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Abstract

During the latter part of the 18th century in Scotland, especially in rural areas, there was a dramatic shift from relatively stable and unchanging dress forms to fashion in dress, the ongoing substitution of existing forms with new ones. From an analysis of primary sources it is clear that these changes were often perceived as threatening. This paper addresses the conceptual relevance offashion as threat, it explores fashion as an ideal symbolic medium for venting perceptions of threat posed by other domains in the social/cultural system, and it addresses the symbolic power of dress and fashion in conserving the perception of social order and stability at the same time that it facilitates cultural change.

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Mass Fashion as Threat in Context and Concept

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