Books › The language of clothes
The language of clothes
279 pages
A witty, sharp-eyed decoding of the secret messages we broadcast every time we get dressed.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like walking through a crowded city street with a brilliantly observant, slightly wry sociologist whispering in your ear. It transforms the mundane act of getting dressed into a fascinating study of human behavior, decoding the secret language of lapels, hemlines, and color palettes. The pace is steady and conversational, driven by sharp insights rather than narrative tension. The prose is elegant and accessible, blending the erudition of an academic with the wit of a novelist. The mood is deeply curious and intellectually playful, inviting you to look closer at the fabric of society. It will delight cultural critics, fashion enthusiasts, and anyone who loves uncovering the hidden psychological codes behind everyday choices.
- Mood
- intellectual
- curious
- reflective
- playful
- Tone
- wry
- observant
- analytical
- witty
- erudite
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- semiotics of style · hidden social codes · identity performance · psychology of self-presentation · cultural history
- The writing
- Sharp, articulate, and accessible, blending academic rigor with the engaging flair of a seasoned novelist.
- The arc
- Moves from casual curiosity about everyday garments to a profound realization of the complex social signaling we engage in daily.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love cultural critique and fashion history, and who enjoy dissecting the hidden meanings behind everyday human behavior.
Content notes
- discussions of historical sexism
- discussions of classism
About the book
In this exhaustive and entertaining study, Alison Lurie shows what the clothes we choose to wear say about us. Approaching clothing from four perspectives -- historical, social logical, psychological, anthropological -- she demonstrates how color, fabric and cut are not mere whims of designers or manufacturers but constitute a vocabulary and grammar as precise and full of subconscious intent as any verbal language: how our clothes announce our sex, age and class and often give important information (or misinformation) about our occupation, geographical origin, personality, opinions, tastes, sexual desires and current mood. - Back cover.
Description from Open Library.
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