Ridiculous History: Episode Summary
Episode: History's Most Ridiculous Clothing, with AJ Jacobs: Part Two
Release Date: May 1, 2025
Host: Ben Bolan & Noel Brown
Guest: AJ Jacobs
Introduction and Overview
In the second installment of "History's Most Ridiculous Clothing," hosts Ben Bolan and Noel Brown continue their engaging exploration into the bizarre and often impractical fashion trends that have punctuated human history. Joined once again by guest AJ Jacobs, the trio delves deeper into the extravagant and sometimes harmful sartorial choices from bygone eras.
The Extravagance of Tall Wigs
The conversation kicks off with a discussion on the opulent tall wigs of the 18th century, particularly those worn by figures like Marie Antoinette.
- AJ Jacobs (03:05): “The bigger the wig, the bigger the bank account. Yep, you got it.”
AJ explains that these wigs, sometimes reaching heights of four feet, were not just a status symbol but also a practical (though flawed) method to display wealth and social standing. The wigs were complex constructions made from wire, horse hair, human hair, beef tallow, and even adorned with feathers and taxidermied birds.
- AJ Jacobs (05:18): “They had to stick their heads out the window of the carriage… their heads caught on fire.”
The impracticality of maintaining such elaborate wigs, especially during times of social unrest like the lead-up to the French Revolution, made them a symbol of excess that fueled public resentment.
Corsets: The Painful Pursuit of Fashion
Transitioning from wigs, the discussion moves to the restrictive corsets that women wore from the 1700s to the 1800s.
- AJ Jacobs (07:27): “These stays were like proto corsets… They are like boa constrictors around your waist.”
Ben Bolan highlights the extreme constriction of corsets, some of which reduced the waist to an astonishing 13 inches in diameter. The hosts discuss the severe health implications and the societal pressure on women to endure such discomfort for the sake of fashion.
- Newspaper Quote (08:07): “The tight lacing has produced generations of invalids and bequeathed to posterity suffering that will not vanish for many decades.” (Referenced at 08:07)
Resistance to corsetry emerged through early feminist movements and medical professionals who condemned the practice as dangerous and oppressive.
Ruffs and Sumptuary Laws: Ornamental Status Symbols
The episode shifts focus to the ruff, an elaborate neckwear popular during the Elizabethan era.
- AJ Jacobs (18:06): “They were purely ornamental… made of six yards of cloth with up to 600 pleats.”
The ruff served as a clear indicator of social class, with larger and more colorful ruffs signifying higher status. This trend was so contentious that it prompted backlash from religious leaders and was eventually banned by authorities like King Philip of Spain.
- AJ Jacobs (19:36): “A preacher said, the devil, in the fullness of his malice, first invented ruffs.”
Noel Brown raises an intriguing question about the origin of the term "ruff," pondering whether the bird or the fashion trend came first—a mystery still unresolved.
Chopines: The Perilous Platform Shoes
Exploring footwear, the hosts examine the Chopines, towering wooden platform shoes worn by women in 16th-century Europe.
- AJ Jacobs (24:29): “Originally to keep the shoes out of the mud… they grew to almost 20 inches tall.”
These shoes were not only impractical, resembling stilts, but also hazardous, leading to frequent injuries. Shakespeare himself mocked the Chopines in his works, and like other extravagant fashions, they faced criticism from the Puritans.
- Ben Bolan (26:23): “So, that's when Puritans came in… not very fans of monarchy either.”
The discussion highlights how such exaggerated fashion choices contributed to societal tensions leading to significant historical events like the French Revolution.
Nudism and the Naturist Movement: A Bold Rebellion
AJ Jacobs introduces the topic of nudism as a form of protest against oppressive fashion norms.
- AJ Jacobs (36:11): “They believed that clothing was an oppressive capitalist conspiracy.”
The naturist movement sought to eliminate clothing to dismantle social hierarchies reinforced by fashion. However, this movement faced severe opposition, notably from the Nazis in the 1930s, who viewed nudism as a threat to societal morals and gender relations.
- AJ Jacobs (38:48): “The Nazis went on a campaign against nudism because it threatened the morality of the Volk.”
Noel Brown reflects on the movement's dual role in challenging both fashion oppression and body shaming.
Sumptuary Laws: Then and Now
Ben Bolan and AJ Jacobs discuss sumptuary laws, historical regulations that dictated what individuals could wear based on their social status.
- Ben Bolan (29:59): “We could argue that there was a serious state concern that people dressed a certain way might be able to impersonate an authority figure.”
These laws were enforced to maintain social hierarchies, such as restrictions on the color purple, reserved for nobility. The hosts ponder whether similar social agreements continue today, albeit unofficially.
- AJ Jacobs (35:27): “There are always going to be laws about what people can and cannot wear… like you can't just go out and wear nothing, for instance.”
Reflection on Modern Fashion Trends
As the episode nears its conclusion, the trio reflects on contemporary fashion trends and how future generations might view them with the same ridicule as past fashions.
- Ben Bolan (40:08): “History proves we're about 10 days or 10 years away from all the stuff we like being made fun of on shows like this.”
AJ Jacobs humorously acknowledges the potential for current trends like Crocs to be future objects of mockery.
Closing Thoughts and Takeaways
Ben Bolan emphasizes the importance of understanding fashion as a conversation across time, urging listeners to appreciate historical contexts before judging past trends.
- Ben Bolan (40:12): “Perhaps the most important point is that we must be hesitant to dunk on fashion of yesteryear too hard.”
AJ Jacobs agrees, highlighting the cyclical nature of fashion and societal acceptance.
Notable Quotes
- AJ Jacobs (05:18): “They had to stick their heads out the window of the carriage… their heads caught on fire.”
- AJ Jacobs (07:27): “These stays were like proto corsets… They are like boa constrictors around your waist.”
- Ben Bolan (40:12): “Perhaps the most important point is that we must be hesitant to dunk on fashion of yesteryear too hard.”
Conclusion
"History's Most Ridiculous Clothing, with AJ Jacobs: Part Two" is a captivating exploration of the lengths to which humans have gone to signify status, beauty, and adherence to societal norms through clothing. Ben Bolan, Noel Brown, and AJ Jacobs skillfully blend humor with historical analysis, offering listeners both entertainment and education on the absurdities of fashion across the ages.
For more insights and discussions on the quirks of history, tune into Ridiculous History by iHeartRadio.