"Ritualistic circumstances"?

[Chirs]

The book I'm reading right now is called The Quest for Meaning: A Guide to Semiotic Theory and Practice by Marcel Danesi who is an anthropologist focusing on language. In his final chapter - Applications - he discusses clothing and fashion, and how these differ and interact. On page 146 he talks about how clothing trends fluctuate and create new meanings for both the clothing and the culture.

Feminism was symbolized largely by women wearing pants. In the 1960s, gender equality was symbolized by unisex fashion, emblemized by the wearing of jeans by both males and females. This dress code gave material substance to feminism and to the social ideology that it was constructing. The reverse situation, incidentally, has not as yet transpired. Except in special ritualistic circumstances - for example, the wearing of a Scottish kilt - Western men have never worn skirts. When they do, it is typically labelled an act of 'transvestitism.'

I had planned to visit him in his office; now I will be sure to be wearing a kilt!

[Chirs]

On a serious note: I understand that 'skirt' refers to a garment that covers from the waist down, to varying lengths, and that robes and leines would not qualify. But are there no historical incidences of a skirt being worn as male attire in The West?

[Mickey]

Makes me think of the Bugs Bunny/Elmer Fudd episode where they act out accordingly to what hat they are wearing.

You can see the depth of my brain pan

[Bugbear]

It's the word "ritualistic" that is throwing me off, the rest I learned to ignore back in college. Sounds like a bit of "top-down-ism," with the dress code giving "material substance to feminism" part. The people had nothing to do with choosing to dress a certain way, or being persuaded in groups to express themselves in commonality...

That, of course, Chirs, means I have no idea what I'm talking about.

[Chirs]

In your defence Bugbear, this is only a small part of a larger work in which the author discusses the reciprocal relationship between signifier and signified - in this case the wearing of jeans by females is the signifier and what is being signified is feminism.

Rather than proposing a one-way relationship wherein agency is removed and "people had nothing to do with choosing to dress a certain way, or being persuaded in groups to express themselves in commonality..." - that people are in some way forced to do something or wear something according to some externally imposed power - Danesi is pointing out that, historically, pants were worn by males and that was reflected in domestic relationships. Most of us are familiar with the expression "... wears the pants in the family." This was too often a situation of male dominance and the feminist movement was an attempt to address that specifically. For this reason women started wearing pants (and burning their bras and rejecting make-up, shaving, and other symbols of traditional female roles). Jeans had meant "outdoor worker", be that a farmer or cowboy but, as it became a symbol of female liberation the meaning changed until today we have no specific meaning attached to jeans and at least a hundred brands to choose from.

[AKScott]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men%27s_skirts

I copy/ paste:

Both the Anglo-Saxons and Normans wore skirted garments, as can be seen in the Bayeux Tapestry. These fashions continued well into the Middle Ages

end quote

I suspect the author was choosing his facts carefully to strengthen his point.

[Chirs]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men%27s_skirts

I copy/ paste:

Both the Anglo-Saxons and Normans wore skirted garments, as can be seen in the Bayeux Tapestry. These fashions continued well into the Middle Ages

end quote

I suspect the author was choosing his facts carefully to strengthen his point.

I see what you're saying, and I was wondering the same thing. However, having looked at the Bayeux Tapestry in your link, it leaves us with the question: Is it a skirt if it starts at the shoulder? If it is then we also have the leine.

[Chirs]

Makes me think of the Bugs Bunny/Elmer Fudd episode where they act out accordingly to what hat they are wearing.

You can see the depth of my brain pan

Good episode!

[mookien]

Chris: Thanks. Now, when I am asked, "Why are you wearing a kilt?", I can simply say, "I'm trapped in a special ritualistic circumstance".

Why didn't I think of that before!?

John

[Bugbear]

Sorry, Chirs, that's just what I saw in the quote. I took some Women's Studies courses in college, and things often leaned in that direction... Brought back memories...
* SCREAM *

Excuse me.