If you’ve watched many period dramas, you’ve probably seen a mantua. It was worn over a pair of stays (corset) and an often contrasting petticoat. The draping fabric created a front-opening gown.
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Articles on Dresses
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As fashion norms change, what people wear in public becomes ground zero for hashing out new ideas of race, class and gender.
More famous men are wearing dresses, harking back to ancient times, when androgynous clothing was the norm. But for male dresses to truly take off they might need a style separate to women’s.
The subject of a new Netflix miniseries, Halston once ruled over New York’s fashion world. But the designer with a devil-may-care approach to his business dealings attempted too much, too quickly.
In the past, maintaining physical distance was an important aspect of public life – and clothes played a big role.
This might sound over the top and rather wasteful. But rental wedding dresses are not uncommon.
Will men ever escape the tyranny of trousers?
Top contributors
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Fashion historian, Edith Cowan University
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Visiting Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve University
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Masculinities Scholar, Cardiff Metropolitan University
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Lecturer in Industrial Design, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
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Lecturer of Apparel, Events and Hospitality Management, Iowa State University
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Morrill Professor of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management, Iowa State University
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Associate Professor of History, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
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Senior Lecturer, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University
