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117 Awesome Fashion Research Topics: Inspirational Ideas List

fashion research topics

Finding some decent fashion research topics that you can use for your next papers is not easy nowadays. You want something new, something original. Your classmates are probably scouring the Internet as we speak, so why are you still wasting time? Take a look at our long list of 117 exceptional fashion research topics and choose the best one right now.

What makes our topics different, you ask? Our experts are constantly updating the list and adding new ideas. This means you will always be able to find an original idea here on this page. We will soon be adding new topics for 2023, so stay tuned!

What Is The Fashion Research Paper?

Keep in mind that finding some great fashion topics to write about is not enough. You need to be able to create a well-organized, concise research paper. To help you do just that, we will show you the 8 main parts of a research paper:

Title page (or cover page) Start with a hook to catch the attention of your readers, then talk a bit about the background of the problem and present your thesis. Literature review. Here, you will need to demonstrate that you have analyzed the literature related to the topic and that there is a gap in knowledge that needs to be addressed. Research In this section, you will explain in great detail all the methods you have used to gather the data. Be as specific as possible. Data analysis. This is the section where you present and analyze the data. Be objective and avoid discussing the results. This is the section where you can discuss your findings and prove how your research results back your thesis. Don’t forget to acknowledge the limitations of your research. Restate your thesis and summarize your research and findings. Show your readers how your findings answer the research questions. References page. This is where you list all the resources you have used to write your research Make sure you don’t miss any.

Now that you know the overall structure of a research paper, it’s time to give you some excellent topics to write about:

Brand New Fashion Research Paper Topics

We will start our list with the brand new fashion research paper topics. These have been added to the list recently, so you can pick one right now knowing that it’s original:

  • Fashion in Ancient Rome
  • The impact of Jane Austen on the world of fashion
  • Swimwear in the 1980s
  • Using bizarre colors in fashion
  • The rise and fall of the jeans
  • Peer pressure related to fashion trends
  • Social networking and fashion
  • The life and work of Giorgio Armani
  • Talk about hippie fashion
  • Fashion in Islamic religions

Interesting Fashion Topics To Write About

If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, we have a long list of interesting fashion topics to write about. Take a look at the following ideas:

  • The rise of the Chanel brand
  • Does price reflect quality?
  • Fashion in Ancient Egypt
  • The sense of fashion in women
  • The link between art and fashion
  • Discuss ethics in fashion
  • The relationship between style and money
  • The role of clothes in your culture
  • Interesting fashion hacks

Fashion Research Topics 2023

In the fashion research topics 2023, you can find topics that were greatly appreciated in 2023. These may or may not be as appreciated in 2024 though:

  • Fashion in developing countries
  • Research smart casual fashion
  • Compare Asian fashion with American fashion
  • Fashion and aesthetics
  • Marketing a new brand of clothes
  • Fashion in vlogging
  • What are cycles in fashion?
  • The rise of the Versace empire
  • Fashion in Paris

Advanced Fashion Topics To Discuss

We also have a list of more advanced fashion topics to discuss. Just keep in mind that the following topics are not easy to write about. But as an option, you can buy a dissertation on any topic.

  • Negative effects of fashion on the environment
  • Forecasting new trends in 2023
  • Celebrities and fashion
  • Negative effects of fashion on the human psychology
  • Influencer marketing of fashion products
  • Fashion from a religious standpoint
  • The place of leather in fashion in 2023
  • Largest fashion shows in the world
  • The importance of Fashion Weeks in Eastern Europe

Fun Research Topics On Fashion

Who said a research paper can’t be fun? Choose one of these fun research topics on fashion and start writing the perfect paper today:

  • Fashion in 1990s media
  • Funny fashion mishaps
  • Men in fashion advertisements/commercials
  • Fashion in medieval times
  • Crossover fashion in 2023
  • Can you start a fashion business?
  • Fashion in the royal family (the UK)
  • Fashion and school uniforms

Important People In Fashion

One of the easiest ways to write a research paper in the field of fashion is to research an icon. Here are some important people in a fashion that you can talk about:

  • Karl Lagerfeld
  • Stella McCartney
  • Audrey Hepburn
  • David Bowie
  • Princess Diana
  • Charles Frederick Worth
  • Harry Styles
  • Kim Taehyung
  • Coco Chanel
  • Designer Paul Poiret

Fashion Research Paper Topics For High School

If you are a high school student, you need some easier topics to write on. Check out these fashion research paper topics for high school and pick the one you like:

  • Fashion in Ancient Egyptian times
  • Michael Jackson’s fashion
  • Fashion in Western Europe
  • Fashion at the workplace
  • Fashion in schools in the UK
  • Discuss fashion in North Korea
  • Luxury products and the human brain
  • Fashion trends and the science that explains them

Captivating Fashion Design Research Paper Topics

In case you want to discuss fashion design, we have a nice list of captivating fashion design research paper topics right here. All these topics are, of course, 100% free to use:

  • Fashion in the LGBTQ community
  • Fashion in Nazi Germany
  • Fun facts about beachwear
  • The role of Versace in fashion
  • New York as a fashion center
  • Effects of Tik-Tok on fashion
  • The origins of ethnic clothing
  • Mixing 3 styles the right way
  • Fashion and sexism in 2023

Fast Fashion Research Paper Topics

Don’t want to spend a lot of time working on that research paper? No problem! Simply choose one of these fast fashion research paper topics:

  • The role of politics in fashion in the United States
  • Talk about wedding ceremony fashion
  • Talk about trends in baby clothing in the United Kingdom
  • The role celebrities play in fashion marketing
  • Talk about 3 iconic fashion characters
  • An in-depth look at fashion in the punk world

Fashion Topics To Research In 2023

It’s time to think about the topics that should work great in 2023. In fact, our experts have already compiled a list of fashion topics to research in 2023:

  • Talk about the notion of “invisible branding” in fashion
  • Research women’s fashion in the 1980s
  • The role played by art in fashion trends
  • Research 3 major fashion companies
  • Talk about the low rise fashion trend
  • Discuss the women’s oversized bomber jackets trend

Fashion And Marketing Research Topics

As you probably know, fashion and marketing go hand in hand. Take a look at our latest and most interesting fashion and marketing research topics right here:

  • Fashion marketing on social media
  • Fashion marketing in the 1960s
  • Effective marketing strategies for luxury products
  • Style vs. functionality in marketing
  • Marketing and fashion cycles
  • The role of fashion in TV commercials

Fashion Ideas For College Students

College students should research topics that are more complex in nature. Don’t worry though; we have more than enough fashion ideas for college students:

  • Research the hoodies under blazers fashion trend
  • Compare Asian and European fashion
  • Research Jane Austen’s style
  • A closer look at minimalist fashion
  • The beginning of the Haute Couture
  • Fashion and the Internet

Unique Ideas Related To Fashion

This list of topics has been revised recently to make sure all ideas are unique. So, if you’re looking for unique ideas related to fashion, you have definitely arrived at the right place:

  • Analyze the cropped cardigans trend
  • Research the plus-size fashion industry in Indonesia
  • The impact of feminism on fashion
  • Social issues caused by fashion
  • Fashion and cheap labor
  • Effects of religion on fashion

Easy Fashion Essay Topics

If you want to make sure you ace that research paper, you should find an easy topic to talk about. Take a look at these easy fashion essay topics and pick one today:

  • Discuss the notion of “color blocking”
  • Fashion trends during World War II
  • The evolution of men’s suits over the last 100 years
  • Fashion and child labor
  • What is organic clothing?
  • Talk about the rise of wig fashion

Creative Fashion Research Questions

Professors really appreciate creativity, so you should definitely go through this list of creative fashion research questions:

  • A closer look at the puff sleeves trend
  • The Kardashian family’s impact on fashion
  • How did Chanel rise to fame?
  • Sustainability in the fashion industry
  • Fashion and body types
  • Interesting fashion trends in Dubai
  • Talk about fashion in the armed forces

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Fashion Research Paper Topics: History, Consumer Behavior and Industry Trends

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Table of contents

  • 1 How to Choose a Research Paper Topic On Fashion
  • 2.1 Fast Fashion Research Questions
  • 2.2 Sustainable Fashion Topics To Write About
  • 2.3 Ethical Fashion Essay Topics
  • 2.4 Topics about Fashion Designers
  • 2.5 Fashion Brands 
  • 2.6 Business of Fashion
  • 2.7 History of Fashion Topics to Research

Fashion is a dynamic and ever-evolving field, blending creativity, culture, and commerce uniquely and captivating. It is an expression of personal style and a mirror reflecting societal changes, technological advancements, and varying aesthetic preferences across different eras and regions. Delving into fashion research opens a world of exploration, from the dazzling allure of high fashion and iconic designers to the critical issues of sustainability and ethical production practices.

