Dress codes evolved along with the social and political ideals of the day, but they always reflected struggles for power and status. Sumptuary laws > History.For centuries, clothing has been a wearable status symbol fashion, a weapon in struggles for social change and dress codes, a way to maintain political control. Clothing and dress > Law and legislation > History. Search for related items by subject Subject:Ĭlothing and dress > Social aspects > History. He is the author of the New York Times notable books The Race Card and Rights Gone Wrong: How Law Corrupts the Struggle for Equality.

He has written about law, social and cultural issues and race relations for The New York Times, The Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and Slate, and has appeared on The Colbert Report and The Rachel Maddow Show. Richard Thompson Ford is a Professor at Stanford Law School. Whether addressing codpieces, Ruth Bader Ginsberg's lace collars, dreadlocks in the workplace, or pandemic curbside cocktail party attire, Ford's writing is fresh, informative, and thoroughly enjoyable. His engaging text provides ample historical and social context, and is sprinkled with period quotes, cartoons, photos, and advertisements. He reflects on how fashion choices (including nudity) can reaffirm identity, assert individuality, and camouflage nature or intent.

Instead, Ford considers broad themes in chapters with titles like From Rags to Resistance, Piercing the Veil, and Recoding Gender, citing examples from various cultures and time periods. This is not a straightforward, chronological history of fashion. Stanford law professor Ford (Rights Gone Wrong, 2011), once a runner-up in Esquire's Best Dressed Real Man contest, explores the symbolism of attire, beginning ostensibly in the middle ages and tackling just about every aspect of personal adornment from body piercing to cultural appropriation, from togas to grillz. Booklist Reviews : Booklist Reviews 2021 January #1 This is an overview of dress codes and how they communicate messages about cultural, political, religious, class, and tribal affiliations.

Dress codes by richard thompson ford