Members of the Men’s Dress Reform Party in London, 1929.
In the early twentieth-century the Men's Dress Reform Group (MDRG), was historically known to take on the perceived physical and social constraints of men's clothing. In fact, they were instigated as a subsidiary of the New Health Society in central London. This group/party was founded by radiologist Alfred Jordan in in 1929 but disbanded in 1940.
The party was created with the "intention of furthering human race through men's dress and correcting its various physical and social constraints" (Vestoj Editors, n.d), they did this by addressing the issue of health concerns of highly tailored and un-washable men's dress, as well as outlining aesthetic reform, attempting to further the beauty of men.
It was proposed that the MDRP silhouette's was outlined to be looser, comfortable, and encouraged garments to be in brighter colours, as well as personally expressive; which would supposedly make men more aesthetically pleasing and attractive to their female counterparts.
Findings:
- The MDRP advocated for fine materials and craftsmanship - aiming to be less structured and lighter in their garments. However, this would of required the skills of a dressmakers as much as a tailor. This was a challenge to the ancient hierarchy of labour within the clothing trades
- The MDRP wanted less structured and restricted clothing - instead wanted lighter, and brighter clothing. However, from what I have read it defeats the fact that tailoring techniques cannot really be utilised, as they intend to work with lightweight materials e.g silk - Instead it's more convenient for a dressmaker to do this.
- They thought jackets were mostly unnecessary, ugly, and excessively padded - a "attractive" substitute to this was a knitted jumper. - It was highly prioritised that trousers were abolished. Instead shorts, or breeches was a better option as an alternative.
- Men were increasingly enjoying the pleasers of modernity and consumerism through the medium of fashion.
- The concerns of having a washable garment, so there was an advocation for unlined coats
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