Dress Codes and Fashion Rules Through History with Richard Thompson Ford

The Photo Detective

In this episode, Maureen talks with Richard Thompson Ford, author of “Dress Codes: How the Laws of Fashion Made History.” They explore how fashion has been used throughout history as a way to reinforce class structures, gender roles, and social norms. Though dress codes are not as overt today, Richard explains how unwritten fashion rules still dictate what we wear.

• The “Straw Hat Riot” of 1922 erupted over men wearing straw hats past September 15th
• High heels originated as a masculine fashion, first worn by Persian horseback riders to lock into stirrups
• The flapper look in the 1920s was the first successful “rational dress” movement for women
• Tartans emerged as symbols of Scottish identity partly in reaction to British dress codes banning them
• Though we think fashion is casual today, there are still unwritten “uniforms” in many industries and social groups

Related Episodes:
Episode 91:Suffragists and Suffragettes: Fashion and the Vote

Episode 155: Ancestral Handbag History with Curator Jessica Harpley

Links:

• Richard Thompson Ford
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About My Guest:

Richard Thompson Ford is Professor of Law at Stanford Law School. He writes about law, social and cultural issues and race relations and has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, CNN and Slate. 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 appeared on The Colbert Report, The Rachel Maddow Show, and The Dylan Rattigan Show. He is a member of the American Law Institute and serves on the board of the Authors Guild Foundation. Quite to his surprise, he was one of 25 semi-finalists in Esquire magazine’s Best Dressed Real Man contest in 2009.

About Maureen Taylor:

Maureen Taylor, The Photo DetectiveÒhelps clients with photo-related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall

I'm thrilled to be offering something new. Photo investigations. These collaborative one-on-one sessions. Look at your family photos then you and I meet to discuss your mystery images. And find out how each clue and hint might contribute to your family history. Find out more by going to maureentaylor.com and clicking on family photo investigations.

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