Main content

Men dressing up - The male 'suit'

Sociological discussion programme. Laurie Taylor explores how a new generation of men are thrilling to the pleasures of costume.

The male 'suit': Christopher Breward, Professor of Cultural History at the University of Edinburgh, talks to Laurie Taylor about the myriad forms and meanings of a garment which has dominated men's wardrobes for 400 years. From Saville Row to Wall St; in times of crisis, as well as celebration; the tailored suit is so ubiquitous that we take it for granted, ignoring its complex history and many varieties, including the Zoot Suit and Le Smoking. Although it embodies ideas of traditional masculinity and respectability, it has also been subverted by women, musicians and revolutionaries

Also, men 'dressing up'. Barbara Brownie, a senior lecturer at University of Hertfordshire, explores how, in recent years, the wearing of costumes has become an increasingly masculine pursuit. Through historical re-enactment, superhero 'cosplay', and the personalisation of characters in online games, a new generation of men are taking pleasure in costume.
Producer: Jayne Egerton.

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Mon 19 Sep 2016 00:15

RELATED LINKS





READING LIST聽

Christopher Breward, The Suit - Form, Function and Style,聽(Reaktion Books, 2016)

Barbara Brownie, Acts of Undressing - Politics, Eroticism, and Discarded Clothing, (Bloomsbury - due to be published November 2016)


Broadcasts

  • Wed 14 Sep 2016 16:00
  • Mon 19 Sep 2016 00:15

Explore further with The Open University

大象传媒 Thinking Allowed is produced in partnership with The Open University

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.

Podcast