No class next week to allow for student travel during Thanksgiving.
Students are encouraged to travel home as some are from far away.
The instructor wishes the sports team success over the weekend against Stanford, noting plans to watch from home with popcorn.
Availability During Break
Instructor available for questions regarding papers, but ideally not on Thanksgiving Day.
Students are reminded of the need for diverse sources beyond assigned readings.
Sources should not include low-quality resources like personal blogs or Wikipedia.
Recommended sources:
Women's Sports Foundation: A comprehensive resource for materials on women's sports.
National Women's Law Center: Another valuable resource for research.
Other recommended sources include critiques and expert analyses of Title IX legislation.
Regular office hours will resume the week after Thanksgiving, including morning hours at Café Strada and afternoon hours in the instructor's office.
Upcoming Class Topics
Post-Thanksgiving discussions will focus on the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports.
A special guest appearance by the instructor's mother in the week following Thanksgiving, discussing 1950s Los Angeles history and her experiences with prominent figures like George Takei.
Class Atmosphere and Activities
The instructor expresses enthusiasm for the class, noting strong interest in topics like sports clothing and sports marketing.
Plans for a fun and engaging lecture that includes "show and tell" items.
History of Sports Clothing
Evolution of Athletic Style
Early Perceptions: Athletes, especially women, historically viewed as unrefined and unfashionable; limited styling options.
Women's Clothing Restrictions: Women faced societal limitations that dictated modesty in sports attire, resulting in cumbersome barriers to athletic performance.
Example: Women often had to wear multiple layers, such as petticoats, which affected performance.
Historical Outfits: Elaboration on traditional costumes like riding habits, gym suits, and bathing costumes that were more about appearance than functionality.
Dress Reform Impact
Amelia Bloomer: Introduced split pants (bloomers) amidst criticism, aligning with women’s rights movements.
Historical context: Bloomers were scorned for challenging modesty norms based on scripture; women forbidden from wearing pants until WWII.
Historical societal context highlights race relations, particularly the less stringent clothing restrictions faced by black women in athletics.
Sports Clothing Marketing
Transition into the 20th Century
Limited sports clothing items for women prior to the 20th century; gym suits were standard in female education settings, often unattractive and constrictive.
World War I impact: Women’s war efforts led to liberation from corsets and initiated practical clothing trends.
Post-WWI saw increased participation in physical education, leading to early gym class attire and evolving dress codes in schools.
Changes through the Decades
1920s and 1930s
1920s generated new sportswear paradigms with shorter skirts and more relaxed dress codes, marking a cultural shift towards youthfulness and fitness.
Swimwear style evolved with famous events like Gertrude Ederle crossing the English Channel.
Despite a growing athletic culture, the disparity in marketing and endorsement for male athletes overshadowed women’s advancements in sports.
Films and advertising began to highlight a more athletic body type, linking success to appearance.
WWII Influence
During WWII, women adopted practical clothing styles for work in factories and military service.
Post-war era saw a backlash with hyperfeminine and hypermasculine styles dominating the market.
Introduction of items like the bikini showcased societal shifts and appropriations from other cultures (i.e., Polynesian culture).
1950s and 1960s
Post-war affluence brought about a boom in consumer culture, leading to an uptick in luxurious sportswear and the symbolic connection between prestige and sports gear.
Commercialization of sports continued to expand with toys and branded goods becoming status symbols.
1970s to Present
Rise of high-end sneakers linked to celebrity endorsements created an elitist perception surrounding sports attire.
The shift to offshore manufacturing for sportswear raised ethical concerns regarding labor practices, particularly regarding young women workers in Asia.
Contemporary Discussions in Sportswear
Discussion around the expectations and representation of female athletes, with a focus on modesty in uniforms and branding practices.
The challenges faced by athletes from various backgrounds regarding the appropriateness of their uniforms.
Importance of aesthetics in visual representation in the context of competitive sports and marketing.
Conclusion
Engagement with students in discussions around their desires for sports-related items showcases shifting cultural perceptions and the consumerism aspect of sports.