Cultural History of Dress and Fashion in the Age of Enlightenment

Eighteenth-century fashion was cosmopolitan and varied, with elite fashions influencing wider dress habits, and austere garments produced in darker fabrics reflecting the puritan middle class and practical approach. Fashions were quickly disseminated and debated, with a preoccupation with taste and a rich illustration of textiles, production, distribution, the body, belief, gender and sexuality, status, ethnicity, and visual and literary representations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The fashion of the 18th century was truly cosmopolitan and diverse, encompassing a wide range of styles and trends. While the extravagant and colorful elite fashions that were often satirized in contemporary satire had a significant impact on wider dress habits, there was also a shift towards more austere garments made in darker fabrics. This reflected the rise of a puritan middle class as well as a more practical approach to dress.

With the advent of print culture and the growing reading public, fashions were disseminated and debated more rapidly than ever before. The demand for fashion magazines grew in tandem with a growing interest in the concept of taste. A Cultural History of Dress and Fashion in the Age of Enlightenment is a comprehensive book that presents essays on various aspects of dress and fashion during this period. The book is richly illustrated with over 100 images, drawing from a wide range of pictorial, textual, and object sources.

The essays cover topics such as textiles, production, distribution, the body, belief, gender and sexuality, status, ethnicity, and visual and literary representations. By exploring these diverse topics, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of the diversity and cultural significance of dress and fashion in the 18th century.

One of the key themes of the book is the way in which fashion was used to express and communicate social and cultural values. The elite fashions of the period were often used to showcase the wealth and power of the ruling classes, while the more modest garments worn by the middle class and working classes reflected their practical needs and values. The book also explores the role of fashion in shaping and defining gender and sexuality norms. During the 18th century, there was a significant shift towards more gender-neutral and androgynous styles, as men and women began to adopt similar clothing patterns and accessories. This was in part due to the influence of Enlightenment ideas about gender equality and the importance of personal expression.

The book also examines the relationship between dress and religion in the 18th century. While some religious groups sought to impose strict dress codes on their members, others embraced more liberal and eclectic styles. The book explores the ways in which fashion was used to express religious beliefs and values, as well as the ways in which it was challenged and subverted by religious authorities.

In conclusion, A Cultural History of Dress and Fashion in the Age of Enlightenment is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of fashion and culture. The book provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to the study of dress and fashion in the 18th century, drawing on a wide range of sources and perspectives. By exploring the diversity and cultural significance of dress and fashion in this period, the book offers a new understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of fashion and its role in shaping society and culture.

Weight: 538g
Dimension: 244 x 170 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350204690