Been thinking about how colonialism isn’t just about political and economic domination; it’s subtly woven into the fabric of our culture, including something as seemingly trivial as men’s fashion. consider the widespread adoption of the suit. While its origins are European, its global spread coincided directly with colonial expansion. It became a symbol of power,authority,and “civilization,” often imposed on colonized populations,displacing conventional garments and signaling a shift in cultural identity,whether voluntary or forced.
It’s captivating to consider the impact not just on the colonized, but also the colonizers. Certain fabrics and styles, like the safari suit or even just the use of breathable cotton in European garments, were directly influenced by the climate and materials encountered in colonized territories. This two-way exchange, though heavily skewed in power dynamics, shaped what we consider “classic” or “standard” men’s clothing today. Has anyone else noticed examples of colonial influence that are perhaps less obvious in the present day? Are we even aware of all the ways global interaction and power imbalance shaped our closets?