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive list of fashion research topics, encompassing this complex industry’s diverse and vibrant aspects. It also covers a wide range of subjects, from the impact of cultural shifts on fashion trends to the evolving landscape of fashion marketing and retail. These topics offer a rich terrain for in-depth study and analysis.

How to Choose a Research Paper Topic On Fashion

Choosing the right research topics about fashion is a critical step that sets the tone for your entire study. It’s a delicate balance of aligning personal interest with academic value.

  • Start by pinpointing your area of passion within the broad spectrum of fashion. It could be anything from the intricacies of design and the rich tapestry of fashion history, to the pressing issues of ethics and the evolving dynamics of the fashion business of fashion articles.
  • Next, immerse yourself in current trends and pressing issues within the fashion world to carve out a unique and relevant angle for your research.
  • Availability of resources and existing literature is paramount. Ensure sufficient material and data are available to underpin your study with credible information.
  • Selecting a topic for a fast fashion argumentative essay that resonates with current discussions and contributes a fresh perspective or addresses market research in fashion is advantageous.
  • Striking the right balance between specificity and breadth is key; your topic should be focused enough to provide clear direction for your study, yet broad enough to encompass comprehensive exploration and analysis.

This approach guarantees a more manageable research process and enhances the potential for meaningful and engaging contributions to the field of fashion studies.

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List of Research Topics On Fashion

Dive into the fascinating world of fashion with these compelling research topics. Covering everything from the glitz of designer brands to the pressing issues of sustainability, each topic offers a unique perspective on the multifaceted fashion industry.

Fast Fashion Research Questions

  • Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion. Investigating the ecological footprint of rapid production cycles in the fashion industry.
  • Consumer Perception and Fast Fashion. Understanding how consumer attitudes towards sustainability affect fast fashion.
  • Economic Viability of Fast Fashion Models. Analyzing the long-term economic sustainability of the fast fashion business model.
  • Social Implications of Fast Fashion. Examining the social consequences, including labor practices, of fast fashion.
  • Innovative Solutions to Fast Fashion Problems. Exploring new technologies and business models to mitigate fast fashion issues.
  • Globalization and Fast Fashion. Assessing the impact of globalization on the spread and practices of fast fashion.
  • Fast Fashion and Waste Management. Investigating waste generation and management in the fast fashion cycle.
  • Consumer Behavior in Fast Fashion. Analyzing how consumer buying patterns contribute to fast fashion.
  • Marketing Strategies in Fast Fashion. Understanding the role of marketing in promoting fast fashion trends.
  • Ethical Challenges in Fast Fashion. Examining the ethical dilemmas posed by fast fashion.
  • Fast Fashion and Cultural Appropriation. Investigating instances and impacts of cultural appropriation in fast fashion.
  • The Role of Media in Fast Fashion. Exploring how the media influences the fast fashion industry and consumer choices.
  • Fast Fashion and Its Impact on Traditional Retail. Analyzing how fast fashion is affecting traditional retail models.
  • Sustainability Initiatives in Fast Fashion. Examining efforts by fast fashion brands to become more sustainable.
  • Future Trends in Fast Fashion. Predicting future developments and changes in the fast fashion industry.

Sustainable Fashion Topics To Write About

  • Sustainable Materials in Fashion. Exploring eco-friendly materials used in sustainable fashion.
  • The Lifecycle of Sustainable Fashion Products. Understanding the production, use, and disposal of sustainable fashion items.
  • Consumer Awareness of Sustainable Fashion. Assessing how consumer knowledge impacts sustainable fashion choices.
  • Challenges to Sustainable Fashion Manufacturing. Investigating barriers to adopting sustainable practices in fashion production.
  • Innovations in Sustainable Fashion Technology. Examining technological advancements in creating sustainable fashion.
  • Sustainable Fashion and Global Supply Chains. Analyzing the role of global supply chains sustainably.
  • Marketing of Sustainable Fashion Brands. Strategies for marketing sustainable fashion to a wider audience.
  • Economic Aspects of Sustainable Fashion. Understanding the economic implications and viability of sustainable fashion.
  • Policy and Regulation in Sustainable Fashion. Examining the role of policy in promoting sustainable fashion practices.
  • Social Responsibility in Sustainable Fashion. Exploring the social impact of sustainable fashion on communities and workers.
  • Sustainable Fashion and Consumer Behavior. Investigating how sustainable fashion influences consumer buying habits.
  • The Role of Designers in Sustainable Fashion. Examining how designers can drive sustainability in fashion.
  • Upcycling and Recycling in Fashion. Exploring the role of upcycling and recycling in sustainable fashion.
  • Sustainable Fashion and Cultural Shifts. Assessing how cultural changes are affecting sustainable fashion trends.
  • Case Studies of Successful Sustainable Fashion Brands. Analyzing successful examples of sustainable fashion brands.

Ethical Fashion Essay Topics

  • Defining Ethical Fashion Topics. Understanding what constitutes ethical practices in the fashion industry.
  • Transparency in Fashion Supply Chains. Examining the importance of transparency for ethical fashion.
  • Consumer Role in Promoting Ethical Fashion. Exploring how consumers can influence ethical practices in fashion.
  • Ethical Fashion and Labor Rights. Investigating the intersection of fashion production and labor rights.
  • The Impact of Ethical Fashion on the Environment. Assessing the environmental benefits of ethical fashion practices.
  • Challenges in Implementing Ethical Fashion. Understanding the obstacles to adopting ethical practices in fashion.
  • Ethical Fashion and Cultural Sensitivity. Examining the importance of cultural sensitivity in an ethical fashion.
  • The Business Case for Ethical Fashion. Analyzing the economic benefits of adopting ethical practices in fashion.
  • Ethical Fashion and Consumer Trust. Investigating how ethical practices influence consumer trust in brands.
  • Innovations in Ethical Fashion. Exploring new developments and practices in an ethical fashion.
  • Ethical Fashion and Globalization. Assessing the impact of globalization on ethical fashion practices.
  • Marketing Strategies for Ethical Fashion. Understanding how to market ethical fashion effectively.
  • The Role of Governments in Ethical Fashion. Examining the role of policy and regulation in promoting ethical fashion.
  • Ethical Fashion and Social Media Influence. Exploring the impact of social media on ethical fashion trends.
  • Case Studies of Ethical Fashion Initiatives. Analyzing successful examples of ethical fashion initiatives.

Topics about Fashion Designers

  • Influence of Iconic Fashion Designers. Exploring how legendary designers have shaped fashion trends.
  • Biographies of Renowned Fashion Designers. Investigating the life stories and career paths of famous designers.
  • Emerging Fashion Designers and Industry Impact. Examining the influence of emerging designers on the fashion industry.
  • Fashion Designers and Brand Identity. Analyzing how designers shape and define brand identities.
  • Collaborations between Fashion Designers and Brands. Exploring successful collaborations and their outcomes.
  • Fashion Designers and Cultural Influences. Investigating how cultural backgrounds influence designers’ work.
  • Sustainability Focus of Fashion Designers. Examining designers’ approaches to sustainable fashion.
  • Fashion Designers and Technology Integration. Analyzing how designers are incorporating technology into fashion.
  • Fashion Designers and Political Statements. Exploring how designers use fashion to make political statements.
  • Innovations by Fashion Designers. Investigating groundbreaking innovations introduced by fashion designers.
  • Fashion Designers and Celebrity Influence. Assessing the impact of celebrity endorsements on designers’ work.
  • Design Philosophy and Techniques of Fashion Designers. Examining the unique design philosophies and techniques of designers.
  • Fashion Designers and Global Trends. Analyzing how designers respond to and shape global fashion trends.
  • Fashion Designers and Ethical Practices. Investigating how designers are incorporating ethical practices into their work.
  • Fashion Designers’ Role in Fashion Education. Exploring the involvement of designers in fashion education and mentorship.

