Ridiculous History History's Most Ridiculous Clothing, with AJ Jacobs: Part Two
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May 1, 2025 AJ Jacobs, creator of "The Puzzler" and master of immersive journalism, returns to share hilarious insights into the world of absurd historical clothing. He discusses towering wigs, restrictive corsets, and their cultural implications leading up to the French Revolution. The conversation takes a whimsical turn with the connection between the ruff bird and fashion, alongside critiques of extravagant styles from King Louis XIV. Jacobs humorously explores nudism, societal clothing norms, and the delightful absurdity woven throughout fashion history.
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Marie Antoinette's Extravagant Wigs
- Marie Antoinette's wig controversies illustrate extravagance at the French court.
- The wigs contained wire, hair, food products, and even insects, sparking public outrage.
Corsets: Painful Fashion Trend
- Corsets squeezed waists to dangerously small sizes, causing health problems.
- Backlash arose from feminists and doctors warning against their harmful effects.
Elizabethan Ruffs as Status Symbols
- Elizabethan ruffs used vast lengths of fabric shaped with many pleats.
- They served as status symbols and were condemned as "tools of Satan" by preachers.