culture
March 8, 2026
Georges Sand, by wearing pants, announced femininity
The new book by Ljubica Arsić, "Naked and Dressed" (published by Agora), offers a unique interpretation of some of the most significant literary works by analyzing how authors "dress" their characters. Characters from Flaubert, Tolstoy, Gogol, Proust, Andrić, Nabokov, Hemingway, as well as those by Tennessee Williams, Colette, and many others, wear clothes as a character trait, a hint, a premonition, an atmosphere of the work and their literary era; through their clothing, writers actually strip them bare in terms of character. At the same time, Ljubica Arsić analyzes contemporary phenomena related to dressing, the human body, and eroticism. She also provides insights into the history of fashion details and accessories, such as gloves, trousers, uniforms, jeans, shoes, sexy underwear, and even the history of colors.
TL;DR
- Clothing in literature serves as a key to character, suggestion, atmosphere, and the literary era.
- Authors like Flaubert, Tolstoy, Gogol, Proust, Andrić, and Hemingway use attire to reveal and define their characters.
- The book examines contemporary attitudes towards dressing, the body, and eroticism.
- It explores the history of fashion items, accessories, and colors, highlighting their symbolic meanings.
- The analysis extends to how clothing reflects social status, personal struggles, and cultural ideals.
- Contemporary fashion is discussed in relation to freedom, body positivity, and the challenging pursuit of eternal youth.
- The evolution of women's fashion, from the adoption of trousers by George Sand to modern business attire, is explored.
- The article contrasts historical dandies with modern "metrosexuals," highlighting differences in their approach to style and self-expression.
- It touches upon the portrayal of writers' styles in literature, contrasting Western and Serbian traditions.
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