Fashion may seem to be concerned entirely with pop culture, but the way people choose to dress can make a statement about their politics, and feminists over the 20th century have made ample use of this fact.

You’d think it should be obvious, with how “the personal is political,” but it was definitely eye-opening to see how deeply fashion and feminism have been entwined, used by both those for and against it to make their point.

Despite the cliches about the ‘ugly, man-hating feminist,’ many feminists were aware of how they were perceived and made use of fashion to gain respectability and popularity for their ideas. Equally interesting to me was how fashion trends that started with feminists were often co-opted by mainstream society, even if the ideas that accompanied them had more limited reach. I also appreciated the plentiful photographs to show us exactly what the author’s talking about – when it comes to clothing, a picture is really worth a thousand words.

I did think the writing was a bit dry though, even for an academic text. I would have also appreciated if the author cast her net a bit wider with the demographics covered – I appreciated that she gave plenty of weight to both how Black and white feminists used fashion to push their cause, but especially with sheer number of immigrants pouring into the country during this time I would have liked to see more about how women of different ethnicities who were involved in the movement used fashion too.

Also, the cover led me to believe there would be a section about swimsuits, but alas, this was not the case.

This was a surprising reading choice for me given I am not too interested in fashion, but the historical aspect of fashion as a political statement was enough to make me want to give it a try. While this book was a bit more academic than I generally prefer, I did find it interesting--reading about the history of fashion from the 1890's through the 1970's and the way women have used fashion to make statements in regards to their bodies, femininity and social roles, including how it spilled over into feminist activism. It is well researched and documented. It took me awhile to read this one, but I did find it a worthwhile read.

Scholars of 20th century feminism, family, fashion, and culture will likely find this text interesting, if not exactly novel to the overall discipline. A well-researched and well-written account of its subject matter that would be interesting for new scholars to the subject, but still an enjoyable read for more seasoned scholars. Text is more intersectional than similar texts before it, so that's a benefit.

This is a fascinating look at the relationship between fashion and women’s self-expression. It’s a well-researched and interesting take on modern women and the meaning of our garb.

A very fun read about fashion and how it has been used by women to rebel. It also covered a lot of fashion trends I had no idea about. It was informative and fun to read. I do wish there could be a men's version!

Dressed for Freedom looks at how changing fashions for women’s clothing allowed them not only greater freedom of movement, but also greater independence. The book included how these fashion changes affected women of color and immigrants which made it quite well-rounded. The main problem I had with this book was that it was just so dry and the chapters were so very long that it was difficult to spend much time reading it. I could only focus for a few pages at a time before my mind started wandering and I had to put it down. I also never felt any desire to pick it back up. This has a much more academic tone than I was expecting and while I can’t say that I enjoyed it, it did contain some interesting information.

Women’s fashion from 1890-1980 and how it is reflected in the growth of the women’s movement is explored in this wide-ranging and comprehensive exploration of the subject. As women became more emancipated, the way they expressed themselves through what they wore became ever more significant, regardless of race, colour or class. The approach is perhaps a little dry and academic at times but always thought-provoking and thoughtful, an intelligent analysis of fashion and fashion designers, and a timely reminder that what women are sometimes forced to wear or what they choose to wear is as relevant as ever.

I loved reading this book! It definitely has it's niche but I think many will enjoy reading this. I took a fashion history course in college and I wish it would have dived deeper into the symbolism and politics that some fashion trends had. Women speak a lot from their clothing and this book explains what they are trying to say.

I got this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A thoroughly researched book regarding women’s fashion from between 1851 (the Bloomer costume) and 1980 with regards to women’s fight for freedom and equality. Well written and not only enjoyable to read but also quite insightful.

Thank you to Net Galley for the digital copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

Ms Fox goes in depth to provide the reader with not only historical background but well researched parallels to the influence of ad campaigns and media to influence fashion trends. Once Wall Street began to weigh in on the trends and styles that were confining by design. The rejection of fashions that no longer spoke to the needs of women. The forms of rebellion were played out on the public stage. It’s amazing that clothing would hold such a lock on women over the decades. It evolution straddles the Womens movement on many levels. The rejection of convention began in earnest with the shot hemline of the 20’s flapper. It ebbed and flowed in concert with the economy. A great historical resource.

I found this book about fashion and it’s place in history fascinating.I enjoyed reading about the rise of feminism connected to womens rights and freedom to choose many things even and importantly our style of dress..A wonderful entertaining read I will be recommending.#netgalley #uofillinois.

This was really good.
I know that fashion reflects the culture of the time, especially concerning social standing, but this book brought this concept to the next level.
The author analyses all aspects of the evolution of women's fashion in the last century, connecting it to the historical event and social situation at every step. I enjoyed that she produced many obscure events, like the creation of the Rainy Day Club in 1890s New York, something that is difficult to find information on even with a lengthy google search.

