In 1918 Flossie Browning, a young lady from El Paso, Texas, came to Richmond for a visit and a little shopping. Finding a good buy - a blue dress at a local store - she decided to put it on and go see what else the town had to offer. Her first decision was to take in a matinee at a local movie house. After the show, she continued her stroll down Broad Street, and that's when another show began.

Soon she was being followed by large crowds, including Mayor George Ainslie and Chief of Police Werner. They had been alerted by an anonymous phone call. By 9th and Main Streets the crowd had grown so large there was fear that it would impede traffic.
 
According to the Richmond News Leader, "The gown was blue and slashed on the right to several inches above the knee cap. The stockings were very sheer and at each step taken by the woman, the mayor and the chief had visions of her - well, they saw more than the law allows".

Chief Werner stepped to her side and said, "This won't do at all". Her reply: "Indeed! Well, I bought and paid for this dress and I'm going to wear it anywhere I want". She was arrested and told to appear in court the next day. When court opened, with Judge John A. Crutchfield presiding, "the largest crowd in its history" was on hand. The dress was exhibit "A".
 
The defendant's lawyer suggested that the Judge might be better able to see the defendant's point of view if she put on the dress "Never", said Judge Crutchfield. "The very idea. It was bad enough for a number of people to see this young woman on the street yesterday. I am mortified at the suggestion."

Miss Browning took the stand to say she had examined the dress before she purchased it. "What happened was this: The slit was held together by basting thread. I thought it was sewed together. So when I started walking the basting threads came out, allowing the slit to open. I had no idea anything was wrong until the Chief of Police told me about it."

Miss Browning's lawyer noted that the dress was purchased at a licensed department store, and that permitted her to wear it. Judge Crutchfield replied that a license for the sale of firearms did not authorize murder.

The charge was indecent exposure. The fine was $25 with an order to leave town. It was said to be one of the first arrests anywhere in the country on this charge.

Browning headed for New York, where she felt she might find a more liberal attitude. She smilingly wore the dress and displayed it for the northern press. They took it in stride.

Author:
Ray Schreiner, "Fifty Plus" News
fiftyplusrichmond.com
 
Webmaster's update, February 2005:
You've come a long way, baby!
 
Virginia lawmakers dropped their droopy-pants bill this week after the whole thing became way too embarrassing, bringing Virginia attention in the national and international news.
 
The bill would have slapped a $50 fine on people who wear their pants so low that their underwear is visible in "a lewd or indecent manner".  The bill passed the state House on Tuesday but was killed by a Senate committee two days later in a unanimous vote.
 
More than 100 years later on the very same Richmond streets walked by young Miss Flossie Browning, Virginia lawmakers seem more preoccupied with "proper attire" than with more pressing criminal matters that concern the majority of Virginia residents. Can Somebody please run for office to represent us common folks here in Virginia?