‭Fashion, a dynamic and broad phenomenon, spreads through every aspect of daily human‬

‭life, serving as a visual language that displays one’s identity, social status, cultural values, and‬

‭more. Fashion not only encompasses clothing, but also accessories, makeup, and hairstyles. It is‬

‭a reflection of society–mirroring beliefs, attitudes, and goals of a specific time and place. The‬

‭evolution of fashion is intertwined with historical events and technological advancements,‬

‭making it a compelling subject of study across various academic disciplines. Fashion has‬

‭attracted the attention of scholars in two disciplines in particular: history and engineering. With‬

‭fashion being a broad subject of inquiry, both disciplines are very different in nature while‬

‭studying it. While history focuses on wholesale catalogs of mass fashion in Birmingham from‬

‭the 1920s to the 1960s, engineering centers on researching 3D printing in fashion using‬

‭Thermoplastic Polyurethane. As a result of these drastic differences between disciplines, each of‬

‭them communicate their fashion research differently through their texts.‬

‭In the history academic research article “‘Better Dressed than Birmingham’? Wholesale‬

‭Clothing Catalogues and the Communication of Mass Fashion, 1920s to 1960s,” Jenny Gilbert‬

‭presents her topic about the “Big Four” of Birmingham clothing and textile companies from the‬

‭mid-nineteenth century until the 1970s and their role in communicating and distributing mass‬

‭fashion through printed communications‬‭1‭.‬ Gilbert argues‬‭in her research article that these‬

‭wholesale clothing catalogs served as pivotal tools in circulating mass fashion trends and designs‬

‭to a wide audience throughout Birmingham, thus influencing consumer behavior and shaping‬

‭fashion trends in the 1920s to 1960s. By examining the catalog’s layouts, contents, and strategies‬

‭for distribution, Gilbert illustrates how they functioned as the “vital link ‘in the chain of‬

‭distribution’”‬‭2‬‭. Gilbert’s argument is backed up‬‭by her comprehensive analysis of reliable,‬

‭primary source materials, including archival documents, catalogs, and testimonies from the‬

‭1.‬ G
‭ ilbert, Jenny. “‘Better Dressed than Birmingham’? Wholesale Clothing Catalogues and the‬
‭Communication of Mass Fashion, 1920s to 1960s.” Midland history 45, no. 2 (2020): 258,‬
‭https://doi.org/10.1080/0047729X.2020.1767978‬
‭industries‬‭3‬‭, which makes her argument very convincing for the audience. She also uses many‬

‭figures throughout her research paper that all consist of different catalogs from the “Big Four”‬

‭companies. Gilbert’s presentation of her evidence is clear and convincing. She uses her sources‬

‭by implementing historical context to support her argument regarding the importance of‬

‭wholesale clothing catalogs. Additionally, the usage of her visual aids, or figures, showcasing‬

‭different catalogs from the “Big Four” companies enhances the credibility of Gilbert’s analysis,‬

‭and allows readers to visualize the evolution of fashion trends over Birmingham. Through her‬

‭thoughtful research, Gilbert effectively demonstrates the relationship between the “Big Four”‬

‭Birmingham companies and the spread of mass fashion in the 1900s. Gilbert’s focus on the‬

‭socio-economic factors underlying the fashion industry further enhances her research topic‬

‭argument, providing compelling evidence about fashion consumption and trends during a‬

‭specific historical period‬‭4‬‭.‬

‭Engineering, on the other hand, delves into the topic of fashion through a completely‬

‭different lens. In the research article titled “Thermoplastic Polyurethane Based on the 3d Printing‬

‭Fashion Clothing-Conceptual Model of The Fashion Industry,” authors Muhammad Ilias Hossen‬

‭and Chaoxia Wang present their argument about the implementation of 3D printing technology‬

‭within the fashion industry. Their central research topic revolves around the potential of‬

‭Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) as an integral material in 3D printing clothing items, offering‬

‭various models that showcase the impact and importance of this innovative approach in the‬

