Market aΜ€ la mode

Market aΜ€ la mode

By Erin Skye Mackie

Book Description

In Market Γ  la Mode, Erin Skye Mackie unveils the profound cultural forces that shaped British society through the lens of two influential publications, The Tatler and The Spectator. This scholarly exploration reveals how these periodicals became powerful agents of transformation, reshaping not merely clothing preferences but fundamental concepts of identity, commerce, and social values.

Mackie demonstrates how these publications championed what they deemed "natural" fashion while opposing elaborate styles like the hoop-petticoat. Through their pages, they promoted domesticated femininity over worldly sophistication, advocating for refined aesthetic sensibilities rather than flights of fancy or excessive enthusiasm. The author traces how these periodicals positioned bourgeois decency as superior to aristocratic indulgence, effectively establishing new cultural standards.

This examination goes far beyond surface-level fashion commentary. Mackie illuminates how these publications actively defined appropriate spheres of activity for women while simultaneously transforming commerce into a form of entertainment and leisure. The study reveals the complex processes of commodification and the evolution of gender identity within commercial contexts.

For readers interested in understanding how cultural narratives shape personal and collective identity, this work offers valuable insights into the mechanisms through which publications influence social consciousness. Mackie's analysis demonstrates how seemingly superficial discussions of fashion actually carried profound implications for British cultural development and individual self-understanding.

Who Is This For?

πŸ“– Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)

πŸ“„ Length: 303 pages

What You'll Discover

  • βœ“ Explore History and criticism
  • βœ“ Explore Fashion, history
  • βœ“ Explore British Aesthetics
  • βœ“ Explore Aesthetics, British
  • βœ“ Explore Pr925.m26 1997
  • βœ“ Explore English essays, history and criticism
  • βœ“ Explore Literature and society--england--history--18th century
  • βœ“ Explore Fashion--history

Topics Covered

History and criticism Fashion, history British Aesthetics Aesthetics, British Pr925.m26 1997 English essays, history and criticism Literature and society--england--history--18th century Fashion--history English essays--history and criticism English essays--18th century--history and criticism Ethics, Modern Social life and customs English periodicals--history Fashion in literature Fashion--england--history--18th century Ethics, modern--18th century Sex role in literature Literature and society English essays English periodicals Aesthetics, british--18th century Middle class in literature 072/.1/09033 English periodicals--history--18th century Commercial products in literature Literature and society--history England, social life and customs Ethics, modern, 18th century Fashion History Modern Ethics

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