Indiana's DIY Senior Cords: A Century of Student Folk Fashion
So, there's this article by James Sholly called Commercial Article #17 that talks about senior cords, a cool DIY fashion trend that started at Purdue University back in 1904. It really took off in colleges and high schools across Indiana, especially in the '60s and '70s. These cords are usually worn without washing and are covered in fun designs, club logos, and inside jokes, making them a way for students to express themselves. Historians Kelly Gallett Richardson and Mary Figueroa add some great insights, too. Recently, brands like Bode and Ralph Lauren, along with stars like Harry Styles and Kendall Jenner, have brought this style back, which Sholly sees as a tradition that embodies youth culture.
Key facts
- Senior cords originated at Purdue University in 1904.
- The tradition is unique to Indiana and Hawaii as regional clothing items.
- Peak popularity was in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Commercial Article #17, edited by James Sholly, explores the phenomenon.
- Contributors include Kelly Gallett Richardson and Mary Figueroa.
- Fashion houses Bode and Ralph Lauren have created versions of senior cords.
- Celebrities Harry Styles, Leon Bridges, Jeff Goldblum, and Kendall Jenner have worn or featured senior cords.
- The cords were never intended to be washed, with accumulated filth seen as a sign of authenticity.
Entities
Artists
- James Sholly
- Kelly Gallett Richardson
- Mary Figueroa
- Avery Trufelman
- Harry Styles
- Leon Bridges
- Jeff Goldblum
- Kendall Jenner
- James H. Madison
Institutions
- Commercial Article
- Elizabeth Sage Historic Costume Collection
- Indiana University
- Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites
- Purdue University
- Bode
- Ralph Lauren
- Architectural Digest
- PRINT Magazine
Locations
- Indiana
- United States
- Hawaii