The Wasp — 1893 — page 484: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical illustration depicts a social commentary on gender and class in early 1900s San Francisco. A well-dressed gentleman in formal attire stands watching a woman in an ornate patterned dress bending over, apparently examining or adjusting her footwear. The caption jokes about rainy weather and women's clothing choices. The dialogue suggests a critique of San Francisco women who wear rubber shoes during rain—implying they're not "true San Francisco girls" who would brave wet weather in regular hosiery. The humor derives from mocking both feminine vanity (concerns about appearance) and practical adaptation to weather, with the gentleman's gaze suggesting voyeuristic observation. The satire targets local women's fashion choices and propriety standards of the era.