Astripe is a line or band that differs in color or tone from an adjacent area. Stripes are a group of such lines in a repeating pattern of similar regions.
The early history of stripe is unclear but according to the written histories, during the 13th century, Carmelites monk are thought to have worn brown and white stripes. For more than 25 years, the monks resisted orders from eleven successive popes to give up their cloaks, only succumbing to Pope Boniface VIII's ban of striped clothing from all religious orders.[1] This marks the stripe patterns are not well accepted in the society back then.
The stigma of wearing stripes persisted into the medieval era (as late as the 1700's), being associated with Europe's “outcast” population, such as prostitutes, clowns, hangmen, heretics, and lepers. Beginning in the 1800's, Europe began to embrace the Neo-classical style.[2][3]
In the United States during this time, the stripe's stigma was well entrenched. This led to prisoners wearing a Prison uniform of black and white stripes for both humiliation and to discourage escape attempts. This practice continued until the early 20th century, when striped uniforms were slowly phased out by the United States.[4]
However, once the roaring twenties era had arrived, stripe was being mainstream again as it represents privilege life. First, it can be seen in part of the male fashion and worn as school uniforms, first at public schools, then at universities.[5] Coco Chanel was inspired by the French Navy workers’ uniform during a visit to the French Riviera. The French Navy had been using their classic navy and white striped shirt for a long time (since the 1850s) before Chanel saw it, but as Coco liked the pattern so much, she started to include the now famous striped colour combo into her designs.[1]
As a pattern (more than one stripe together), stripes are commonly seen in nature, food, emblems, clothing, and elsewhere.
Two-toned stripes inherently draw one's attention, and as such are used to signal hazards. They are used in road signs, barricade tape, and thresholds.
In nature, as with the zebra, stripes may have developed through natural selection to produce motion dazzle.[6][failed verification]
Stripes may give appeal to certain sweets like the candy cane.
For hundreds of years, stripes have been used in clothing.[7] Striped clothing has frequently had negative symbolism in Western cultures.[7] Historian Michel Pastoureau explores the cultural history of these design decisions in the book, The Devil's Cloth.[7]
Media related to Stripes at Wikimedia Commons