, and traditional gender roles. In addition, the author included more recent events that children can relate to such as the Norwegian volleyball team in 2021 challenging their uniforms and a British swimmer in the Tokyo Olympics representing African American women in 2020. My daughters (ages 6 and 8) were shocked at the dress requirements for sports and enjoyed this book especially since we studied colonial dress prior to this. Thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this fun, educational title.
December 29, 2025
This nonfiction picture book explores how women throughout history have designed new types of clothes to better perform at sports. The illustrations show women struggling to ride bikes and play sports in restrictive, frilly dresses and other unsuitable clothes, and then shows the alternative outfits that women devised so that they could play and compete at their best. The text and illustrations work well together, and the story is simple enough for young children while having enough detail to interest older kids and adults.
The note at the end also gives contemporary examples, such as a Black swimmer's modified swim cap, to show that this journey continues in the present day. This book will appeal to people who are interested in women's empowerment and sports history, and it includes interesting facts and trivia that will be new to most readers.
I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The note at the end also gives contemporary examples, such as a Black swimmer's modified swim cap, to show that this journey continues in the present day. This book will appeal to people who are interested in women's empowerment and sports history, and it includes interesting facts and trivia that will be new to most readers.
I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
December 24, 2025
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway!!!
First - the book is beautifully put together, the illustrations are fabulous and such a wonderful invitation to the touch and the eyes to want to sit down and read through it - and learn about the changes in sports clothing over the years - a mini history lesson of sorts to be sure!!
While I have seen photos and realized that clothing of women athletes have certainly changed over the years - until this beautiful book I never realized the how and the who of this happening!
From 1805 to 2005 and beyond - boy has sporting wear changed - for the better -! This book is beautiful, it's entertaining, it's informative and a joy to read!
I recommend it for everyone!!!
I enjoyed this book so much and look forward to sharing it with our community in our Little Free Library that's located at the end of our driveway!!
First - the book is beautifully put together, the illustrations are fabulous and such a wonderful invitation to the touch and the eyes to want to sit down and read through it - and learn about the changes in sports clothing over the years - a mini history lesson of sorts to be sure!!
While I have seen photos and realized that clothing of women athletes have certainly changed over the years - until this beautiful book I never realized the how and the who of this happening!
From 1805 to 2005 and beyond - boy has sporting wear changed - for the better -! This book is beautiful, it's entertaining, it's informative and a joy to read!
I recommend it for everyone!!!
I enjoyed this book so much and look forward to sharing it with our community in our Little Free Library that's located at the end of our driveway!!
January 2, 2026
"This Skirt Won't Work!: How Women Athletes Changed Their Clothes and Changed the Game," by Jennifer Cooper, is a book with fun pictures about how women made a difference and by changing what they wore when playing games made them more efficient and made a mark in the world of sports and games.
This is an entertaining book that tells the history of women in the game of sports and what a big difference they came to make once the changed what they wore, very suitable for children to see how women got to where they are today when it come to seeing what to wear while playing sports or games. It is easy and fun language recommended to children of all ages after three or four. Good read and good history.
This is an entertaining book that tells the history of women in the game of sports and what a big difference they came to make once the changed what they wore, very suitable for children to see how women got to where they are today when it come to seeing what to wear while playing sports or games. It is easy and fun language recommended to children of all ages after three or four. Good read and good history.
September 26, 2025
I received an electronic ARC from SOURCEBOOKS Kids through NetGalley.
A look back at the courageous women who changed athletics for the better. Readers see women in a variety of sports change their uniforms to be more streamlined to meet their needs. They took on the naysayers and stood up to those who said they could not wear the new designs. The artwork shows readers the clothing they first played in and then the adjustments/changes they made. Reader can see the expressions on the women and the people who were scandalized in the background. A first look at history book for elementary level readers.
A look back at the courageous women who changed athletics for the better. Readers see women in a variety of sports change their uniforms to be more streamlined to meet their needs. They took on the naysayers and stood up to those who said they could not wear the new designs. The artwork shows readers the clothing they first played in and then the adjustments/changes they made. Reader can see the expressions on the women and the people who were scandalized in the background. A first look at history book for elementary level readers.
September 29, 2025
A wonderful addition to children's non-fiction. Girls will be intrigued by some of the old-fashioned clothing items and even more intrigued by the fact that women wore these while riding bicycles, playing hockey or soccer. The author includes modern-day women's sports - gymnastics, volleyball and swimming. There is a section in the back which gives more information about the athletes mentioned in the book. This would be a great jumping-off place for children to create more interest and do further research into these women, their historical dress and changing gender roles as well as empowerment.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Explore, in exchange for a review.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Explore, in exchange for a review.
October 8, 2025
What an awesome look back at the bold and athletic women who challenged gender stereotypes! To be able to play their beloved sports better, women like Katherine 'Kittie' Knox and Lily Parr dared to dress in something other than a skirt, proving that how you look doesn't need to define all that you do. With rhyming lines and engaging illustrations, their stories of the past are celebrated alongside a back page that highlights more recent measures in sports that aim to make the playing field more inclusive and comfortable (like finally embracing hijabs and full-length leotards!)
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 5, 2025
I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.
This book is great! I love how it shows the different sports and the women who changed how they dressed to preform them better. It could have gone into some of the struggles they faced by doing this a little more but overall a fun, informative picture book that gives girls power to chose what they want to wear while doing the sports they love!
This book is great! I love how it shows the different sports and the women who changed how they dressed to preform them better. It could have gone into some of the struggles they faced by doing this a little more but overall a fun, informative picture book that gives girls power to chose what they want to wear while doing the sports they love!
December 26, 2025
I loved the concept of this book, and I enjoyed reading it, however my 4 year old granddaughter had a difficult time keeping her attention as well as understanding the difference between 1800 and 2025. At the end of the book are some interesting chapters on women from history and their exceptional stats, but by this time, my granddaughter was moving on to other things. Due to my granddaughter's lack of interest, I gave the book a 3 star.
December 30, 2025
What a great book! We’re all familiar with the overarching story of how women fought for the autonomy to wear clothes that fit the task, but this is the first book I’ve read that shares the names and stories of women who changed the game, and in a way that I can share with my kids. I’m better off having read it, and we’re better off because of these women.
January 6, 2026
This Skirt Won’t Work! is an inspiring and eye-opening look at how women athletes fought for fair gear and, in the process, reshaped the world of sports. It celebrates resilience, innovation, and the power of challenging outdated norms, showing that progress isn’t just about winning games, but changing the rules.
December 1, 2025
Arc
What a lovely book. It traces the history of women's sports and sports clothes in a light-hearted and genuine way. I also really enjoyed the backmatter where Cooper includes recent history with athletic uniform changes as well.
What a lovely book. It traces the history of women's sports and sports clothes in a light-hearted and genuine way. I also really enjoyed the backmatter where Cooper includes recent history with athletic uniform changes as well.
September 30, 2025
ARC from Edelweiss.
October 18, 2025
lucu sih
November 17, 2025
as a (retired) woman athlete, this book hit close to home and i loved it so much !
December 17, 2025
A perfect book for girls to read and want to play sports.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews