When it comes to clothing, all of us are under the influence. Whether you pay minimal attention to what you wear or devote hours to crafting the perfect look, your choices are shaped by trends that are, in turn, guided by broader social and cultural forces. 

One person who knows how to navigate these complex threads is American radio producer and podcaster Avery Trufelman. Since 2018, Trufelman has been examining what we wear in her show Articles of Interest, which explores everything from the history of casual Fridays to the Black, Jewish and Japanese roots of preppy clothing. She talked to Griffith Review editor Carody Culver about the enduring (and ever-shifting) aesthetics of leisurewear and business casual and what they might reveal about our relationship to work and play. This conversation has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.