Fashion's Secret History: War, Pockets, and Zippers

Radio producer Avery Trufelman's podcast, Articles of Interest, unearths surprising historical facts about fashion. Did you know the zipper's invention spanned a longer period than the Wright brothers' airplane development? Or that 18th-century women's pockets were capacious enough for writing tools and snacks? Trufelman also reveals that the concept of layering, integral to brands like Uniqlo, originated in the 1940s with Georges Doriot.

The podcast's latest season, 'Gear,' investigates the intricate relationship between American military apparel and contemporary outdoor fashion. Trufelman highlights that nearly every garment explored has a wartime connection, underscoring the profound and often uncomfortable links between civilian clothing and military history in the United States. This exploration challenges the perception of fashion as a shallow pursuit.

Articles of Interest has achieved over 10 million downloads, earning accolades from Time and The New Yorker. Trufelman's work positions fashion not merely as aesthetics but as a reflection of culture, history, and power. Her engaging style transforms a topic often deemed elitist or trivial into a compelling historical narrative.