时尚变变变：女装背后的男装历史｜2024年5月号

In the realm of fashion, we often label clothing as “for men” or “for women” in a gender-specific manner, but history tells a more complex story. Several items we now consider women’s clothing were deeply influenced by men’s fashion needs in earlier eras.

Take high heels,for example. These shoes were initially worn by Persian cavalry in the Middle Ages to secure their feet in stirrups while riding a horse. European high society took notice centuries later, and the trend of men wearing high heels in order to look taller and more impressive reached its peak under French King Louis XIV. He even made high heels exclusive to the nobility, turning them into a symbol of status and power.

Then there are stockings, once a must-have for European gentlemen. After the knitting machine was invented in 1589, silk stockings became readily accessible to upper-class men keen to conceal leg hair, which was a social norm at the time. Louis XIV likewise embraced these products with enthusiasm, initiating a fashion wave that soon crossed gender boundaries.

Wigs, too, have a masculine past. Although the use of wigs can be traced back to much earlier times, it was King Louis XIII of France who made wearing wigs popular. When the king faced premature hair loss in his 20s, he began wearing elaborate wigs to conceal it. This personal solution quickly became another status symbol among European noblemen.

This historical journey through fashion illustrates how gender associations with clothing items can shift. Next time you consider fashion’s gender rules, bear in mind that they’re more like suggestions, subject to change and reinterpretation over time.

在时尚领域，我们常常以针对特定性别的方式将服装冠上「男装」或「女装」的标签，但历史却讲述了一个更为复杂的故事。几种我们现在认为是女性服装的服装品项在更早的时代是深受男性时尚需求影响的。

以高跟鞋为例。这种鞋最初是中世纪波斯骑兵骑马时在穿的，用来将脚固定在马鞍上。几个世纪后，欧洲上流社会注意到了这一点，在法国国王路易十四统治时期，男士为了看上去更加高大和令人印象更加深刻而穿着高跟鞋的趋势达到了巅峰。他甚至使高跟鞋成为贵族专属，将其变成地位和权力的象征。

还有丝袜，丝袜曾经是欧洲绅士的必备品。在公元 1589 年发明编织机之后，丝质长袜对于热衷于掩盖腿毛的上流社会男士而言就变得容易取得了，而掩盖腿毛在当时是一种社会规范。路易十四同样热情地欣然接纳这些产品，掀起了一股很快就跨越性别界限的时尚浪潮。

假发也有一段与男性相关的历史。虽然假发的使用可以追溯到更早的时期，但是让戴假发这件事真正流行起来的是法国国王路易十三。当国王在 20 多岁就面临着头发过早脱落的问题时，他开始戴起了精美的假发来掩饰。这个针对国王个人的解决方案很快就成为了欧洲贵族成员间的又一种地位象征。

这趟穿越时尚历史的旅程说明了服装品项与性别的关联可以如何转变。下次你考虑时尚的性别规则时，请记住它们更像是建议，可能会随着时间推移而出现变化和重新诠释。

1. realm (n.)领域；王国

With hard work, achieving your dreams is within the realm of possibility.

透过努力，实现你的梦想就会在可能的范畴之内。

2. secure (v.)使牢靠；使安全；设法获得

Make sure to secure doors and windows before the typhoon hits your place.

在台风袭击你的所在地之前，确保使门窗固定好。

3. stocking (n.)长筒袜

Hang the Christmas stocking by the fireplace for Santa Claus to fill with gifts.

将圣诞袜挂在壁炉旁，让圣诞老公公装满礼物。

4. likewise (adv.)同样地

Since Jenna is so popular, when she follows a trend,many of her classmates do likewise.

因为珍娜很受欢迎，当她跟上一种潮流时，她的许多同学都会同样效仿。

5.embrace (v.)欣然接受；拥抱

It’s important to embrace new challenges as they offer opportunities for growth and learning.

乐于接受新的挑战是很重要的，因为挑战提供了成长和学习的机会。

6. wig (n.)假发

The actor wore a wig to play a character from the 18th century.

这名演员戴上假发扮演公元 18 世纪的角色。

7. masculine (adj.)男性的；阳刚的

The design features of the sports car gave it a fashionable and masculine appearance.

这款跑车在设计上的特点赋予其时尚而阳刚的外观。

8. premature (adj.)过早的；不成熟的

The premature announcement of the winner caused confusion among the audience.

对获胜者的过早宣布在观众之间引起了混乱。

9. shift (v.)转移；改变

The market demand shifted toward more eco-friendly products.

市场需求转向更环保的产品。