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We Are What We Wear: Exhibition Examines Clothing That Changed The World

A new exhibition at New York's MoMA explores the social history of clothing items like flip-flops ("a humble masterpiece," according to one curator) and the white T-shirt.
Curator Paola Antonelli says the white T-shirt is both timeless and universal.

From baseball caps to saris to the little black dress, there's a social history woven into the clothing we wear. A new exhibition at New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) explores that history. "Items: Is Fashion Modern?" looks at some of the garments that changed the world — but the show less about fashion, and more about design, history and why things last.

Consider, for example, flip-flops, aka thongs. "The thong is very

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