Book description
A "sharp and entertaining" (The Wall Street Journal) exploration of fashion through the ages that asks what our clothing reveals about ourselves and our society. Dress codes are as old as clothing itself. For centuries, clothing has been a wearable status symbol; fashion, a weapon in struggles for social change; and dress codes, a way to maintain political control. Merchants dressing like princes and butchers' wives wearing gem-encrusted crowns were public enemies in medieval societies structured by social hierarchy and defined by spectacle. In Tudor England, silk, velvet, and fur were reserved for the nobility, and ballooning pants called "trunk hose" could be considered a menace to good order. The Renaissance-era Florentine patriarch Cosimo de Medici captured the power of fashion and dress codes when he remarked, "One can make a gentleman from two yards of red cloth." Dress codes evolved along with the social and political ideals of the day, but they always reflected struggles for power and status. In the 1700s, South Carolina's "Negro Act" made it illegal for Black people to dress "above their condition." In the 1920s, the bobbed hair and form-fitting dresses worn by free-spirited flappers were banned in workplaces throughout the United States, and in the 1940s, the baggy zoot suits favored by Black and Latino men caused riots in cities from coast to coast. Even in today's more informal world, dress codes still determine what we wear, when we wear it--and what our clothing means. People lose their jobs for wearing braided hair, long fingernails, large earrings, beards, and tattoos or refusing to wear a suit and tie or make-up and high heels. In some cities, wearing sagging pants is a crime. And even when there are no written rules, implicit dress codes still influence opportunities and social mobility. Silicon Valley CEOs wear t-shirts and flip-flops, setting the tone for an entire industry: women wearing fashionable dresses or high heels face ridicule in the tech world, and some venture capitalists refuse to invest in any company run by someone wearing a suit. In Dress Codes, law professor and cultural critic Richard Thompson Ford presents a "deeply informative and entertaining" (The New York Times Book Review) history of the laws of fashion from the middle ages to the present day, a walk down history's red carpet to uncover and examine the canons, mores, and customs of clothing--rules that we often take for granted. After reading Dress Codes, you'll never think of fashion as superficial again--and getting dressed will never be the same.
Blinker
I love how ListenBook caters to various formats, making it versatile and accommodating for all my audiobooks. Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature! ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Cool Law Topping
I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Golden Cougar
Audiobook immersion simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch.
Disco Thunder
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant – it's that good! Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in!
Troubadour
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences – a thoughtful feature. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. I'm grateful for this app – it's made reading a part of my everyday life. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
Pinball Wizard
The range of self-help and personal development audiobooks is truly enriching. ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available.
Ex0tic
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FRMhndshk
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. Effortlessly exploring audiobook worlds – this app's functionality is genius.
Sexual Chocolate
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source.
CuriousCrafter
Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it! Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
LoreLoomer
Audiobooks on this app have transformed my daily routines into engaging experiences. Audiobooks made easy – this app's functionality is truly a gift. No need to convert files anymore – ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me! From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. 📱🔊 ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use.
CuriousCoder
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. Audiobook excellence made simple – this app's functionality is a true asset. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day.
Fuzzy Claws
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. 🏝️ Basking in the sun with an audiobook – relaxation meets storytelling paradise! ☀️📖 Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. 📚👌 Book groups feature keeps series and related titles together. Neat and tidy!
Insane SweepKick
This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚
Mosquit-No
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Spoiler Betty
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. Audiobooks anytime, anywhere – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's design is user-centric. Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Video Game Heroine
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. 🏃♂️📚 Combining fitness and fiction – this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! 🏃♂️📖 The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are excellent additions.
Delicious Wing
My long walks have turned into exciting adventures with this app. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate customized listening sessions, whether for study, relaxation, or entertainment. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Fiend Oblivion
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible.
Gold Dahlia
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. 🌟 Adding excitement to each day – this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. 📚🚀
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience