This reading basically just talked about the semiotics with clothing and the different dichotomies and relationships between the social cultures and the power that clothing holds (or lack thereof). This article also examines people and their motives for wearing certain clothing and the context around what they wear.
“By the second criterion, the amount of clothing and the sophistication of the jewelery worn by Menna and his wife also mark them as beign the more powerful in the family. On Menna’s face collar and wrists, for example, are intricate jewelry pieces that accentuate the luxurious robe he is wearing. The light color of his robe, which covers most of his dark body seems to enlarge his size and create an impression of power and stature. Compositionally, the neck ornament that Menna wears also serves to underscore Menna’s power by broadening his shoulders to augment the impression of size, strength and power. By contrast, Menna’s children are clothed more simply.” (199)
I chose this quote because it reminded me about the ideas of rappers in modern day culture. Bling is not necessarily for accessories purposes but is used as a power marker. There is nothing functional about a $100,000 watch except to show that you can afford it and that you are more powerful than a person who wouldn’t have a $100,000 watch. In a book I read that was called A Sum of Small Things: Theories of the Aspirational Class it talked about the idea of wearing clothes not for function but to show the difference in power structures in a subtle way; you’ll only understand it if you are part of the culture.
“The term “power suit” was coined in the early 1990s as a term of reference for the ubiquitous dark-colored matching jacket and pants ensemble that business executives, who were typically male, wore to proffer an image of power.” (203)
I chose this quote in direct relation to one of the questions I’m going to submit and the ideas of what constitutes a power play. For men, a business suit in a certain style signifies a certain class structure inside of an organization while the suit in a different way would signify another position. With the emergence of men and women into the workforce, many women are beginning to wear more suits that are less “business casual” and more “business powerful”.
Question 1) Now that you can get any pieces of clothing because of mass production for a cheap price, how do cultures today differentiate themselves amongst each other. Brand?
Question 2) In regards to the second quote, how does the “same suit” differ in regards to gender. Would a corporate CEO who wears a power suite be the same as a power suit for a female corporate CEO and would they convey the same message?
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