The cover image for the book Dress Codes: How the Laws of Fashion Made History is a portrait of Louis XIV that’s been cropped to only include his lower half — shapely legs in white stockings, red high heels turned out just so, and a lush ermine cloak slit open to expose the garters on both legs. It’s a great example of how fascinating history can be when it’s viewed through the lens of fashion. The book’s author, Richard Thompson Ford, is a professor at Stanford Law School who specializes in the law and cultural issues. With Dress Codes, he examines the history of dressing — from the Middle Ages through today — and how our dress codes evolved along with our social and political ideals, reflecting struggles for power and status. “Even in today’s more informal world,” he argues, “dress codes still determine what we wear, when we wear it — and what our clothing means.” Hear him speak about the book with Vanderbilt University professor Dan Sharfstein in Tuesday evening’s Zoom book event. Register for free at parnassusbooks.net.6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, via Parnassus Books LAURA HUTSON HUNTER
Stream a Book Event With Richard Thompson Ford
