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Originally serialized in 1915 in
The Forerunner, and never before published in book form,
The Dress of Women presents Gilman's feminist sociological analysis of clothing in modern society. Gilman explores the social and functional basis for clothing, excavates the symbolic role of women's clothing in patriarchal societies, and, among other things, explicates the aesthetic and economic principles of socially responsible clothing design. The introduction, by Hill and Deegan, situates
The Dress of Women within Gilman's intellectual work as a sociologist, and relates her sociological ideas to the themes she developed in some of her other works.
Although written in 1915, Gilman's treatment of clothing and dress remains relevant. This pioneering effort adds substantially to Gilman's reputation as a sociological theorist and feminist. In addition, it represents one of the earliest full-length specifically sociological analyses of clothing and the fashion industry. Ultimately, the author concludes that harmful and degrading aspects of women's dress are amenable to reform if men and women will work together rationally to change the controlling institutional patterns of the society in which they live. This groundbreaking work will appeal to those interested in Gilman, feminist theory, sociological theory, social psychology, women's literature, and women's studies.
List of contents
Introduction
Prefatory Note
Primary Motives in Clothing
Some Modifying Forces
The Principle Involved
Physical Health and Beauty
Beauty vs. Sex Distinction
The Hat
Decorative Art, Trimmings, and Ornament
Humanitarian and Economic Considerations
Larger Economic Considerations
The Force Called Fashion
Fashion and Psychology
Hope and Comfort
Endnotes
Index
About the author
CHARLOTTE PERKINS GILMAN was an eminent feminist sociologist and novelist, perhaps best known for
Women in Economics (1898) and, as a fiction writer, for her semi-autobiographical work The Yellow Wallpaper (1892).
MICHAEL R. HILL is an interdisciplinary social scientist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and holds doctorates in both sociology and geography. He is the author of
Walking, Crossing Streets and Choosing Pedestrian Routes (1984) and
Archival Strategies and Techniques (1993), and editor or co-editor of Harriet Martineau's
Women and Symbolic Interaction (1987) and Gilman's
With Her in Ourland: Sequel to Herland (Greenwood, 1997). He edits the journal
Sociological Origins. In 2000, Hill became Chairman of the History of Sociology section of the American Sociological Association.
MARY JO DEEGAN is Professor of Sociology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her publications include
Women and Disability (1985),
Jane Addams and the Men of the Chicago School, 1892-1918 (1988),
American Ritual Dramas (Greenwood, 1989), and
Women in Sociology: A Bio-Bibliographic Sourcebook (Greenwood, 1991). She is editor of
American Ritual Tapestry (Greenwood, 1998), George Herbert Mead's
Play, School, and Society (1999),
Essays in Social Psychology: George Herbert Mead's First Book (forthcoming),
A Voice from Chicago: The Collected Works of Fannie Barrier Williams (forthcoming), and co-editor of
Women and Symbolic Interaction (1987) and Gilman's
With Her in Ourland: Sequel to Herland (Greenwood, 1997).
