Clothing Through History

Beckett Van Why

Clothing has always been a topic for discussion, one that has never truly been settled throughout the ages. There is, however, a series of these adornments that are important parts of  our history. These are the clothes worn during the 1920's and the 1250’s. Pierre Lorillard is the original designer of the tuxedo, most popular in the early 1920s. The origin of the mediaeval armour and peasant clothing is unknown but was widely used in the 1250s. It is important to remember and be able to use these as a part of our history.

The tuxedo is known for being a fancy and dress-up article of clothing. In the 1920’s the tuxedo was the average wear of a middle to high class citizen. Taking away the sense of scarcity that makes them so fancy today. This makes a sense of status when one wears it, forming their appeal. 

Many believe it to be "Fancy"-Kari Fyock or "Very good for special occasions"-James Smith. However, is this a problem? Tuxedos work as fancy clothing but are growing in price and scarcity. As of 2023, the average price of the tuxedo is five hundred dollars. Compare this to the 1920s when tuxedos were merely one hundred dollars. The price has grown quite largely and will not drop soon if they stay in the direction they are headed. Once prices rise past seven hundred or even six, people will stop buying and only the super-rich will be able to afford them, marking the end of their life. At the end of their life, this will create a sort of void within the history of clothing; a place where our attire for nearly thirty years is gone.

From the 1200’s to the 1300’s “peasant” and “knight” armour was a common frame of apparel that people, such as farmers, would wear. Peasant clothing was seen as a sign of wealth aridity, therefore creating a contrast between that and mediaeval knights' armour. “If you own a set of armour, you definitely were a rich dude,”-James Smith. A mediaeval knight's armour was a sign of honour and status, much as the tuxedo is today. To acquire a suit of armour you would have to have been born from a noble family, be a middle or younger child, and have trained beyond squirehood to obtain your status as a knight. This created an image of scarcity and therefore status.  

In the current era, Mediaeval equipment is seen as a symbol of your ideology and interests. “Definitely unique and specialised to a certain class of people”-Jesse Rodriguez. You either take the time and money to make the adornments or you do not. This is similar to tuxedos in that they are both for special occasions, cost money, and take some time.

Both articles of clothing have their properties and times that they are seen as appropriate for wearing; namely defined by the culture you place yourself in. Their name connection is that of scarcity, creating a public image. Both today and long ago scarcity has defined the clothing culture and designated what discerns clothes as inferior, odd, and unpopular. The main thing to understand is that people lean towards what is seen as fashionable now. Is mediaeval attire eschewed? Are tuxedos going to fall through? Or are they going to stay, relics of our past and an insight into the books of history?