clothing and morality

“Is not the most erotic part of the body wherever the clothing affords a glimpse?”
-Roland Barthes (1915-1980)

Social morality and how women dress has greatly affected fashion. Therefore, the modern era has been revolutionary for changes in feminine dress. The most critical development of all—the gradual revealing of the body. A feature story from the website at the University of Texas at Austin sets up this scenario. The Victorian era was deeply invested in preserving feminine morality and wearing clothing that covered the body. A glimpse of a lady’s ankle was shocking in itself in this period.  read more »