She dedicates half of the book to the early 20th century (and the 1890s), understandably so, since huge changes happened in those decades. And honestly, I enjoyed that part a lot. It helped put everything else in perspective.

A great read.

Thank you NetGalley and the University of Illinois Press for the advanced digital reading copy.

This is a scholarly tome about the history of feminism and how it is connected to fashion..

Highly recommended for scholars interested in fashion and feminism.

4 fashion forward stars

“Feminism has a long and complicated relationship with fashion.” From bloomers to mini-skirts, Dressed for Freedom takes a scholarly look at women’s fashions. I could easily see the book in a college level women’s history class. Language, word usage and long sentences are probably too sophisticated for the casual reader to enjoy, unless they are really into fashion and women’s history.

I particularly enjoyed the discussion of fashions in the early 20th century. I learned many new tidbits: As dresses narrowed and the number of undergarments decreased in the 1910s, suffrage parades became a more feasible (and tolerable) experience. During WWII regulations introduced by the War Production Board restricted the used of fabrics, thus impacting fashions. I especially loved the drawings and the photos of women’s attire.

I appreciate that Rabinovitch-Fox included black activists who are too often overlooked in fashion and history books. Dressed for Freedom would appeal to more readers if the pictures increased significantly and the verbiage decreased significantly. The last quarter of the book cites detailed references. An index (citing over 20 pages on hemlines ;-) and bibliography would aid those doing further research.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've always been interested in fashion and history, so this book immediately caught my attention. It's well-researched and engaging and I came away from it wanting to learn more!

A fascinating account of women's clothing as an everyday feminist practice, Dressed for Freedom brings fashion into discussions of American feminism during the long twentieth century. Eye opening to how far we've come

Highlighting the use of fashion as a communication tool in bringing feminism into mainstream American society, Dressed for Freedom is thoroughly researched and a highly engaging book; particularly for those interested in the history of American women’s fashion and/or feminism.

In Dressed for Freedom, the author seeks to dispel a few common myths – primarily the myth of the stereotypically unfashionable feminist, and fashion being something frivolous and played no role in feminism. Tracing the history of American women’s fashion chronologically from the late 19th century to the present, the author discusses how feminists of each era (not just white feminists) harnessed mainstream fashion to promote feminist views and expand the movement to a wider audience. She also noted how fashion in itself was imbued with meaning and societal mores, and thus should not be seen as separate from feminist politics.

As an academic work (borne out of the author’s doctoral work), this book is full of in-depth analysis of the questions raised and includes sources that makes one want to find out more about either the feminists she centred in this book or this topic in general. Even though this is an academic book, it did not read as heavily scholastic and was an immense pleasure to read; and adds a unique perspective to feminist studies. I’d highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in politics, feminism and/or fashion.

Overall rating: 4.7/5

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an e-copy.

If you've ever wondered why women's clothing doesn't always seem to have pockets, or why women are sometimes pressured to wear restrictive clothes such as pencil skirts, you might relate to the women depicted in this book.
We learn about women challenging restrictive clothing from the 1890s to the 1970s, with the epilogue bringing us more or less into the present.
It's interesting to think about the ways that feminist activists have promoted feminist ideas through their clothing choices over time.
It's also fascinating to think about how those struggles overlapped with the onset of the modern age, and the changing ways women were perceived within mainstream society.
It is possible to use the book when adopting an intersectional approach, as ethnicity is considered, as is social class.
The author's own knowledge of intersectional feminist history and analysis shines through. For example, when reading about White feminists adopting Japanese dress, an Orientalist lens is evoked alongside an explanation of why these women might have chosen to do so at the time.
I was glad to see lesbian feminist clothing choices explored within the text, as they can often be forgotten.

Definitely a book to consider if you have an interest in the history of feminist activism, or the politics of fashion.

It was my pleasure to feature this title in my annual personal favourite Books of 2021 round-up. I'll also be quoting from this informative and well-researched book (with attribution) in future features and columns.

I really enjoyed this book on the history of fashion as a bellwether for feminist movements and progress. Rabinovitch-Fox has found some truly unique and interesting sources, and sews together the various forms and designs of women's wear and activities. Chronologically arranged, the book begins in the 1890s, detailing how the media played a role in driving fashion; how, as women opened up new opportunities for themselves, fashion adapted and how designers even offered commentary on such opportunities; and how women used fashion for political purposes. From Gibson girls to Gloria Steinem, this book is both an entertaining read and a deftly constructed and thoroughly researched work of scholarship.