Fashion Brands 

  • History and Evolution of Major Fashion Brands. Tracing the development and growth of leading fashion brands.
  • Branding Strategies in Fashion. Analyzing effective branding strategies used by fashion companies.
  • Consumer Perception of Fashion Brands. Understanding how consumers view and interact with different fashion brands.
  • Luxury Fashion Brands and Market Positioning. Investigating the strategies of luxury brands in the fashion market.
  • Sustainability Initiatives of Fashion Brands. Examining how brands are incorporating sustainability into their operations.
  • Fashion Brands and Global Expansion. Analyzing how brands are expanding and adapting to global markets.
  • Collaborations between Fashion Brands and Designers. Exploring the impact of collaborative projects.
  • Fashion Brands and Technology Integration. Investigating how brands are utilizing technology in fashion design and retail.
  • Marketing and Advertising Strategies of Fashion Brands. Analyzing the marketing approaches of successful fashion brands.
  • Fashion Brands and Consumer Engagement. Understanding how brands engage with their customers.
  • Fashion Brands and Social Responsibility. Examining the social and ethical responsibilities of fashion brands.
  • Innovations in Fashion Branding. Exploring innovative branding techniques in the fashion industry.
  • Fashion Brands and Cultural Impact. Assessing the cultural influence of prominent fashion brands.
  • Challenges Facing Fashion Brands Today. Investigating current challenges and how brands are addressing them.
  • Case Studies of Successful Fashion Brand Revivals. Analyzing how struggling brands successfully reinvented themselves.

Business of Fashion

  • Globalization and Its Impact on Fashion Business. Examining how globalization has transformed the fashion industry.
  • Fashion Retailing Strategies. Analyzing effective retailing strategies in the fashion industry.
  • Fashion E-Commerce Trends and Challenges. Investigating the rise of online fashion retailing and associated challenges.
  • Business Models in the Fashion Industry . Exploring different business models and their effectiveness in fashion.
  • Marketing and Promotion in Fashion. Analyzing marketing techniques and promotional strategies in fashion.
  • Fashion Industry Supply Chain Management. Examining supply chain dynamics in the fashion industry.
  • Fashion Brand Management and Development. Investigating strategies for managing and developing fashion brands.
  • Consumer Behavior Analysis in Fashion. Understanding consumer purchasing patterns and preferences in fashion.
  • Fashion Business and Sustainability. Analyzing the integration of sustainable practices in fashion business operations.
  • Innovations in Fashion Business Models. Exploring innovative approaches to fashion business and retail.
  • Fashion Industry Economic Analysis. Examining the economic aspects and impacts of the fashion industry.
  • Fashion Business and Global Market Trends. Assessing global market trends and their influence on fashion businesses.
  • Fashion Startups and Entrepreneurship. Investigating the rise and challenges of fashion startups.
  • Fashion Business Ethics and Social Responsibility. Examining ethical considerations and social responsibilities in the fashion business.
  • Case Studies of Successful Fashion Business Strategies. Analyzing successful strategies implemented by fashion businesses.

History of Fashion Topics to Research

  • The Evolution of Fashion from Ancient Civilizations. Exploring fashion trends and their significance in ancient societies like Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
  • Medieval Fashion and Social Hierarchies. Analyzing how fashion in the medieval era reflected societal structures and class distinctions.
  • Renaissance Fashion and Artistic Influence. Investigating the influence of Renaissance art and culture on fashion trends of the era.
  • 17th Century Baroque Fashion. Examining the opulence and extravagance of Baroque fashion and its reflection on the socio-political climate.
  • 18th Century Rococo Style and Femininity. Discussing the Rococo style’s emphasis on ornamentation and its impact on the perception of femininity.
  • Fashion During the Industrial Revolution. Understanding how technological advancements in the 19th century transformed the fashion industry.
  • The Birth of Haute Couture in the 19th Century. Tracing the origins of haute couture and its founding designers like Charles Frederick Worth.
  • Fashion in the Victorian Era. Exploring the fashion trends and social norms that characterized the Victorian period.
  • The Roaring Twenties and Flapper Fashion. Delving into the revolutionary changes in women’s fashion during the 1920s.
  • Fashion During World War II. Investigating how wartime restrictions influenced fashion, introducing utility clothing and fabric rationing.
  • The Post-War Fashion Boom and the New Look. Analyzing the impact of Dior’s New Look in shaping post-WWII fashion.
  • Swinging Sixties and Youth Culture. Examining how 1960s fashion was influenced by and influenced youth culture and social movements.
  • Punk Fashion and Subculture in the 1970s. Exploring the emergence of punk fashion and its challenge to mainstream norms.
  • The Influence of Pop and Celebrity Culture on 1980s Fashion. Discuss how pop culture icons and music influenced 1980s fashion trends.
  • Fashion in the Digital Age. Understanding how the advent of the internet and digital media in the late 20th and early 21st centuries has transformed fashion consumption and trends.

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research essay topics about fashion

235 Fashion Essay Topics to Write About

Are you looking for unique fashion topics to discuss? StudyCorgi has prepared a list of ideas about fashion trends and problems. Feel free to use these engaging and controversial fashion topics for your research, speech, essay, or for article writing.

🏆 Best Essay Topics on Fashion

📚 catchy fashion essay topics, 👍 good fashion research topics & essay examples, 🌶️ hot fashion titles for essays, 🔥 top fashion topics to write about, 👜 trending essay topics about fashion, 🎓 most interesting fashion topics to research, 💡 unique fashion topics for presentation, 📌 easy fashion essay topics, ❓ fashion research questions, 👟 fast fashion research questions, 📝 fashion argumentative essay topics.

