Dress and Identity in America

Preface 1. The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit: Growing Up Sociocultural legacies from his childhood American manhood during World War II Civilian dress and identity during the Second World War Conclusion 2. The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit: The Postwar Years Masculine identity in transition The GI Bill of Rights Postwar marriage Masculine identity in suburbia Fatherhood in the baby boom era TV dads of the 1950s Conclusion 3. The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit: Crisis in Masculinity The feminization of American manhood Conformity and Cold War masculine identity The stress of success Noncomformist Beats, beatniks and bikers Playboys “Lavender Lads” Conclusion 4. Men’s Dress from Ivy League to Continental to Mod Ivy League style Continental suits Accessories Sportswear The dichotomy of desexualized dress and erotic masculine styles The British Invasion: from the London Line to mod Conclusion 5. Ethnic Men’s Identity and Dress The zoot suit The social significance and cultural meaning of the zoot suit The zoot suit riots Soul style in the 1960s Conclusion 6. Women of the Baby Boom Era: Lessons of Youth Feminine role models and expectations American women during World War II Sociocultural changes for women during World War II Conclusion 7. Women’s Identities in the Baby Boom Years Marriage reunions at the end of the war Postwar newlyweds Postwar marriage: not happily ever after Postwar suburban wives Motherhood in the baby boom era TV wives and mothers of the baby boom era Working women of the baby boom era Feminism in the baby boom era Conclusion 8. Women’s Fashions of the Baby Boom Era The New Look Mod and the miniskirt Women’s accessories of the baby boom years Decade of “miracle fabrics” Conclusion 9. Baby Boom Children An era of children Gender role socialization A new consumer demographic Children’s dress Standardization of children’s sizes and textile regulations Children’s body modifications Conclusion End Notes Bibliography Index