Stripe (pattern)

A stripe 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 stripes in fashion is unclear. However, in medieval Europe, a stigma existed against wearing striped clothing. During the 13th century, Carmelites monks 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. The stigma of wearing stripes persisted as late as the 18th century, being associated with Europe's “outcast” population, such as prostitutes, clowns, hangmen, heretics, and lepers. Beginning in the 19th century, Europe began to embrace the Neo-classical style. 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.