An Object Made by Man
For the cultural artifact we had to create a webpage that presented your analysis of a cultural artifact. The purpose of this assignment was to show how your chosen artifact was significant in American culture during your year and why. You were required to state when and where or who created it. Your goals were to show what your artifact meant and what does it signify. After researching your artifact, you wanted your audience to know what you learned from it. As my cultural artifact I chose to research leggings. Leggings were created in 1980 and took over fashion. They allowed much of American culture to express themselves through fashion. People were now able to design their outfits with a new aspect.
What are Leggings?
In 1980 Leggings were classified as nylon – lycra bottoms in the form of skin tight trousers that ended at mid-calve. The tighter version of capris gave American Culture a unique way of fashion. The new style hit like wild flowers. Leggings offered flexibility and versatility. Leggings showed sense of style and a new way to be different. Whenever you try something original you’re breaking out of your shell, your comfort zone. That’s exactly what people did. They went out and brought something new and unusual, they purchased leggings. Leggings were intended for exercise and leg warmers use in 1980, but later became a popular, stylish fashion. Madonna first emerged on the dance music scene with her “street urchin” look with short skirts over leggings.
(Complements to http://www.detnews.com/includes/index/themes/Ent-Madonna/images/1985cobo.jpg for the picture.)
What does it Signify?
People enjoyed leggings so much because the fashion allowed the culture to wear them with almost anything. Anything looked nice with leggings. Plain bottoms allowed the culture to mix and match their own style together. Express means to show, manifeast or reveal. The relationship between leggings and the culture was expression. This fashion trend gave people the opportunity to express themselves freely. Leggings signified uniqueness. This unique style gave people the opportunity to show their own personal style. Although many wore the same article of clothing, most wore them differently.
New Fashion Trend
In 1980 leggings were only a few dollars depending on the style you brought. Plain, basic leggings were obviously cheaper than leggings with designs on it. They were worn under short skirts or with long tops or sweater and excess jewerlry. Leggings showed a visible panty line, so longer tops were preferred. Yet some artist wore them with shorter tops or body suits. Leggings were a fairly new style in 1980, which were only available in the basic colors of black, navy and gray. A few had designs and prints and some were even cut with holes in them, similar to the style that Madonna’s wearing in the picture.
(Complements to http://media.225batonrouge.com/img/photos/2006/03/30/PatBenatar.jpg for the picture.)
Suggestions on Learning More
These are a list of books that are available at Barnes and Noble bookstore. If you’re intrested in learning more abput the fashion during 1980. Each book will provide pictures and information about how and where fashion trends originated during 1980. These books will also provide formal styles, evening, sports and leisure wear. You could learn more about fashion and how significant it was during 1980.
-Fashion of the Decade: The 1980’s By: Vicky Carnegy
-The 1980’s By: John Peacock
-Elle Style: 1980 By: Elle Magazine, Francois Baudot and Jean Demachy
-Fashion Spreads: World Image in Photography Since 1980 By: Paul Jobling
(Complements to http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Fashions-of-a-Decade/Vicky-Carnegy/e/9780816067244/?itm=2 for the picture.)
Bibliography
Baskerville, Rhonda. Personal Interview on 02/19/09
http://www.articlesbase.com/cosmetics-articles/leggings-612415.html Articlebase Posted: October 22, 2008
Hanchett-Webber, Tiffany. Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion (Madonna) Ed. Valerie Steele Vol. 2 Copyright:2005
Loschek, Ingrid. Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion. Twentieth-Century Fashion. Ed. Valerie Steele Vol. 3 Copyright:2005