  • Fast Fashion and Its Impact on the Fashion Industry
  • Vinted Fashion Company Building Brand Awareness
  • Business Plan of Personal Fashion Market and Clothing
  • Customer Satisfaction in the Fashion Industry: H&M Case
  • Chloé Fashion House’s Business Model Analysis
  • Fashion Media Effects on Society
  • H&M, Zara, Benetton Firms Supplying Fast Fashion
  • JD Sports Fashion Plc’s Financial Analysis JD Sports Fashion Plc financial performance has been affected by COVID-19, hence altering its operations, however, the company did not record losses over the last three years.
  • Zara in the United Kingdom’s Retail Fashion Market This paper explores the strengths and weaknesses that Zara (UK) has, including its ability to exploit the available opportunities.
  • Fashion Design as a Major Fashion design has long become global and spans across a multitude of industries, including clothing, modeling, retailing, and advertising.
  • The Future of Fashion Industry Wearable technology, design for inclusivity, and digitalizing the value chain are transformed due to socio-economic and cultural impacts.
  • The Luxury Market and Fashion in Nigeria This paper provides an overview of the luxury market in Nigeria, with a focus on the fashion industry and Polo Luxury.
  • Paris as the Fashion Centre The French were the very first people to make a successful industry out of fashion. This was in the 17th century.
  • Popular Culture’s and Fashion Industry’s Influences The popular culture influences particularly the youth. This paper creates awareness for the audience concerning the effects of the manufacturers’ advertisements.
  • Child Labour in Fashion Industry The major reason why child labour thrived in the fashion industry is because children are paid less wages, a third of what adults are paid for the same or similar tasks.
  • Computer Technologies in Fashion Industry The advancement of the fashion industry and modern fashion patterns have consistently been reliant on technological inventions, generation, appropriation, and utilization.
  • The True Cost: Fast Fashion, Garment Workers, and Environment The True Cost is a documentary that shows the background of the fast-fashion world, where garment workers live in terrible conditions, facing poverty and a lack of safety.
  • The Impact of Fashion Marketing on Middle Eastern Culture Factors contributing to the growth of the fashion industry in Middle Eastern culture combine both the principles of fashion itself and consumerist behavior.
  • Anti-Fashion as Trends of the 1970s This paper concentrates on anti-fashion as one of the most remarkable fashion trends of the 1970s, including its most significant icons and the factors affecting its development.
  • Influencer Marketing Essay: Application in the Fashion Industry & Examples This paper explored the emerging field of IM and provided valuable information regarding the background and current research on best practices of using influencers.
  • Fashion Industry and Social Media The impact of networking services causes more competition, honesty, and creativity in professional clothes design and marketing.
  • Marie Antoinette’s Influence on Fashion When discussing fashion, the name, Marie Antoinette is mentioned frequently. Her contribution is so significant to fashion that some fashions are associated with her.
  • Fashion Industry Analysis: Interview With J. Jamshed In future Junaid Jamshed plans to expand its business internationally, and opening more opportunities for young entrepreneurs, providing training through workshops.
  • Digital Marketing in the Fashion Industry This essay presents how the fashion industry uses digital marketing technologies to attract new customers and increase customer engagement.
  • The Dandyism Style in Fashion This paper examines the style of dandyism, which appeared and spread in Europe in the 19th century, and then found its reflection in the fashion and culture of other countries.
  • Effective Public Relations in the Fashion Industry The influence of public relations on other aspects of marketing, as well as on the perception and attitude of potential buyers to the promoted product.
  • The Impact of Societal Change on Female Fashion and Identity in the 60’s and 70’s The paper argues alterations in how people perceive themselves and the world around them are inherently tied to a greater range of factors lying outside of the culture spectrum.
  • Fashion and Technology: Modern Fashion The consolidation of fashion and technology is becoming one of the most modern trends in the creative industry that need detailed research and identification of prospects.
  • The Interrelationship Between Fashion and Architecture The interrelationship between fashion and architecture plays an important role in advancing new technologies in both fields as well as other fields.
  • Fast Fashion and Its Impacts on Global Warming Fast fashion contributes to this change in weather conditions due to its improper disposal, leading to the release of emissions into the atmosphere, thus causing global warming.
  • The 1920s Fashion: Historical Overview It was said that the evolution of women in the workplace influenced a great deal on early 1920s fashion until the 1930s.
  • Feathers Fashion: The UAE Brand in Saudi Arabia In order for Feathers Fashion to open a branch in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, the company will need to take a look at the local market and its key features.
  • Sustainability in Fashion Overview Sustainable clothes remain to be mass-produced, affecting the future of our planet. The company should also focus more on designing for the longevity of the use.
  • ASOS Company: Business Plan, Fashion Sector ASOS is a global online fashion and beauty retailer and offers more than 50,000 different product lines for men, women and children.
  • John Galliano, a Fashion Designer Fashion design is the practical art concerned with clothing and daily life accessories created in the cultural and societal influences of a certain period.
  • Thai-Lay Fashion Company: Marketing Plan Assignment In this discussion, the topics analyzed are financial sections overview, break-even analysis, sales forecasting, and expense forecasting.
  • Inventory Control in Fashion Clothing Production The paper creates a periodic inventory control system for the Fine Garments Company that sells fashion clothing.
  • Millennials Influence on the Fashion Purchasing Behavior The research study attempts to reveal new details about the generation of Millennials and their effect on the purchasing behavior of the fashion industry in the UK.
  • Fashion Affecting People’s Health Lots of people put much focus on slim figures and fashion clothing, forgetting that there is some link between the fashions displayed and the health of the people.
  • Current Fashion Trends’ Analysis 2020-2021 The design of the Fall/Winter 2020-2021 collection can fit any individual character since there is a blend of different patterns.
  • How AI and Machine Learning Influence Marketing in the Fashion Industry The study aims to determine if the perception of AI in fashion is a novel concept and whether it holds enough appeal to impact the purchasing decisions of fashion consumers.
  • A Body Image in a Contemporary Fashion The modern fashion industry has long been criticized for establishing unhealthy standards for women’s bodies by producing clothing that looks well only on underweight individuals.
  • The United States Fashion Industry’s Overview The American fashion industry’s primary utility involves adorning oneself, making one’s identity, and protecting oneself from external elements.
  • The Fast Fashion and Related Ethical Problems This research paper discusses the ethical problems related to fast fashion and the clothing industry in general.
  • Alessandra Rich Fashion House’s Launch of Menswear The paper presents an overview of Alessandra Rich fashion house, including brand identity, a brief competitor analysis, and a target market.
  • Nigerian Luxury Fashion Stores in Dubai Nigerians love designs and fashion, which is seen in their involvement in the Dubai fashion trade market. The Nigerian fashion design industry is on the rise in the 21st century.
  • Fashion in Architecture: Museum of Architectural Fashion The project under consideration will fulfill the function of the combination of fashion and architecture reflecting all stages their development and gradation.
  • Fast Fashion Industries: Threats to Society Fast fashion industries pose various threats to society. However, poverty traps, limited opportunities for child development, and pollution are among the prominent ones.
  • Cinderella Syndrome’s Impact on Sustainable Fashion Cinderella syndrome promotes not only unsustainable fashion but the degradation of the soul as well, encouraging dysfunctional consumption and narcissism.
  • Fashion Brands Cooperation and Its Attractiveness The author discusses the topic of possible collaborations of fashion brands and concludes that the attractiveness of cooperation stems from the uniqueness of the final result.
  • Pangaia: An Eco-Friendly Fashion Brand Pangaea is an ethical fashion brand that employs the latest advancement in the textile industry to diminish the adverse impact on the environment.
  • Is Imitation the Sincerest Form of Fashion? Imitation as a form of fashion is not as sincere as many think. It has filled the market with knock off fashion accessories like handbags, shoes and clothes.
  • Supply Chain as a Crucial Component of Sustainability in the Fashion Industry The fashion industry has always been one of the most influential drivers of society. Designers of apparel dictated the rules, and millions of people worldwide obeyed them.
  • Young Female Customers’ Luxury Fashion Purchasing in the UK The research study presents an insight into the motives defining the purchasing and consumption of luxury fashion among young female customers in the UK.
  • The Influence of Euphoria on Fashion The show’s Euphoria costumes present a mix of older items with nostalgic undertones and more modern outfits, such as skinny jeans and knitted blouses.
