Berg Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion

Book excerpt: The United States and Canada provides a comprehensive overview of North American dress. This volume explores the region's varied terrains and climates and how they have contributed to the emergence of vastly different sartorial styles, from cowboy dress and blue jeans to snowgoggles and carnival costume. The splendid dress cultures and heritages of First Nation Peoples and African Americans are covered in depth, together with their influence on mainstream fashion. Hispanic and Jewish cultural traditions are also fully explored, while "Snapshots" provide briefer overviews of the dress practices of a surprising range of cultural and social groups in the region, from the Amish to drag queens. The importance of the North American fashion industry, both past and present, is highlighted, as are major influences that continue to shape trends worldwide, such as the Hollywood film industry and rock music.