how did changes in clothing after the french revolution express the idea of equality.

People in Europe dressed according to their regional codes. They were further limited by the options of cloth available to them due to cost and more importantly due to their class, gender and social standing. In France, between 1294 and the French Revolution in 1789, people's clothing were affected by a strict set of laws known as the sumptuary laws. These laws regulated the use of certain cloth and the amount of cloth bought in a year by people considered to be of lower social rank, the food and drink consumed by these people and hunting of game to only certain areas. The amount of clothing bought by a person of a lower rank was limited not only by his income but also the social rank he has. Certain fabrics like silk, brocade and velvet which were considered to be used by royalty could not be used by the common man.

The French Revolution also revolutionised even clothing. Jacobin and his followers popularised the use of sans culottes or pants which were loose and comfortable and without knee breeches. These set the common man apart from the aristocracy and brought about a sense of equality in style. The colours of the French flag ie., blue, white and red were also popularised and stood for liberty, equality and fraternity.