  • Fashion Nova’s Labor Standards and Transparency Fashion Nova should recheck its outsourcing contracts to be certified by labor standards. Also, they should increase the company’s transparency in terms of financial activities.
  • Fashion Magazine Analysis. Race and Ethnicity Cosmopolitan’s target audience includes females aged between 18 and 35. At the same time, the general target audience that Vogue reaches is females aged from 20 to 40.
  • The Spanish Fashion Industry: Business Model Innovation The Spanish companies tend to move from the idea of fast fashion models to more sustainable innovative business models.
  • Fashion Sustainability for High-End and Low-Cost Brands The purpose of this paper is to evaluate sustainable fashion in order to compare and contrast the probability of the future for luxury and low-cost brands.
  • Fashion in the Clothes Industry The term “fashion” is heavily used in the clothing industry and it is sometimes taken to be synonymous with its trends.
  • Dressing Constructs Identity with Fashion Materials The history of fashion is interconnected with the history of humanity. Ever since ancient men and women started wearing furs to cover their bodies, the concept of fashion was born.
  • Digital Marketing in Fashion Industry The projections show that about 10,000 similar outlets are set to close their operations this year because of similar reasons.
  • Fashion Solving Irrational Anxieties in People Fashion’s primary function is to help people to solve their class-related anxieties that reflect one’s instinctual preoccupation with trying to win a dominant social status.
  • Small and Medium-Sized Fashion Retail Enterprises The current dissertation proposal offers to investigate several success factors for small and medium-sized enterprises in fashion retail business in the UK.
  • Dog Fashion as an Extension of Personal Style One of the ways in which pet dogs are treated well is by being clothed. This literature review proves that dog fashion is just an extension of a personal style.
  • Fashion in the USSR: Soviet Clothing Fashion in the USSR became a recognized part of the Soviet way of life. The clothing reflected the social processes of creating a unique fashion tradition.
  • Shifting Gender Politics in Fashion and Textiles As cultural changes are reflected in cinematography, so does the changing perception of gender influences movies.
  • The Competition of Personnel in the Fashion Industry The paper states that the competition of personnel in the fashion industry is very high. Many factors affect a company’s ability to attract employees.
  • Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness in Fashion Sustainability, which stands for eco-friendly and rational socio-economic development, has become critical, and hence needs incorporating into everyday life.
  • Overseas Sweatshops in the Fashion Industry This paper covers a brief history of the issue and reasons why fashion giants decided to move their production abroad.
  • What Ideas About Gender & Sexuality Are Communicated by Contemporary Fashion Images? The paper examines diverse ideas about gender and sexuality that are communicated by contemporary fashion images that are taking dominance in the media.
  • Yumi Company’s Fashion Marketing The aim of this paper is to analyze a consumer’s image of the Yumi fashion company and analyze the presence of the company on the market of women’s clothes.
  • Thai-Lay Fashion Company: Barriers to Communication This paper discusses barriers to communication in Thai-Lay Fashion, communication barriers at the organization level and complexity in organizational structure, information overload, technology.
  • Thai-Lay Fashion Ltd.: Leadership and Motivation A study with regard to how motivation can be improved in the Thai Lay Fashion Company has been conducted here.
  • The Unique Fashion Style: Changing Standards and Ideals Each woman tries to find her unique style in the world of fashion. Still, having completed a difficult journey in order to find the exclusive style, many women choose to follow well-known standards and images.
  • ASOS.com Company’s Success in Online Fashion Market The success of ASOS.com Company is a result of its online advertising strategy. The internet offers a lot of potentials based on consumer trends.
  • Sustainable Fashion Design Strategies: Product Strategy Concept A company’s product strategy is a plan for how it will create and introduce new products to the market. It encompasses decisions about what types of products to develop.
  • The Fashion Channel Competition Issue and Solution The Fashion Channel faces problems represented by the inability to compete with rivals due to the firm’s unwillingness to accept changes.
  • The United States Fashion Industry’s Future Performance The fashion industry’s primary utility involves adorning oneself, making one’s identity, and protecting oneself from external elements.
  • Computer Technologies in Fashion The advancement of the fashion industry and modern fashion patterns have consistently been reliant on technological inventions, generation, appropriation, and utilization.
  • How the Internet Transformed Design Fashion By using the Internet, people can shop online and avoid overcrowded shopping malls. It saves time, and people do not get tired while looking for a specific product.
  • Fashion and Interior Design: From the XX Century to Current Times Currently, the world of fashion and design is in search of new meanings, turning to past eras for inspiration, and eclectic styles, retro and neoclassical, are in fashion.
  • Fashion in the United States: Revision of History Revisions might represent the growth of a particular fashion house or a designer. It might show the formation of the fashion centers throughout time.
  • Digital Blackface: The Popular Fashion The Digital Blackface is a modern example of wearing the mask on the Internet. Imitating the behavior and culture of black people was a thing even in the 20th century.
  • Kaptivate Kulture is Preparing for Delightful Debut at Couture Fashion Week New York Kaptivate Kulture’s mission is to be a luxury brand that strives to empower cultural diversity worldwide by allowing people to express their individuality in our garments.
  • Effectivenes of Fashion Blogs Analysis One of my most favorite fashion blogs is Penny Pincher Fashion. I have started to follow Penny’s style insights because I enjoyed her approach to the industry.
  • Cardigan History. Fashion Industry Issues Cardware Company, a family business that the Cardigans run, has earned the reputation of a reliable sweater designer manufacturing for a wide range of customers.
  • Fashion Merchandising and Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Education There has been substantial research about the ability level, motivation, self-efficacy at schools specialising in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.
  • Fast Fashion: Segment of the Fashion Industry Fast fashion is a segment of the fashion industry that massively produces clothes from low-quality materials and uses cheap labor.
  • The Council of Fashion Designers of America The Council of Fashion Designers of America played a critical role in the development and the area of American fashion design and art culture along with fashion trading.
  • Child Labor in Fashion Industry Fashion industry and the idea to use child labor in sweatshops continue bothering many people but still, nothing is done to change the situation for the better.
  • Business Plan and All Aspects That Includes Successful Fashion Industry According to recorded research, the fashion industry keeps on evolving every decade, and it is unlikely that a particular trend will spread past one decade.
  • Michelle Obama Effect on the Fashion Industry The author analyzes an article by D. Yermack on the impact of Michelle Obama on the fashion industry and argues how she destabilized the balance of the stock and fashion markets.
  • Fashion Trends 2009: International Collections Trend report 2009 showed that this year will see unexpected extravagance in style of clothes and its mixture with accessories.
  • Headscarf as an Ingredient of Fashion and Cultural Traditions The meaning of the headscarf is described in this paper, the functions and purposes of its wearing, its social impacts in terms of religion and culture are outlined.
  • The Contemporary Fashion Collections of Ann Demeulemeester and Gucci Ann Demeulemeester and Gucci deserve their titles for being the best known designers. However, both designers have their own idea of style.
  • Thai-Lay Fashion Co. Ltd.: Financial Accounting Analysis The goal of working capital management is to manage the firm’s current assets and liability in such a way that a satisfactory level of working capital is maintained.
  • Thai Lay Fashion Co Ltd.: Managing a Business Enterprise The review of sixth week of learning about managing a business enterprise, dedicated to the financial aspects of running a business.
  • Thai-Lay Fashion Co., Ltd Company Strategy Thai-lay fashion Co. Ltd. is a garment manufacturing company in London. It is engaged in production of garments from 100% organically grown cotton.
  • Thai Lay Fashion Company: Business Plan Suitable business plans have to be formulated for managing the business successfully at each stage of the business growth cycle.
  • Thai-Lay Fashion Company Ltd.: Managing Resources The Thai-Lay Fashion company Ltd. is a well-managed company with more than twenty-seven years of experience in the garment export and manufacturing business.
  • The Thai Lay Fashion Company: Franchising The initial franchise fee for obtaining a license will help to bring in capital at a later stage which can be used to develop the business. This paper is a marketing plan for the franchise business plan.
  • Thai-Lay Fashion Company Ltd.’s Financial Management There are several methods that will help managers make capital investment decisions. These will be discussed here with reference to the Thai-Lay Fashion Company Ltd.
