Week 2

Clothing, social empathy and the power of stepping into someone else’s shoes

Christian Funk

In this reading, Michael Hurt guides us into through the lens of social empathy. Why do we step into another’s shoes? Hurt points out there are many reasons behind this idea of social empathy through dress. The act of mirroring is one in which we see, want to become, and then replicate ourselves. Hurt uses the example of copying movements in dance and things we see in movies. We view these awesome displays and want to become it, want to be great just as we have seen. Transitioning this into fashion and dress; through fashion gaze, we see this beautiful piece such as the ao dai or the hanbok. The wearer makes the piece look magnificent and beautiful. Just as they are beautiful in the garment, we too would like to be beautiful. We as players in the social world want a taste of that glory –there is something to be had.

Along with this, we also dress mirror out of explicit respect. This can be seen in the political world. It is seen as very respectful for world leaders when meeting together that the visitor often dresses to replicate the host country’s national dress. This sign of respect is an effort to bridge the gap between the two sides and to create an image of unity and harmony. It is interesting to see that fashion-dress is so heavily involved in political relations.

Hurt also talks about the feeling closeness with someone we may revere. This is a respect we have for someone whom we look up to, or even idolize such as a king, leader, or a celebrity. From the past to even now we see this. Museums are filled with memorabilia of famous people from the modern world as well as museums that hold ancient artifacts from world leaders of the past. This can also be seen today through pro-athletes. Athletes auction and even freely give away their signed shoes all the time to eager fans. Why is this? This is the same feeling, that same feeling of closeness to an idolized figure that draws people to this. The physical presence of that idolized figure is almost nearly weaved into the fabrics of the garment, or so we think so in our heads.