School Uniforms

School Uniforms

Author: Avery Trufelman June 18, 2025 Duration: 45:30

How uniforms shaped the American school system. Images and a very special animation at articlesofinterest.substack.com

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Avery Trufelman’s Articles of Interest digs into the often overlooked stories stitched into the fabric of our daily lives. This isn't just a fashion podcast in the conventional sense; it’s a deep, curious exploration of why we wear what we wear, treating clothing as a tangible record of culture, labor, identity, and even rebellion. Each episode feels like unfolding a carefully preserved garment from a trunk, revealing the hidden histories and complex meanings in everything from blue jeans and pockets to specific uniforms and forgotten trends. Trufelman’s approach is both personal and rigorously researched, blending narrative storytelling with insightful interviews. Listeners hear the rustle of taffeta and the hum of sewing machines, but also the voices of designers, historians, and everyday people, all piecing together how our wardrobe choices reflect deeper societal shifts. The series, nestled within the broader Arts and Beauty landscape, redefines these categories by arguing that what we put on our bodies is one of our most intimate forms of expression and communication. Tune in for a thoughtful, beautifully produced journey that will change the way you look at your own closet and the world walking past you on the street.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 60

Articles of Interest
Podcast Episodes
Modesty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:58
Why would God care what we wear? A tour through Islam, Mormonism, and Judaism, and all of their varying and overlapping commands. For more images and information, go to articlesofinterest.substack.com Learn about your ad…
Nudity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:11
Sometimes it’s liberating to be naked. Sometimes it’s really really not. Notes, links, and images at articlesofinterest.substack.com Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Chromophobia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:29
Color. Why we need it. Why we fear it. And where its future might lie. Images and links at articlesofinterest.substack.com Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support Articles of Interest. Thank you! ht…
A Few Shoes [LIVE] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:30
On stage in Toronto, with the help of shoe designer Aurora James and shoe historian Elizabeth Semmelhack, we go over a few shoes- and what they say about ourselves and the world. Images of all the shoes discussed are at…
Wearing Hair [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:52
You and I both know this. The supply chain is super messed up. The way humans make clothing is deeply messed up. So should we just make garments made of human hair? A very real question, with very real answers. For links…
More Pockets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:49
This is a special re visit of one of my favorite stories: Pockets. Followed up by a special live interview with Hannah Carlson, author of the book Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close, to see what’s c…
Plus Sizes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:33
Plus-sized fashion seems to live in a separate trend cycle. There are different patterns, different cuts. And most notably, women’s shirts often have holes in their shoulders. And this separate plus-sized fashion univers…
The Corduroy Appreciation Club [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:16
A secret society. A secret tradition. And a cloth that somehow lends itself to ritual. articlesofinterest.substack.com (I can’t believe that, fatefully, this is the 11th episode of the year.) Learn about your ad choices:…
Paisley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:03
Himanshu kept seeing paisley everywhere: from his home temple to his couch cushions to his mom’s pants. Some of these products were Indian but a lot weren’t. How did this pattern get embraced by the world? See articlesof…
Paper and Rubber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:32
This is about two examples of cloth-alternatives. One that went extinct. And one that’s very much alive. This story deals with sex and sexuality. But in a fun way! Images, links, and more details at articlesofinterest.su…