Sustainable Manners: Practical Advice on Dress for Women in American Etiquette Books from the Nineteenth to the Twenty-First Centuries

Alina Osokina
Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice

About this Item

Title
Sustainable Manners: Practical Advice on Dress for Women in American Etiquette Books from the Nineteenth to the Twenty-First Centuries
Contributor Names
Osokina, Alina (Author)
Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York. Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice (Degree granting institution)
Byrd, Sarah (Thesis advisor)
Date
2022
Degree Information
M.A. Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York 2022.
Department: Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice.
Advisors: Byrd, Sarah. Committee members: Font, Lourdes; Carlson, Brooke.
Abstract
This paper is dedicated to the exploration of clothing etiquette as an alternative narrative to fashion—particularly fast fashion with its quick change of trends and poor quality commonly linked with harmful consequences to the environment and people. New theoretical and practical developments on the topic of sustainability emphasize the importance of consumer behavior. The survey of twenty-four American etiquette manuals from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries will demonstrate that some values and practical recommendations regarding clothes are similar to the ones commonly brought up in the contemporary sustainable or slow fashion discourse. Moderation in clothing choices and purchases, the priority of personal style, comfort and health, quality and functionality of material, emphasis on making and repurposing, as well as the proper caring of garments—such a practical approach to clothes developed by the etiquette authors of the past was dictated by the principles of propriety, rationality, and economy. Today, these ideas are also associated with conscious consumption and sustainability. This connection could potentially allow the authors of contemporary etiquette manuals to organically embrace and expand the traditional practical advice on clothes in an eco-friendly and ethical manner to cultivate consumer attitudes. Their input could assist a long-term industry shift from the poorly-made, trendy, and throw-away fashions towards beautiful, comfortable, cherished, and have-forever clothes.
Subject
Sustainability
Etiquette
Etiquette for women
Fashion
Clothing and dress
Clothing trade--Sustainable methods
Rights
In Copyright
The copyright for this work is held by its author/creator(s). Usage of this material beyond what is permitted by copyright law must first be cleared with the rights-holder(s). This work has been made available online by the Fashion Institute of Technology Gladys Marcus Library strictly for research and educational purposes. If you are the copyright holder for this work and have any objections to this work being made available online, please notify us immediately at [email protected].
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Identifier
FIT Repository ID: lb_sc_000899
pqdiss: 29165840
ISBN: 9798438783978
Type
Text
Thesis
Language
eng
Publisher
Ann Arbor : ProQuest Dissertations & Theses,

Citation

Osokina, A. (2022). Sustainable Manners: Practical Advice on Dress for Women in American Etiquette Books from the Nineteenth to the Twenty-First Centuries [Master's thesis, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York]. FIT Institutional Repository. https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/8323
Osokina, Alina. Sustainable Manners: Practical Advice on Dress for Women in American Etiquette Books from the Nineteenth to the Twenty-First Centuries. 2022. Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, Master's thesis. FIT Digital Repository, https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/8323
Osokina, Alina. "Sustainable Manners: Practical Advice on Dress for Women in American Etiquette Books from the Nineteenth to the Twenty-First Centuries." Master's thesis, Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, 2022. https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/8323