Pantaloons 1935 - 1942

Henry De Wolfe sketched these pantaloons, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century, using pencil and watercolor on paper. The garment, with its high waist and vertical stripes, speaks volumes about the era’s rigid social structures. Consider the recurring motif of clothing throughout history; from ancient Roman togas to medieval tunics, clothing symbolizes status, identity, and societal roles. Even the simple act of buttoning, prominently featured in the sketch, carries layers of meaning. Buttons, like clasps, imply closure but also the potential for release, embodying a tension between control and liberation. Throughout different times and places clothing has been much more than mere fabric: Think of the Puritan's somber attire, a stark contrast to the flamboyant garments of the Renaissance court. The symbolic evolution of attire is part of our collective memory and a testament to how visual language has shaped cultural narratives.