  • Thai-Lay Fashion Company’s Operations Management The paper reviews operations management in business with reference to the Thai-Lay Fashion Company Ltd., which is situated in Hong Kong.
  • Operations Management in Thai-Lay Fashion Company Ltd. Thai-Lay is a textile manufacturing company in Hong Kong with its markets situated mainly in Europe. The company produces a wide range of ready-made garments for adults and children of both sexes.
  • Accounting in Thai-Lay Fashion Company A comprehensive study of Thai-Lay Fashion Company Ltd. has been done here with reference to the accounting and management practices of the organization.
  • Thai-Lay Fashion Company’s Marketing Plan Thai-Lay Fashion Company needs to develop a modified marketing plan considering the financial and economic conditions in the environment.
  • Bonobos: Digital Economy in the Fashion Retail Sector This paper will discuss the organization’s digital initiatives and their success, and the financial effect of the online strategies the company has adopted.
  • Jack Wills in China: Fashion Consultancy Project The promotion of Jack Wills in the Chinese market may be fraught with specific difficulties due to the specifics of the local cultural, economic, and political environment.
  • Maintaining Ethical Standards in Fashion This paper explores the degree of responsibility of three major actors, consumers, fashion houses, and retailers, of maintaining ethical standards in the fashion industry.
  • Social Media Applications in the Fashion Sector Social media has resulted in marketing being easier and cheaper than traditional techniques, and fashion houses have gained to a large extent.
  • Carmina Campus Company’s Fashion and Society Carmina Campus was a pioneer in implementing fashion sustainability in their production process. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the company’s policy regarding society.
  • Fashion as Performance – The Ballets Russes Fashion and the performing and visual arts have always been intertwined for those with the financial resources to indulge in one or all three.
  • Body Image, Self-Esteem, and the Fashion Industry
  • Fashion and Business Cycles With Snobs and Bandwagoners in a Multi-Sector Growth Model
  • Industrial Revolution, Gender Distinction, and Fashion
  • Fashion Cultural Historical Studies Gender Masculinity and Femininity
  • “Diesel for Successful Living”: Branding Strategies for an Up-Market Line Extension in the Fashion Industry
  • Challenges Facing the Fashion Industry in Ghana
  • How Fashion and Appearance Are Central to the Construction of Social Identities
  • Does Men’s Fashion Reflect Changes in Male Gender Roles?
  • Fashioning the Future: Entrepreneuring in Africa’s Emerging Fashion Industry
  • Fashion, Gender Distinction, and the Industrial Revolution
  • Comparison of Elizabethan and Jacobin Fashion
  • How Did Women’s Fashion Create Changes in Society in Australia and the World Between 1901-1945
  • How Innovative Fashion Turns Into a Perspective Entrepreneurial Venture
  • General Information About Second World War Fashion and Social Trends
  • What Will Happen if the Fashion Industry Continues to Use Ultra-Thin Models?
  • How Subcultures Use Fashion as a Way of Embracing Their Differences
  • Fashion: Victorian Era and Higher-Class Women
  • How Fashion and the Social Role of Women Has Changed
  • Managing Demand and Supply Networks of the Chinese Fashion Apparel Industry Under the Complexity of the New Economy Transition
  • Consumer Buying and Decision-Making Processes in the Fashion Industry
  • How Did the Fashion Industry Show the Changing Position of Consumerism and Youth Culture in the 1960s
  • The Role of Western Fashion Effects on Islamic Fashion for Women Out-Wear
  • How Fashion Has Impacted Consumers Pursuing Habits
  • Fast Fashion Feedback and Imitation of Fashion Trends
  • Economic and Social Issues in the Fashion Industry
  • The Unrealistic Beauty Standards of the Fashion Industry
  • Fashion Industry, Anorexia and Orthorexia Among Young People, Models and Celebrities
  • How Luxury Fashion Brands Centralize Public Relations
  • Analyze for Zara’s Success in the Fashion Retailing Business
  • Relationship Between Gender Empowerment and Fashion
  • Understanding Agile Supply Chain Management in the Fashion Industry
  • Global Sourcing: Insights From the Global Clothing Industry – The Case of Zara, a Fast Fashion Retailer
  • Case Study Zara the Technology Giant of the Fashion World
  • Fashion Marketing and the Effects of Technology and Economics
  • Fashion: Logo and Online Personal Shopper
  • Status Consciousness and Its Effect on Men’s Fashion Consumption
  • New Fashion Styles and Trends Sets the Standards for the Rising Generation
  • How Are Fashion and Appearance Central to the Construction of Social Identities
  • Conformity-Based Behavior and the Dynamics of Price Competition: A New Rationale for Fashion Shifts
  • How Fashion and Appearance Are Central to the Construction of Social Identities?
  • Brand Competition, Peer Influence, and Purchase Intentions Towards Fashion Apparel in Mexico
  • How Government Can Support Street Art and Fashion in Hong Kong
  • Coco Chanel: Most Influential Women’s Fashion Designer
  • The Clothing Manufacturer and the Consumer Trends in the Fashion Industry
  • Fashion for Middle-Class Women in the Medieval Age
  • Great Britain’s Black Community and the Empowerment of Fashion
  • Entrepreneurship and Regional Development: Case of Fashion Industry Growth in South Africa
  • Comparing the Similarities, Differences, and Qualities Between Native American Clothing and American Fashion
  • The Fashion Trends and Beauty Tips for Teenage Girls
  • The Link Between Eating Disorders and the Fashion Industry
  • Fashion and the Long-Term Prospects of Relationship Marketing
  • The Substantive Approach for Sustainable Demandsupply Chain Management in Fashion Industry
  • Consider How National Identity and Culture Is Constructed Through Fashion
  • Fashion and Its Evolved From a Typical White Model to a Diverse Runway Show
  • Fashion Photography and the Effects of New Image Technology
  • Barbie Doll Fashion Versus Medieval Children’s Fashion
  • Overview of Fashion and Women’s Movements in the Past Century
  • Are Ethical Purchases and Fast Fashion Mutually Exclusive?
  • How Fashion Professionals Are Inspired by History and Culture
  • How Technology Can Affect Fashion in the Marketing of Armani Company
  • Fashion Trends and Evolution of Women’s Clothing Throughout History
  • Communicating Green Fashion Across Different Cultures and Geographical Regions
  • Virtual Organization for Supply Chain Integration: Two Cases in the Textile and Fashion Retailing Industry
  • Traveling Around the Fashion Trends of Women: 20th – 21st Century
  • Applying the Four Theoretical Perspective to the Problem of Fashion Case Studies
  • Fashion for Ideal People and How They Are Defined
  • How Elizabethan Fashion Has Influenced the Modern Day Fashion World
  • Dealing With Your Teenager and the Latest Fashion Trends?
  • Vertical Integration and Rapid Response in Fashion Apparel
  • Consumer Behavior and the Luxury Fashion Industry
  • What Fast Fashion Is and to Know Which Factor Influences Fast Fashion?
  • How Fashion Evolved Throughout the Centuries and Its Influence on Our Looks Today
  • Does Buy-Back Induce More Fashion Sub-Sourcing?
  • Does the Macroeconomy Predict U.K. Asset Returns in a Nonlinear Fashion?
  • When Did Fashion Start in History?
  • What Are Three Interesting History Facts About Fashion?
  • How Does Clothing Fashion Aid in the Social Construction of Gender?
  • How Are Fashion and Appearance Central to the Construction of Social Identities?
  • How Are People Involved in Fashion?
  • How Does Branding Influences Consumers’ Luxury Fashion Choices?
  • Who Is the Father of Fashion?
  • What Is a Theme in Fashion?
  • How Does Celebrity Fashion Affect Teen’s Self-Image?
  • Who Was the First Female Fashion Designer?
  • Where Was the First Fashion Week Held?
  • How Christian Principles Can Be Applied to Ethical Issues That Relate to Cost of Fashion?
  • What Are the Ten Main Sources of Inspiration in Fashion?
  • What Are the Four Main Fashion Weeks?
  • Who Invented Fashion Week?
  • How Does Social Media Affect the Fashion Industry?
  • How Does the Fashion Industry Market to Women as Consumers?
  • How Elizabethan Fashion Has Influenced the Modern-Day Fashion World?
  • What Causes Changes in Fashion?
  • How Many Types of Fashion Shows Are There?
  • What Is the Biggest Fashion Week?
  • How Fashion Professionals Are Inspired by History and Culture?
  • Why Is Paris Known for Fashion?
  • How Fashion Trends Can Make You Stand Out?
  • What Fast Fashion Is, and to Know Which Factor Influences Fast Fashion?
  • When Did Fashion Start in India?
  • What Makes Fashion Offensive?
  • What is the impact of fast fashion on consumer buying behavior?
  • What are the environmental effects of fast fashion?
  • How can 3D printing help make fast fashion more sustainable?
  • How do fast fashion marketing strategies affect consumers’ body image?
  • What are consumer attitudes toward the ethics and sustainability of fast fashion?
  • What are the psychological effects of fast fashion on customers?
  • How does fast fashion affect the local economies of developing countries?
  • How can fast fashion companies balance profitability and sustainability?
  • What is the contribution of fast fashion to the throwaway culture?
  • How do social media drive the demand for fast fashion?
  • The case against animal cruelty in fashion.
  • Fashion marketing should promote body positivity.
  • Fashion companies should respect and protect cultural traditions.
  • Is there a need for gender-neutral fashion?
  • Is it ethical to buy counterfeit luxury fashion goods?
  • Fast fashion vs. Slow fashion: which is more ethical and sustainable?
  • Inclusivity of luxury fashion: is it ever possible?
  • The fashion industry perpetuates consumerist culture.
  • Should fashion be recognized as art?
  • Does the fashion industry have an ageism problem?

