Course Description:

This course explores theories related to appearance, clothing, and fashion, and how they influence cultural identities, gender perceptions, and fashion product consumption. We examine contemporary dress from both within and outside the United States. Dress is analyzed as a communication system that conveys individuality and status within social systems such as kinship, economy, religion, and polity. We study the technologies and types of dress in various societies, understanding their connection to behaviors and beliefs about morality, hygiene, rituals, and beauty.