The language of clothes

Alison Lurie First published 1981

About this 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.

Subjects

  • clothing and dress
  • clothing and dress, social aspects
  • costume
  • fashion
  • psychology
  • social aspects
  • social aspects of clothing and dress
  • social aspects of fashion