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StudyCorgi. (2021, November 12). 235 Fashion Essay Topics to Write About. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/fashion-essay-topics/

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StudyCorgi . "235 Fashion Essay Topics to Write About." November 12, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/fashion-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2021. "235 Fashion Essay Topics to Write About." November 12, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/fashion-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on Fashion were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on January 8, 2024 .

Thesis Helpers

research essay topics about fashion

Find the best tips and advice to improve your writing. Or, have a top expert write your paper.

173 Creative Fashion Research Topics: Awesome List Of Ideas

fashion research topics

The 21st century has amplified fashion such that even a newborn knows about it. However, the challenge of finding unique fashion topics always baffles both college and university students. That is why some of them end up copying whatever they find online or guess whatever comes to mind.  

Do you want to save yourself all this unnecessary drama? Keep reading this exceptional guide.

Fashion Industry: Definition

Now, fashion refers to a form of expression at a given time, place, and culture. You may have heard of the latest smartphones, clothing, or even cars – well, that is part of fashion. It is not only limited to clothes and fine jewelry in the boutiques.

For something to be fashionable, it has to do with either new or dominant clothes, hairstyles, accessories, make-up, footwear, or lifestyle. A lot comes into play when it comes to fashion, and as such, it is always subject to change every time. Now that we have jogged your memory on the definition of fashion, let’s get into how to prepare and write a fashion-related thesis paper or art dissertation .

Getting Started With Your Fashion Research Paper

Before you engage in any undertaking, there is the planning process. That is what we want to cover in this section with regards to acing your fashion paper. Now, I know that thousands of websites guide me in writing a top-level research paper on fashion. However, ours is unique – we provide professional tips from our reliable writing service that you will never find anywhere else.

Stay with me as we start journeying through this together:

First, understand your research question on fashion: This is a critical step that will shape how you will answer the question. Break down the question into bits that will help you understand what your professor wanted from you. Second, dive into the research process: I know most lazy students would not want to hear about this step at all. However, it is also crucial in helping you determine the topic and content that will go into your fashion research paper. Select an appropriate topic: After looking at what others have done and identifying the gaps, pick a topic that best communicates your idea. Remember that the subject should be concise, catchy, and appealing to anyone at first sight. Proceed to write an engaging thesis statement about fashion: This is what drives the direction of your essay, and as such, it should be in-depth. A thesis statement on style should capture what you intend to talk about and set the objective for your paper. Draft informative topic sentences for your body paragraphs: Every topic sentence should marry with your thesis statement. A person reading your topic sentences should relate them to the question you posed in the thesis statement. The right topic sentences will give life to your dissertation on fashion in a fantastic way! Looking for supporting evidence: You should be able to back up your topic sentences with trustworthy examples and illustrations. These can either be statistics or case studies, depending on the fashion topic that you are handling. Find an exciting concluding remark: Never underestimate the power of the conclusion paragraph in any form of writing. It determines what the reader will take home after going through the long and tedious body paragraphs. Therefore, it should be as captivating as possible.

After tackling the preparation and writing part, I know you may be asking, ‘where can I find writing ideas for fashion research papers?’ Well, the answer is one scroll away, my friend:

  • Fashion magazines and books
  • News stories on fashion events
  • TV documentaries
  • Online fashion stores and blogs
  • This fantastic article (Did you think that I would leave it out?)

You are as ready as a horse prepared for the battle to crush any fashion assignment with all these. But for now, here are 173 of the most impressive fashion ideas for your inspiration.

Engaging Fashion Research Topics

  • What your fashion taste says about you and the psychological impact of fashion
  • How have women’s movements impacted today’s fashion?
  • What is the correlation between fashion and 20th-century women empowerment?
  • The brighter side of invisible branding in fashion
  • Tools used in fashion marketing
  • Understanding fashion cycles: From trendy to obsolescence
  • The impact of fashion in movies on the youth
  • The role of garments in prehistoric ages
  • The evolution of style from the 20th century
  • The role of class in promoting a culture
  • What influence does the military have on culture?
  • Understanding the fashion industry: A Multi-billion dollar industry
  • Fashion trends that were influenced by 1980s music.
  • The role of dressing in subculture identification
  • Fashion dressing in the golden age of Queen Elizabeth Era: What it meant ad how it defined social status.
  • Evaluate why women pay a close look at what they wear than men

In-Depth Fashion Topics For Students

  • What is the net profit and benefit of the fashion industry?
  • Fashion ideas that originated from the 80s and are still used in the modern society
  • The role of fashion in pushing for social agendas
  • Legalizing of Bhang: Is it just fashionable or a necessity?
  • Evaluate Retro fashion trends in the 21st century
  • Investigating the ethics of suing flesh and fur in high fashion
  • The science behind fashion trends
  • The Psychology of cross-dressing: What is fueling the massive cross-dressing in today’s society
  • Luxurious and Royal Fashion trends during the Cold War
  • Discuss how the media impacts what people wear
  • What is the relationship between art and high-end fashion
  • How is the LGBTQ community impacting the fashion industry today?
  • Icon case study: How music has influenced the successful running of Fenny Beauty
  • How significant is a celebrities influence on fashion trends: A case study of Beyoncé
  • Luxurious fashion companies and their impact on the general fashion trends
  • Investigating the influx of designer products in the fashion market: Have they come affordable, or is there a leak in the market?

Best Quality Fashion Topics To Discuss

  • The impact of fake luxurious products on the high-end fashion industry
  • Investigating working from home the new fashion lifestyle: What is the cost-benefit analysis of working from home
  • Examining The recent boom in the wig fashion industry
  • How big is the trending make-up industry ad what is its impact on the economy
  • How Celebrity events push fashion trends
  • How fashion translates the empowerment of the modern woman: A case study of Serena William
  • How masks evolved from protective gears to fashion statements and the danger in the prevailing Covid’19 pandemic
  • How fashion influences the psychology of its consumers
  • The role of style in music in influencing teen fashion taste: A case study of Taylor
  • Investigating the relationship between fashion and royalty during the Queen Elizabeth era.
  • Analysis of the development and growth of fashion: A case study of Australia
  • How Britney Spears pioneered the low rise jean fashion trend
  • Investigating the hair industry: Who are the leading suppliers of hair in the globe, and who are its consumers
  • How fashion can alter your look: How to look slimmer or curvier using fashion hacks.
  • Source of leather for your fashionable belt, shoes, and wallet
  • A study of the entry of trendy beard products into the hair industry

Excellent Fashion Topics To Write About Today

  • An analysis of sustainable and ethical fashion brands
  • The role of innovation and creativity in the running of the fashion industry
  • A complete guide for buying fashionable high-end textile materials
  • Understanding the concept of enclothed cognition: The impact your clothing choice has on your mental process
  • Smart Casual: The latest trendy office fashion
  • What is the role of fashion accessories in our dressing?
  • The fashion statement of a handbag in every woman’s life
  • Ten niches in a fashion that do not exist but should exist
  • A review of the book Queen of Fashion by Marie Antoinette: How has it influenced style as we know it today?
  • Investigating the impact of fashion trends in the running of a business
  • compare and contrast between the European and African fashion
  • Understanding denim as a fashion trend
  • How big is the Vlog mass industry, and what is its role in pushing fashion trends
  • How do age and gender affect what people wear?
  • Why you should consider the prevailing fashion trends before starting a business
  • Is Vlog a fashionable wave, or is it here to stay?
  • The role of Tik-Tok in creating fashion trends and propagating them
  • Understanding the Androgynous model: A case study of Willy Carter

