[A Sip of Books] The Power Dynamics of Fashion, The Birth of Dandy

Gyeong Min: "Make Them Dare Not Overstep"

Some sentences encapsulate the entire content of a book in themselves, while others instantly resonate with the reader’s heart, creating a point of connection with the book. We excerpt and introduce such meaningful sentences from books. - Editor’s note

In 19th-century England, the so-called middle class rapidly rose, threatening the position of the aristocracy. The frustration of the aristocrats was clearly evident among the younger generation. To check the advancing middle class, they immersed themselves in fashion. We reexamine the sophisticated and unique styles they devoted themselves to in order to flaunt their cultural capital. The so-called dandy style is one of them.

"Throughout the 19th century, the English aristocracy was intimidated by the soaring momentum of the rising middle class. Their economic status declined, and they had to share a significant portion of political power with the middle class. This class-based frustration was especially profound among the young aristocrats. They had never truly experienced economic superiority since birth, and they had to helplessly watch as political power, which was inherently guaranteed to their distant ancestors or even the immediately preceding generation, was encroached upon by the middle class. For young people born into declining aristocratic families or 'gentry houses whose fortunes had waned,' what remained was cultural capital.

People compete with what they consider superior among what they possess. The young English aristocrats of the 19th century were no different. They noticed that middle-class men?despite their flashy clothes and luxurious accessories?still remained in a rough and 'unsophisticated' style.

The young aristocratic men developed sophisticated and unique styles that displayed their cultural capital, attempting to distinguish themselves from middle-class men. The world called them dandies, and the style, attitude, and values they exhibited were called dandyism."

(Written by Gye Jeong-min / Sonamu)

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.