Feathers & Fashion: I'd be interested in knowing more about the use of feathers in fashion across cultures and time

[ingrid pruss]

I have noticed that throughout literature and art as well as popular culture, women have been associated with birds in many ways. No one ever tells a guy he eats like a bird!  Even in recent ads for Campari, for example, there is a fairy-like female coming out of an unlocked gilded cage. Similarly, in fashion and theater, particularly in the Follies, women have been known to wear excessive amounts of feathers, whether it be in boas, ostrich-plumed hats, etc.  I was wondering about any thematic and gendered meanings you might find important about the use and association of feathers with women, in particular.

 

( I know men have used feathers too but not to the extent to which they have been used in female fashion)

[Melissa L]

oh my GOD! How could any of us forgotten that one?!

[Anne Gaspers]

There is also great article in the April issue of the Américas magazine: "In Bolivia and Panama, governments are helping to keep nature and culture in balance by raising awareness about the use of wild bird feathers and other such items in costumes for traditional carnavals." You can usually find a copy at the public library, but it's really worth the subscription...and it comes in Spanish too!

[Ryan Goble]

Nice add on there Anne!

[Ryan Goble]

Oh, and this just came up on my iTunes - duhh, another twist on that theme, eh?

[ingrid pruss]

Thanks. There's a lot of material. Now I have to think about the reason for the gender reversal in its association with women (the male bird's beauty associated with the objectification of women and the dolling up of women). I guess that's the work that my imagination will be working on. It will be fun! Thank you, Ryan, and thank you everyone who participated in the conversation!!!! I can't wait to participate in yours, and I'm already thinking of starting another. Yikes!

[Ryan Goble]

Don't do it too soon, our brains might explode ! I think the reasons are something you can have students explore and hypothesize about, right? You can just scaffold all this material - mash it up and ask students to come up with their theories on these cultural events and meanings. Obviously, it is a great excuse to explore perception and interpretation, supporting claims with evidence etc. etc. - you don't have to make a statement with students when it might be more fun to "present data" and ask a ? (if you're looking to use this in a class).

RRG:)

[Jacqueline Green]

I'm not sure where you can take this idea, but perhaps there may be a connection to color. What color (s )do females find most appealing? Is this the same for birds and other animals? Also, I think some people may see birds/feathers as delicate and soft and this is the ideal image of females from some male's perspective. Maybe there is a stereotypical, or feminist view here. Hmmmm. Good Luck..

[ingrid pruss]

I am not sure I understand what you mean regarding color; I'd like you to write more about that so I can understand what you mean, but I think you're on to something regarding softness and the way men associate delicate and soft things with women; it is rather sexist since there definitely is a social bias against muscular or hard women in this culture, even today. Thank you for this Jackie. The color concept is difficult for me to comprehend since the male birds are the colorful ones,but I'd love for you to elucidate what you mean.