As we think about the material restrictions that were imposed through sumptuary laws in America during WWII, we can think about the ways that dress can indicate a sense of community and belonging, and also the ways that racial bias can play into how certain types of garments are understood by others in a society.
- First, read the article “The Politics of the Hoodie” which was written by Troy Patterson in 2016 and was published in the New York Times.
- Then, consider these questions:
- What stands out to you about the history of this garment, the hoodie?
- Do you agree with the author, that clothing retailers should consider what kinds of bodies garments like hoodies are modeled on?
- Do you see any relationship between this garment and the Zoot Suit of the 1940s?
