logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2021
11m 43s

A tailored history of who wears what -- ...

TED
About this episode

From puffy trousers to pantsuits and everything in between, law professor and author Richard Thompson Ford takes us on a fascinating tour through the history of fashion and the evolution of dress codes that still influence style today, tracing the real consequences people face for the way they dress. He offers an insightful and eye-opening explanation about why people care so much about what others wear -- and explains why you should think twice before calling the fashion police.

Vote for our show in the Signal Awards for Most Inspirational podcast!


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
Sunday Pick: Can AI really teach your kids? with Leah Belsky | from WorkLife with Molly Graham
Technology has been promising to revolutionize education for a long time. Online learning, smartphones, and even asynchronous classes during COVID seemed for a while like they might finally transform what learning can look like, but all we really learned was that changing educati ... Show More
51m 9s
Yesterday
Why the future is human ... plus AI | Sal Khan and Esther Perel
As AI reshapes work, school and love, what part of being human can't a machine take over? In a wide-ranging conversation, psychotherapist Esther Perel and TED's vision steward Sal Khan provide their unique takes on the answer. From personalized learning and AI companions to "emot ... Show More
23m 39s
Oct 9
The three words that saved my life | Blake Mycoskie
On paper, Blake Mycoskie is a glowing success story: he founded TOMS Shoes, building a global brand that has given away more than 100 million pairs of shoes to children in need. Yet despite his success, his struggle with depression nearly cost him his life. In this personal talk, ... Show More
18m 48s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
fashion history, a talk with richard thompson ford [video]
[video available on spotify] i love fashion but i wouldn't consider myself a fashion nerd. i'm not super educated on the history of fashion and so that’s why i'm excited to speak to richard thompson ford. he’s a stanford law professor and fashion history expert. richard’s also th ... Show More
48m 42s
Mar 2022
158. Killer Fashion
How much do you know about the lethal price people have paid over the centuries to look fashionable? In today's episode Tom and Dominic are joined by Dr. Alison Matthews David to discuss the dark secrets behind the history of garments. Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-free ... Show More
56m 37s
Apr 2025
History's Most Ridiculous Clothing, with AJ Jacobs: Part One
It's no secret that history is filled with relatively arbitrary fashion rules, fads and faux pas -- and what may be hot stuff in one era often ends up being seen as cringeworthy in later years. But how ridiculous does clothing of yesteryear get? In part one of this week's special ... Show More
29m 12s
Jul 2023
Fashion
Tweed suits, penny loafers: who said philosophers were out of touch? In episode 81 of Overthink, Ellie and David talk everything from Shein to Ferragamo, from high school lunchbox trends to Machiavelli’s nightgowns. As they chart the history of clothing, and the shift from functi ... Show More
53m 23s
Dec 2024
Men's Style - The Thinking Man's Guide to Dress by Russell Smith
In today's podcast we exploe "Men's Style - The Thinking Man's Guide to Dress" by Russell Smith, a complex interplay between men's fashion, social class, and personal expression. We examine historical and contemporary perspectives on menswear, tracing the evolution of conventions ... Show More
14m 1s
May 2024
Why Fashion History Matters: Lessons From Our Past to Save Our Future
Recorded live at the recent Project Threadways symposium hosted by the ethical brand Alabama Chanin, we explore four past Dressed topics to underscore the importance of understanding the materials to go into our clothes and valuing the people that make them. Want more Dressed: Th ... Show More
47m 20s
Dec 2024
Tim Gunn's Fashion Bible - The Fascinating History of Everything in Your Close
In today’s episode, we dive into Tim Gunn's "Fashion Bible", a captivating exploration of Western fashion, particularly American style. Together, we trace the fascinating evolution of wardrobe staples like jeans, dresses, T-shirts, and underwear, uncovering their origins, cultura ... Show More
32m 56s
Apr 2023
Victorian Wardrobe Secrets
If someone from the future looked inside your wardrobe, what could they find out about your life? That you like going out to parties? Maybe your work uniform is in there? Or perhaps there is still evidence of fashion trends of yore, like the oh-so-low rise jeans of the early noug ... Show More
32m 43s