In Selling Style, Rob Schorman accounts for the cultural significance of gender expression and gender differences within fashion. Although, more importantly, he demonstrates an existing relationship between fashion and ideology. He readily provides evidence linking fashion and political expression. He dives readily into fashion trends as they relate to commercial consumerism through method of advertising. Although it is pertinent and quite common to explore the ways and methods in which gender differences exist, Schorman seems to be interested in all the broad ways in which politics, fashion, and gender co-exist within society.
Selling Style provides a thorough detailed account about the cultural importance of clothing, how garments are directly …show more content…
Schorman recounts the historical and cultural landscape that affected fashion trends within society. Clothing advertisers made consistent efforts to change attitudes about style, while a changing political atmosphere amplified patriotic ideals. Aspects of custom-made clothing symbolized and characterized individuality and expression, and became distinguished symbols of status. Custom-made clothing remained significant to women due to their cultural significance. There was a direct shift and evolution of style that advocated fast and cheaper alternatives for women, men and immigrants. His detailed accounts of the political and social landscape within America, showed how intensified views signified a patriotic and less restrictive fashion evolution. Rob Schorman helps us to understand the merit of studying fashion trends as they related to society. Fashion became a way to communicate a person’s values, and has represented a symbol of one’s social identity. This interpretation becomes more apparent when Schorman describes the political atmosphere and the value clothes would have to immigrants looking to start a new life. How something as simple as the garment symbolized a character of contemporary society, and demonstrated …show more content…
Through an assortment of primary sources, he encourages researchers to consider aspects beyond gender identity to probe the impact of fashion as it relates to society. Although he challenges the field of study in this way, there exist other ways in which he can improve or further explain his argument.
Cambridge University Press published an article by Marlis Schweitzer, titled Selling Style: Clothing and Social Change at the Turn of the Century (Review). In the article, the author argues Schorman has made a “persuasively argued, finely researched exploration of the social and cultural factors that shaped the American men and women’s clothing industries in the 1890s” (Schweitzer 536). The author praises Schorman’s insight following the practices of men and women, although, believed first-person account sources could have added a new insightful dimension to his
Selling Style provides a thorough detailed account about the cultural importance of clothing, how garments are directly …show more content…
Schorman recounts the historical and cultural landscape that affected fashion trends within society. Clothing advertisers made consistent efforts to change attitudes about style, while a changing political atmosphere amplified patriotic ideals. Aspects of custom-made clothing symbolized and characterized individuality and expression, and became distinguished symbols of status. Custom-made clothing remained significant to women due to their cultural significance. There was a direct shift and evolution of style that advocated fast and cheaper alternatives for women, men and immigrants. His detailed accounts of the political and social landscape within America, showed how intensified views signified a patriotic and less restrictive fashion evolution. Rob Schorman helps us to understand the merit of studying fashion trends as they related to society. Fashion became a way to communicate a person’s values, and has represented a symbol of one’s social identity. This interpretation becomes more apparent when Schorman describes the political atmosphere and the value clothes would have to immigrants looking to start a new life. How something as simple as the garment symbolized a character of contemporary society, and demonstrated …show more content…
Through an assortment of primary sources, he encourages researchers to consider aspects beyond gender identity to probe the impact of fashion as it relates to society. Although he challenges the field of study in this way, there exist other ways in which he can improve or further explain his argument.
Cambridge University Press published an article by Marlis Schweitzer, titled Selling Style: Clothing and Social Change at the Turn of the Century (Review). In the article, the author argues Schorman has made a “persuasively argued, finely researched exploration of the social and cultural factors that shaped the American men and women’s clothing industries in the 1890s” (Schweitzer 536). The author praises Schorman’s insight following the practices of men and women, although, believed first-person account sources could have added a new insightful dimension to his