Robin Mack Davis is convinced that no one looks in a mirror before they leave home anymore. From the view of her South Elm Street shop, Mack and Mack Clothing, she sees knits and jeans everywhere.

When it comes to the history of women's fashion, taking the gloves off to fight can be taken in a very literal sense.

People seem to hate the pantsuit because it includes, well, pants - which happen to be one of the most controversial garments in women’s clothing.

Over the past several years, Hillary Clinton has transformed her signature pantsuit—a loose-fitting jacket that runs to the mid-thigh, paired with lightly tapered pants—into a rallying cry for female empowerment.

As a historian of women and clothing, I see Clinton’s pantsuit – and those who criticize it – as the latest chapter in a long history of people telling women what they can and can’t wear

Over the past several years, Hillary Clinton has transformed her signature pantsuit – a loose fitting jacket that runs to the mid-thigh paired with lightly tapered pants – into a rallying cry for female empowerment. In early October, a pantsuit-clad flash mob popped up in New York City’s Union Square, dancing to a Justin Timberlake song in a show of support for Clinton. And on the Friday before the election, Beyonce and her backup dancers took the stage donning pantsuits during a pro-Clinton concert.

As a historian of women and clothing, I see Clinton’s pantsuit – and those who criticize it – as the latest chapter in a long history of people telling women what they can and can’t wear.

Why does the pantsuit rankle so many Americans?