{"product_id":"suitable-chloe-chapin-9780197842485","title":"Suitable: The Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eThe surprising story of how the plain black suit became a symbol of masculinity, democracy, and modernity.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHow did black suits become so ubiquitous? Why has men's business clothing been so plain for the last 250 years? How did a style adopted by the Founding Fathers to differentiate themselves from European contemporaries become the dominant style for men around the globe? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cem\u003eSuitable\u003c\/em\u003e traces the shift from the colorful, flamboyant attire of the eighteenth century to the plain dark suit of the nineteenth century, characterizing this style evolution as a \"Sartorial Revolution.\" In this book, American historian and costume designer Chloe Chapin traces the evolution of masculine style from the American Revolution through the Civil War and shows how men's suits shaped relationships of gender and power. Drawing on a wealth of visual and written sources, she shows how the plainness of suits symbolized new ideals of rationality and democracy and played a crucial role in framing the lasting identity and authority of American men. This richly illustrated book analyzes fashion history's impact on gender dynamics and emphasizes the dynamic relationships between bodies, clothing, and personal identity. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cem\u003eSuitable\u003c\/em\u003e demonstrates the significance of fashion beyond mere appearance, illustrating the key role modern men's suits have played in shaping the modern world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Chloe Chapin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0197842488\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780197842485\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Oxford University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 352\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.53lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.57h x 6.48w x 1.08d","brand":"Chloe Chapin","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":48437521875199,"sku":"9780197842485","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_dda160cb-7a06-4976-8c3a-bda709602ca1.jpg?v=1777162386","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/suitable-chloe-chapin-9780197842485","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}