How did the Puritans’ beliefs impact laws about clothing for men and women? Why did women in the 18th century pin their garments while men used buttons? What was garment factory work like for women in the 19th century? Even in the poverty-stricken 1930s, why did styles still change? What made Jackie Kennedy’s clothing choices more influential than those of any other First Lady? When did “fast fashion” begin? Fashion and its cultural and political contexts are inseparable, as this course will demonstrate by progressing through American history and fashion from early colonization to the present. Students will gain understanding of the influencers, designers, and tradespeople behind what people wore. They will learn about fabric production, garment construction, and the messages clothing conveys. Course assignments will involve such activities as critiquing costuming in period films and shows, sketching and analyzing garments, and making brief class presentations.