19364 - Clothes Make the Man (and Woman)

Course Overview

Buy a shirt. You’ve just steeped yourself in history. Why does men’s clothing have standardized sizes while women’s sizes are a guessing game? Is that shirt for a man or a woman? How it buttons in front differs. Wonder why there are two (maybe three) buttons on your blazer’s cuff. It isn’t just modern clothes. Wear your new clothes to a Rembrandt exhibit.  The ruffs in paintings were possible because the Dutch invented starch allowing wagon wheels of lace to surround the face. Ruffs attracted attention to your wealth, but more importantly, they caught lice from unwashed hair before they could migrate to your clothes. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Her greatest sin? Dressing like a man - (egads, she wore pants) - when gender bending in clothing and shoes meant she was a witch. In the 15th century, only men wore high heels. Join us for a romp through history when underwear and pockets didn’t exist. Ever wear a mini skirt? What’s the connection between short skirts and over taxation?