2‭ . Gilbert, “Better Dressed,” 258.‬

‭3. Gilbert, “Better Dressed,” 258.‬
‭4. Gilbert, “Better Dressed,” 259.‬
‭fashion industry‬‭5‭.‬ Hossen and Wang first make their‬‭argument by providing an overview of the‬

‭current landscape of 3D printing technology in fashion; they assert that although 3D printing has‬

‭problems and concerns in the fashion industry, there is potential with the usage of TPU as a‬

‭sustainable material. They delve into the unique, sustainable properties of TPU, emphasizing that‬

‭it has outstanding “properties like tear resistance, resistance to chemicals, abrasion resistance,‬

‭skin compatibility, large elongation break, resistance to ozone, low-temperature resistance,‬

‭resistance to oxygen, low long-term deformation rate, resistance to oil and fuels, antimicrobial‬

‭properties, resistant to fungus, soft elasticity, and excellent bending and tension strength”‬‭6‬‭.‬

‭Hossen and Chaoxia use a plethora of Google Scholar articles about 3D printing and fashion and‬

‭implement them by integrating multiple quotes and researching models from their referenced‬

‭articles. The authors use scientific scholarly literature to provide a theoretical framework for‬

‭their article. These reliable, scholarly articles make the author’s claim clear and convincing,‬

‭ensuring that the audience understands the revolutionary benefits of TPU usage in 3D printing.‬

‭Through a combination of models/tables, theoretical analysis, and experimentation, the authors‬

‭take a scientific approach to fashion to demonstrate the benefits of utilizing TPU-based 3D‬

‭printing technology for fashion clothing production‬‭7‬‭.‬

‭Jenny Gilbert’s article seems to target an audience of scholars and researchers interested‬

‭in the fashion industry, as well as individuals interested in economics and history. Her focus on‬

‭mass fashion and the role of wholesale catalogs suggests an audience that is interested in‬

‭understanding consumer culture, mass fashion, and commercialization during a specific period,‬

‭or in this case, Birmingham in the 20th century. Gilbert assumes that her audience has a‬

5‭ . Hossen, Muhammad Ilias, and Chaoxia Wang. “Thermoplastic Polyurethane Based on the 3d‬
‭Printing Fashion Clothing-Conceptual Model of The Fashion Industry.” Fibres & textiles in Eastern Europe 30, no. 6‬
‭(2022): 1,‬‭https://doi.org/10.2478/ftee-2022-0047‬
‭6. Hossen and Chaoxia, “Thermoplastic Polyurethane,” 2.‬
‭7. Hossen and Chaoxia, “Thermoplastic Polyurethane,” 5.‬
‭basic understanding of historical research and concepts, and she utilizes some jargon throughout‬

‭her article. Although Gilbert uses jargon such as “wholesaler,” she immediately defines it as‬

‭“companies who provided the distribution channel between the small independent clothing‬

‭retailer … and the small to medium-sized manufacturer.”‬‭8‬ ‭Terms like “swagger coat,” “tweeds”‬

‭and “smock,” while it may confuse readers who do not understand specific fashion terms, are‬

‭used to build specificity to the article. Through her focus on the “Big Four” Birmingham clothing‬

‭and textile companies and their use of wholesale clothing catalogs, Gilbert contributes to the‬

‭discussion of fashion production and consumerism from the early to mid-20th century.‬

‭On the other hand, Hossen and Wang’s article appears to target an audience of engineers‬

‭and researchers in the fields of fashion technology. Specifically, their focus on 3D printing‬

‭technology using TPU for fashion clothing production suggests that their audience would be‬

‭interested in innovative fashion, environment and sustainability, and the fashion industry. The‬

‭authors assume that their audience possesses a significant amount of understanding of‬

‭engineering, 3D printing, and manufacturing processes. Hossen and Wang use an abundance of‬

‭jargon such as “antimicrobial,” “warpage” and “Eigenvalues.” These jargon terms would not‬

‭make sense to the average reader who has no knowledge of fashion and engineering and has a‬

‭high possibility of getting confused. Hossen and Wang do not explain these terms and assume‬

‭that the readers have a preconceived understanding of these terms, suggesting that the audience‬

