Representations of clothing are frequent in the art and literature of 1300 – 1600, but contemporary experiences of clothing are little investigated. This interdisciplinary conference aims to explore ways of reconstructing the social practices of the past through investigations of the cultural significance of clothing.

Papers are invited from a broad range of theoretical perspectives which relate to the traditional disciplines of art history, textile and costume history, cultural history (social/political/economic), anthropology and literary studies. Synopses of c. 500 words are requested by the end of September 2001. Proposals and other offers of participation will be welcome from scholars at all stages of research. It is intended that this conference will generate a publishable volume.

Areas of investigation into process, experience and representation might include:

• power and social status
• order and social mobility
• ethnicity
• emotion
• disguise
• gender
• social and economic relations of production and consumption
• buying and selling fabric and clothing stuff (shops)
• colour
• fabric
• stitching
• decoration
• fashion
• ritual and ceremony
• garments (under and over, old and new, best and worst)
• symbolism and the representation of the body
• display and concealment
• physical mobility
• undress
• proper and improper wearing
• age and clothing
• gesture
• life-cycle (death, marriage)
• pride
• dowry
• gift
• self and person
• moral clothing
• clothing furniture
• seduction

Methods of analysis might include:

• reading the tactile
• reading the spatial implications
• reconstructing the symbolic language
• from text to textile
• art and the visual language of clothing (folds, pleats, stitching, wear, material, colour etc.)