CFP: Dress in America

May 20, 2025

Call for Papers
Dress in America: 250 years of American Fashion

In 2026, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. As the country commemorates this momentous milestone, it is a great opportunity to examine the role of dress, clothing, textiles, and fashion in shaping ideas about the nation, its people, and its history. We invite submissions to a special issue “Dress in America: 250 Years of American Fashion” that will focus on the topics of what is American about American Fashion? How are American identities, past, present, and future, constructed through dress? How dress was used and imagined in commemorating the American experience? We especially encourage submissions that explore definitions of who or what is American, who belongs to the Nation, and how dress can be used as both an inclusionary and exclusionary tool in those definitions. Graduate students, early-career researchers, and museum practitioners are especially welcome to submit.


Contributors are invited to prepare full manuscripts that address this theme from a variety of perspectives. We accept submissions in the format of Research articles (6000-10000 words), Research reports (3000-5000 words), or Visual Essays (10-20 images, 1500-2000 words).

Selected articles will be subject to a double-anonymous peer review. The deadline for submission of articles and reports is September 30, 2025. Possible topics may include but not limited to:

  • Dress and American Identities
  • Indigenous dress
  • The Definition and Evolution of “American Style”
  • Producers and Consumers of American Dress
  • Dress and Slavery
  • Dress and Independence
  • Dress as resistance in the United States and its territories
  • Commemoration through Dress
  • Dress and Memory
  • American Textiles
  • American Fashion Industry
  • Immigration and Nationalism
  • Activist Dress in the United States and its territories
  • Exhibiting American Fashion
  • Constructions of Americana and heritage through dress
  • The presence/influence of American military dress in the US and beyond


Submission Requirements:

  • Submit full manuscripts, including low-res images, as a Word document (not as pdf).
  • Include an abstract of 150-200 words with 6 keywords.
  • Use Chicago Manual of Style citation method (notes only).
  • Use double-spaced Times New Roman 12-point font and include page numbers.
  • Images should include full captions (permission not required at submission stage).
  • Label file name: Lastname_Short Title.
  • Indicate category of submission as research article, report, or visual essay.


All submissions should be made through ScholarOne submission portal available by clicking here.


Detailed Instructions for Authors are also available on the Taylor & Francis webpage for Dress found here.


Any other questions can be addressed to Dress Principal Editor Dr. Einav Rabinovitch-Fox at dress@costumesocietyamerica.com



By Kristen Zohn June 26, 2025
This month, we spoke with Brennan Lowery of Uovo, a fashion, art, and wine storage and services business that houses brands from Vera Wang to Oscar de la Renta and client wardrobes from Olivia Palermo to Sarah Jessica Parker. The history of dress and the future of fashion act in dialogue, always interfacing to inform our present moment. The Costume Society of America’s diverse members exemplify this reality like no other; through the constant connections across time and disciplines they draw, our membership of costume curators, designers, artists, and so much more embody fashion’s ubiquitous presence - and dress’s daily power to teach us all something new. We hope you will join us for CSA’s new Dialogues on Dress series, interviews now available monthly in our e-News and here on our website. Interested in getting in touch? Email enews@costumesocietyamerica.com
June 12, 2025
Cue the applause— Costume Society of America’s 2025 Symposium was a blockbuster success!
June 11, 2025
After thorough deliberation by our Membership Dues Taskforce and approval by the Board of Directors, Costume Society of America has established the following updated membership rates: Standard Membership: $130 (previously $95) Student Membership: $65 (50% reduction from standard rate) Emerging/Retired/Emeritus: $105 (approximately 20% reduction) CSA Patron (covers the discount for one Emerging or Retired/Emeritus membership): $155 CSA Champion (covers one student membership): $195 Museum/Association: $260 (includes 2 memberships) Business Associate: $380 (includes 2 memberships plus $200 value in promotion to CSA members) These rates reflect both the actual cost of providing member benefits ($125 per member) and adjustments for inflation since our last dues increase in 2012. The new structure maintains our commitment to accessibility through discounted rates for students, emerging professionals, and retired members. Implementation Timeline: The new membership rates will take effect on July 1 st Membership renewal dates will still operate on a rolling basis Members with renewals due before the July 1 st implementation will be processed at the current rates Your Membership Value: Your CSA membership continues to provide exceptional value, including: Access to our professional network Discounted registration for our annual symposium and regional events Subscriptions to Dress and Fashion Theory Professional development and grant opportunities Free access to popular webinars like Dress & Drinks and Conversations on Dress Looking Forward: The Board has committed to establishing a regular review cycle for membership dues every [3-5] years to avoid substantial increases in the future. This approach will allow for smaller, more predictable adjustments that keep pace with inflation and operational costs. Frequently Asked Questions: Q: Why is such a significant increase necessary? A: Our dues have remained unchanged since 2012, while the cost of operations has steadily increased. Rather than gradually adjusting rates over time, we've had to make a larger correction now to ensure financial sustainability. Q: What about regional subsidies for membership? A: The taskforce has recommended that regional leadership explore alternative ways to support members through scholarships, free event registrations, travel funds, and other programs rather than membership subsidies, which have been unevenly available across regions. Q: How was the new rate determined? A: The taskforce considered several factors: the actual cost per member ($125), inflation since 2012 (which would make the equivalent rate approximately $133), and the need to balance organizational financial health with member accessibility. Q: What if I can't afford the new rate? A: Those for whom the rise in member fees will cause a financial hardship can apply for a subsidy that will allow them to maintain their current fee level for one year. This will involve filling out a short form stating their need for a subsidy; we will not ask for any details about that need. Renewing members must complete the form and receive instructions before the membership is renewed; subsidies will not be provided after a membership has been renewed. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Vice President for Internal Affairs Katie Baker Jones at kathryn.jones@mail.wvu.edu . We value your feedback and are committed to addressing members' needs. Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we take this necessary step to ensure CSA's financial health and continued service to our community.
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