Charting the Casual Revolution in Apparel
Back in 2005, members of Northwestern University women’s lacrosse team wore flip-flops (albeit fancy rhinestone-bedecked ones) to meet the president for a White House ceremony honoring their NCAA championship. The resulting “flip-flop flap,” as many dubbed it, ruled the news for several days – with the nation debating whether it was a breach of etiquette or just a signal of changing generational tastes.
Fast forward to 2017: Two teens were barred from boarding a United Airlines flight because they were wearing leggings, which went against the airline’s dress code for travelers using an employee pass. The decision set off a firestorm on social media with many decrying what they saw as, at best, an out-of-touch company policy and, at worst, policing of women’s clothing choices.
Then came the pandemic, with its suspension of...
