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Dress Codes: How the Laws of Fashion Made History

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Arrives May 8 – May 10
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Description

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. Dress codes evolved along with the social and political ideals of the day, but they always reflected struggles for power and status. In the 1700s, South Carolina's "Negro Act" made it illegal for Black people to dress "above their condition." In the 1920s, the bobbed hair and form-fitting dresses worn by free-spirited flappers were banned in workplaces throughout the United States, and in the 1940s the baggy zoot suits favored by Black and Latino men caused riots in cities from coast to coast.Even in today's more informal world, dress codes still determine what we wear, when we wear it-and what our clothing means. And even when there are no written rules, implicit dress codes still influence opportunities and social mobility. Silicon Valley CEOs wear t-shirts and flip flops, setting the tone for an entire industry: Women wearing fashionable dresses or high heels face ridicule in the tech world and some venture capitalists refuse to invest in any company run by someone wearing a suit.In Dress Codes, law professor and cultural critic Richard Thompson Ford presents an insightful and entertaining history of the laws of fashion from the middle ages to the present day. Read more

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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: May 8 – May 10

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Completely Engaging.
Format: Paperback
Being a student of history and fashion (I sew) this was of great interest to me. I fond it engaging, thought provoking, and just entertaining. I read mostly nunfiction, this one is a keeper. I would love to have a coffee and chat with the auther of this book.
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2026 by Kristina Finan

  • Well-researched, very interesting, very well thought-out!
Format: Hardcover
Top read! I really appreciate how much time and research went into this. I ended up looking up the word "sartorial" pretty quickly because it is used a bunch. :) A very, very interesting read. I learned a lot that I didn't know, about menswear especially. I particularly appreciated the author's ability to put words to a lot of social subtleties regarding norms of clothing and dress that are difficult to verbalize or even realize consciously at times. This really helped me clarify some of my own thoughts about clothing and social expectations. I would love to see more books like this, since the nuances of clothing and people's responses to it is such a broad topic, and a more important one than most people realize it is, as the author so articulately and convincingly observes. Excellent read!! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2021 by a new person

  • History, culture, and psychology all in one book.
Format: Hardcover
I bought this book because, as a former fashion design professor, the topic naturally intrigued me. It is well researched, full of cultural and historical references, and offers great insights about why we dress the way we do. It is not a quick read because it feels a bit more like a textbook and reference guide, but it is well worth the time and I thoroughly enjoyed it. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2021 by Mary M.

  • Terrific!
Format: Kindle
This is an entertaining and thorough examination of dress, body, and hair throughout the centuries . the evolution seems logical but maybe not . it does make me wonder what comes next . what Will we all be wearing 50 years from now? what sort of hairdos? Thanks for this book Richard Ford.
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2024 by Maggie O

  • Fun read on fashion!
Format: Kindle
This was a very interesting history of fashion and how it has shaped our society. I learned a lot about how fashion is used to control people and restrict what they can do. I also learned that fashion is freedom and how people truly express themselves. Definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in history and self-expression ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2021 by Sean Lynott

  • Trustworthy
Format: Hardcover
as advertised. quick and in good condition
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2025 by David Cisek

  • Very few pictures
Format: Hardcover
I purchased for hubby who was in the clothing business. I thought there would be more pictures. It was almost entirely text. Back it went.
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2021 by Janie Breck

  • Really entertaining, with a very slight caveat
Format: Hardcover
I've just started this book and already know I'll finish it quickly. It's smart, insightful, and Richard's language is easy and engaging. My one caveat is that I have already run into four parenthetical phrases that read: (Insert, Image #__). The phrases are in bold and seem to suggest a draft that called for images that were never placed in the text but appear instead in separate collections of color plates. Again, an incredibly small issue and I blame the folks at Simon & Schuster for letting this mixup get to print. Richard's excellent book deserved a better proofreader. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2021 by JSB

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