Suitable : The Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men

Chapin, Chloe

Oxford University Press Inc（2026/09発売）

• 製本 Hardcover:ハードカバー版／ページ数 352 p.
• 言語 ENG
• 商品コード 9780197842485

Full Description

The surprising story of how the plain black suit became a symbol of masculinity, democracy, and modernity.

How did black suits become so ubiquitous? Why has men's business clothing been so plain for the last 250 years? How did a style adopted by the Founding Fathers to differentiate themselves from European contemporaries become the dominant style for men around the globe?

Suitable traces the shift from the colorful, flamboyant attire of the eighteenth century to the plain dark suit of the nineteenth century, characterizing this style evolution as a "Sartorial Revolution." In this book, American historian and costume designer Chloe Chapin traces the evolution of masculine style from the American Revolution through the Civil War and shows how men's suits shaped relationships of gender and power. Drawing on a wealth of visual and written sources, she shows how the plainness of suits symbolized new ideals of rationality and democracy and played a crucial role in framing the lasting identity and authority of American men. This richly illustrated book analyzes fashion history's impact on gender dynamics and emphasizes the dynamic relationships between bodies, clothing, and personal identity.

Suitable demonstrates the significance of fashion beyond mere appearance, illustrating the key role modern men's suits have played in shaping the modern world.

Contents

Acknowledgements Preface: Deciding What is Suitable Introduction: A Brotherhood of Men Chapter 1: Peacocks to Penguins Chapter 2: Made in America Chapter 3: The Engineering of Men Chapter 4: Suits in the Streets Chapter 5: The Suit and the State Conclusion: What Suits Hath Wrought Endnotes Bibliography Index