Jo B. Paoletti's journey through the history of children's clothing began when she posed the question, "When did we start dressing girls in pink and boys in blue?" To uncover the answer, she looks at advertising, catalogs, dolls, baby books, mommy blogs and discussion forums, and other popular media to examine the surprising shifts in attitudes toward color as a mark of gender in American children's clothing. She chronicles the decline of the white dress for both boys and girls, the introduction of rompers in the early 20th century, the gendering of pink and blue, the resurgence of unisex fashions, and the origins of today's highly gender-specific baby and toddler clothing.

Unraveling the complicated tale of children's fashion

About the Author

Jo B. Paoletti is Associate Professor of American Studies at the University of Maryland.

Reviews

This is a fascinating piece of American social history, perhaps raising more questions than it answers. It is of potential interest to students and professionals in fields ranging from child development to gender studies to fashion to marketing, as well as to new and prospective parents.

* Library Journal *

Ms. Paoletti has managed to cram a wealth of information in a relatively fluid narrative that scholars will undoubtedly quote and casual readers will enjoy as an engrossing cultural history of parenthood, as well as childhood.

* Worn Through *

Pink and Blue is meticulously researched, with references to paper dolls, old retail catalogs and the arcane field of material culture studies. Her findings are fascinating.

* PopMatters *

A terrific new book...if you're getting flack from someone for dressing your boy in pink or your girl in blue...hit them with a copy of Paoletti's book. When they come to, maybe they'll read it and leave you alone.

* CafeMom *

In Pink and Blue, Paoletti presents an interesting portrayal of an important gendered system-a historical perspective that psychologists might otherwise underestimate and undervalue.

* PsycCritiques *

The author is skilled in writing to a wide audience.

* Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences *

Recommended for: Those interested in the history of fashion, gender studies, and gender politics.

* forbookssake.net *



Book Information
ISBN 9780253009852
Author Jo B. Paoletti
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Indiana University Press
Publisher Indiana University Press
Weight(grams) 295g