Over the years the bra has been stereotyped as an object of seduction, glamour, and even oppression. In "Uplift: A History of the Bra in America" Jane Farrell-Beck and Colleen Gau use this item of clothing to gauge the social history of women and to understand the business history of fashion. Viewing fashion as a means to entertainment, self-creation, and everyday art, the authors illuminate the effect the brassiere has had on women's lives--their style, health, and economic opportunity.Rich in examples from advertising, movies, and other areas of popular culture, "Uplift" moves beyond featherbones and fiberfill to provide a sense of the dynamic relationship of the bra to wider issues in society.

The 20th century was a fast-paced race into modernization but how did it affect what we wear? From revolutionary politics to the new machine age, from war and depression to growth and prosperity, 20th Century Dress in the United States details how fashion goes hand-in-hand with history. The authors examine American dress from 1898 to 2004 and find innovation at every turn. Diversity and complexity are key: far from the fashion stereotypes embodied by popular ideas of "the twenties" or "the sixties" periods noted for their youthful upheaval and influence we see how every era has its conformists and rebels, from the Arrow Collar Man and the Gibson Girl to flappers, bell-bottom-clad hippies, and Jackie Kennedy. Each chapter explores the social, cultural, economic, artistic, and technological themes that shape fashion in both festive and everyday clothing. Changes in retailing and manufacturing are also examined, from the sweatshops of yesterday to the Internet shopping of today. Whether h