Dress codes: meanings and messages in American culture

Abstract

Introduction Dress in Societal Discourse Nineteenth-Century Theories of Clothing Characteristics Of Modern Social Discourse New Institutional Patterns of Discourse Dressing the Public Self Clothing Signs And Social Imperatives The Image of Power The Image of Authority Gender Images Seductive Images Clothing Symbols And Cultural Values Wealth and Beauty Leisure and Political Hierarchy Commerce and Fashion Beauty as Perfection of Physical Form The Youth Ideal The Health Ideal Publicspeak Clothing Tie-Signs Clothing Tie-Symbols The Presidency and Contemporary Fashion The Personal Self Conclusion