‭would be engineers and researchers who are already in this field. By exploring the potential of‬

‭TPU-based 3D printing technology in fashion clothing production, the authors are able to‬

‭contribute new insights into the interconnectedness of fashion and engineering to their audience.‬

‭8. Gilbert, “Better Dressed,” 258.‬

 ‭Jenny Gilbert’s article is organized in a structural manner by following a clear argument‬

‭and ideas. She uses footnotes and a Chicago Manual of Style citation in her notes. Her article‬

‭consists of different sections and subheadings: the abstract, “The Wholesale Clothing Trade,‬

‭1920s to 1960s,” “The Birmingham ‘Big Four’: The Companies and Locations,”‬

‭“Communication through Catalogues,” “Bells, Birds and Greyhounds: Branding and Own-Brand‬

‭Goods,” the conclusion and finally, her acknowledgments. Gilbert is able to further organize her‬

‭analysis and allow easy navigation for the reader through her subheadings and sections. Gilbert’s‬

‭tone throughout her research article is scholarly, informative, and authoritative. She also uses‬

‭formal and precise language to ensure clarity and accuracy in her information. Authors‬

‭Muhammad Ilias Hossen and Chaoxia Wang follow a similar format to Gilbert’s article. Their‬

‭article begins with an abstract with a summary of the research, then it is followed by their article‬

‭with the introduction section that provides background information on 3D printing and TPU.‬

‭Their article includes many subheadings with different titles, in which they discuss their‬

‭methodology, research, and visual figures. They also include a “Figures and Tables” section‬

‭where they present their findings with different figures such as graphs and tables. Finally, they‬

‭have a references section where they also use the Chicago Manual of Style citations. The tone of‬

‭their article is significantly scholarly, especially with their usage of figures from their conducted‬

‭research. Their language is professional, formal, and specialized, which is catered to an audience‬

‭familiar with engineering terminology.‬

‭In conclusion, this comparative analysis of different scholarly approaches to the study of‬

‭fashion in the disciplines of history and engineering provides an understanding of the differences‬

‭and similarities between the two. Through the examination of Jenny Gilbert’s research of‬

‭wholesale clothing catalogs in “‘Better Dressed than Birmingham’? Wholesale Clothing‬

‭Catalogues and the Communication of Mass Fashion, 1920s to 1960s,” and Muhammad Ilias‬

‭Hossen and Chaoxia Wang’s research of Thermoplastic Polyurethane in 3D printed fashion items‬

‭in “Thermoplastic Polyurethane Based on the 3d Printing Fashion Clothing-Conceptual Model of‬

‭The Fashion Industry,” valuable insights have been gained. Their diverse methodologies in‬

‭research, arguments, sources, language, tone, and organization all contribute to the comparative‬

‭nature of both disciplines. Gilbert’s analysis of primary archival sources illustrates the historical‬

‭and economic context of shaping mass fashion trends while offering a narrative of how mass‬

‭fashion was communicated throughout the 20th century. In contrast, Hossen and Wang’s‬

‭scientific research highlights the revolutionary potential of engineering technologies in fashion‬

‭production, highlighting the usage of TPU and the interconnectedness of fashion and‬

‭engineering. Comparing and contrasting these different disciplinary perspectives brings forth a‬

‭comprehensive understanding of fashion as a dynamic and versatile topic between technology‬

‭and history.‬
 ‭Notes‬

‭Gilbert, Jenny. “‘Better Dressed than Birmingham’? Wholesale Clothing Catalogues and the‬

‭Communication of Mass Fashion, 1920s to 1960s.”‬‭Midland‬‭history‬‭45, no. 2 (2020):‬

‭258–274.‬‭https://doi.org/10.1080/0047729X.2020.1767978‬

‭Hossen, Muhammad Ilias, and Chaoxia Wang. “Thermoplastic Polyurethane Based on the 3d‬

‭Printing Fashion Clothing-Conceptual Model of The Fashion Industry.”‬‭Fibres & textiles‬

‭in Eastern Europe‬‭30, no. 6 (2022): 1–11.‬‭https://doi.org/10.2478/ftee-2022-0047‬