Uniform clothing in egalitarian utopias protested status stratification.

Evidence

Bacon’s utopian society therefore accepted the period’s existing social stratification, but displayed upward mobility in the case of the “scientist,” who was placed in the highest stratum. This structure contrasted sharply with the utopias of Campanella and Andreä. The white togas worn by all the citizens of the City of the Sun can be viewed, not as a manifestation of uniformity or monastic severity, but as a protest against the stratification of status and wealth reflected in fine, rich clothing. Likewise, in Christianopolis all people wore gray or white clothing made of linen or wool, depending on the season. “They have only two suits of clothes, one for their work, one for the holidays; and for all classes they are made alike… . None have fancy, tailored goods.” — Carolyn Merchant, The Death of Nature, 699

Categorization

• ADDENDUM: Ties directly to article 2: the egalitarian utopias’ uniform dress is the counter-case against sumptuary law — deliberate de-stratification through dress.
• XREF: Connects to ch24’s point that organic communal theory underpinned egalitarian utopias — Campanella and Andreä’s uniform clothing continues that egalitarian politics. — connects to: Appropriating elite dress let commoners claim elite social rights — Lyn H. Lofland, World of Strangers_ Order and Action in…, 1109; Emancipated women signal status through indifference to fashion. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 731; People alternate between egalitarian and prejudiced stances depending on what a situation makes salient (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Appropriating elite dress let commoners claim elite social rights #complicates (0.80) — Lyn H. Lofland, World of Strangers_ Order and Action in…, 1109
• People alternate between egalitarian and prejudiced stances depending on what a situation makes salient #expands (0.80)
• Liberated individuals turn from equality toward distinguishing themselves from others #complicates (0.80) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 535
• In egalitarian societies discrimination becomes the only available means of distinction #expands (0.80) — Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 192
• Emancipated women signal status through indifference to fashion. #expands (0.75) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 731
• elites fear dress imitation because it implies claiming the associated rights #corroborates (0.75)
• Official nonracialism is public dress that hides private difference #complicates (0.75)