Good Research Paper Topics-Fashion

  • How the online industry has changed fashion
  • Discuss the effects of various professions on what people wear
  • How successful was the rebranding of Abercrombie and Fintech in 2019
  • A study of the balance between style and functionality
  • How do Fashion High-Tea events influence people’s wardrobes?
  • Strategies to market luxurious fashion brands
  • How luxury fashion is branded and its importance
  • Discuss the effect of COVID-19 lockdowns on fashion
  • The role of style in celebrity branding
  • The rise of fashion in developing countries
  • The impact of trends on the psychology of the consumer
  • Analyzing the relationship between fashion and pop culture
  • The role of Jane Austen boos in defining fashion in the golden age
  • Style in the time of Jane Austen
  • How fashion affects the 21st-century movies and films
  • Understanding luxurious fashion advertisement
  • What are the challenges of the fashion industry?
  • How necessary is liquidity in the fashion industry

Quick Fashion Research Paper Topics

  • The role of photography in the marketing of fashion brands in today’s world
  • Marketing strategies of the fashion industry in the 80s
  • The role of digital print in today’s fashion marketing
  • The part of the color in fashionable dressing
  • Understanding fashion and feminist movements
  • Understanding fashion and Masculinity
  • How aesthetic is essential in fashion
  • Investigating colorism in fashion
  • The role of style in public relations
  • Investigating the role of class in politics
  • Did type exist in medieval times?
  • The importance of Red Carpet events in the fashion industry
  • Discuss the role of religion in what people wear
  • Factors that influence change in fashion trends
  • Global premium fashion brands and how they rose to the top
  • How fashion in the western world influences the rest of the globe
  • The relationship between style and symbolism
  • Investigating sexism in fashion advertisement campaigns

Best Fashion Prompts In 2023

  • The contribution of fashion to economic growth.
  • How racism is prevalent in fashion advertising
  • Traditional textile fashion designs and their reemergence in the 21st century
  • A study on the earliest American fashion
  • Effects of fashion on people’s self-esteem and self-worth
  • Understanding how fashion styles trend
  • The role of crossover fashion in comedy
  • Is crossover fashion the next big thing?
  • The mechanism of the fashion industry: How it works
  • Characterizing modern fashion dressing
  • The relationship between cancel culture and fashion
  • The role of culture in shaping social trends
  • Discuss the rising culture of fashion among the youth
  • Why it is essential to consider the style for a wedding ceremony
  • How the fashion industry has created employment
  • How different seasons of the year determine what people wear
  • The impact of covid-19 on our current lifestyle

Custom Fashion Discussion Topics

  • Did the pandemic have any impact on fashion trends?
  • Investigating the relationship between fashion, identity, and culture
  • What is the relationship between fashion and religion?
  • A list of celebrities considered fashion icons ad their contribution to fashion trends.
  • The relationship between plastic surgery and pushing fashion brand
  • Investigating the influence of fashion trends on the mental health of a community
  • The innovation of Nylon in the fashion industry
  • Investigating the decline of some fashionable attires. A case study of the tie
  • The concept of In cooperating fashion designs in school uniforms for expensive schools
  • Trade fairs in the fashion business
  • The role of women in the fashion industry
  • Challenges to expect as an entrepreneur in the fashion industry
  • Contrasting the use of men vs. women in marketing fashion designs
  • A guide on building a successful fashion business
  • The evolution of minimalism in fashion dressing
  • The necessary skills to learn before starting your fashion business
  • Top trendy fashion style by entrepreneurs
  • Relationship between liberalism and fashion
  • Understanding the influence of feminism on fashion

Top Fashion Marketing Writing Ideas

  • How are online stores promoting fashion in developed nations?
  • Emergent fashion trends following the pandemic
  • Impact of climate on fashion trends
  • Fashion trends for people with disabilities
  • A study of the baby clothing fashion industry
  • Understanding organic VS synthetic fashion trends in the market
  • Analyzing the direction of adults looking like children
  • A study in the origin of the motif
  • A study on the falling popularity of office wear in the workplace
  • How working at home has impacted the workplace office industry.
  • Understanding the decline in popularity of leather accessories
  • Investigating the sustainability of some fashion trends
  • Investigating the impact of fashion on the environment and its resources
  • The origin and evolution of beachwear
  • The understanding manner in the textile industry.
  • Where did waistcoats originate from in the US?
  • Checked Vs. plain fashion dressing
  • The trendy use of unconventional material for dressing: A case study of lady gaga

Top Class Fashion Design Topics

  • Who is the teenage fashion Icon?
  • How Audrey Hepburn revolutionized the fashion industry
  • Understanding the timeliness of fashion gowns from the 80s
  • How Laurel Bacall pushed the trend of silk blouses, pencil skirts, blazers, and pleated trousers
  • Understanding Tuxedo since the 60s
  • The popularity of chunky heels between 2019- 2021
  • Understanding the preference between sneakers and high heels
  • The role of fashion writers in pushing for fashion trends
  • The contribution of celebration to the fashion industry in the USA
  • Impact of ethnicity on fashion trends
  • Relationship between poverty and fashion
  • A comparative analysis of fashion trends in royal families across the globe
  • The influence of royal families on fashion trends
  • Costume culture a case study of Madonna
  • How ball gowns have evolved
  • Does the fashion industry have a bright future with the proliferation of the internet?
  • Investigating the social-cultural history of fashion to understand how it has evolved

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Popular Fashion Research Paper Topics: Ideas & Examples

Fashion Research Paper Topics

As a fashion technology or design student, you should know that your final semester research paper is your life's topmost priority, as it will impact your final scorecard.

However, when students are asked to conduct research on fashion, they fail to analyze the importance of the topic in question. If you share this mindset too, it will never be possible to write a quality fashion research paper.

This blog will share all the information like the best fashion research paper topics and tips for doing quality fashion research. Let's dig in.

The Importance of Research in the Fashion Industry

Fashion is not just about creating glamorous outfits. If you are in the fashion business, you need to have an idea of the needs and necessities of the target audience.

In the present day, besides need and necessity, there is another factor influencing people's fashion requirements: the way the social media influencers present themselves to the viewers and the things they preach. You also need to have an idea of the same. While social media will give you an idea, you will need proper data to work on for better results. And proper fashion research can help you do the same.

This is one of the main reasons for research in the fashion industry. Next is that when you are in the fashion business, you always need to analyze the competition because Fashion keeps evolving, and designs keep improving!

So, all the fashion designers need to be on the mark to bring in something new. Only this will keep their business going.

The research paper you prepare in your final semester gives you an idea of what you can do and what work already exists and helps you study your subject of interest better.

Now let’s move on to how to do perfect fashion research.

How to Craft a Flawless Fashion Research Paper?

Whether you already own a clothing company or are considering entering the fashion industry, conducting market research can help you optimize your marketing budget and increase your likelihood of success.

When conducting fashion market research, you can gather information from two types of sources to gain valuable insights into your target market and its various segments.

The fashion experts say that the best results come when you use both of the methods together.

  • Primary Research

Primary market research involves collecting original information directly from the source. Though it may take more time, this method provides highly relevant insights specific to your industry and clientele. It also allows you to have control over the data you gather and use in the future.

The sources that are appropriate for this type of research are –

Online survey purpose free tools, all forms of interviews (phone, in-person, or mail intercept), focus group discussions, field research, consumer research panels, etc.

  • Secondary Research

Secondary research involves collecting information from published sources that already exist. You don't have to gather this information yourself since it is already available. The next step is to organize and sort the secondary data for analysis. It's crucial to compare the secondary sources with their primary sources for a comprehensive analysis.

The best secondary sources are – previous research reports, fashion-based websites, authorized statistics, digital data, etc.

Choose whatever suits your criteria or mix both these techniques and prepare the most eminent fashion research paper of the class.

But how do you write a proper quality fashion research paper?

Writing about Fashion requires following a specific storytelling format, framework, and style.

Here is the process for writing the perfect fashion research paper.

How to Write Your Fashion Research Paper?

  • Define the topic

If you're starting from the beginning, it's important to focus on a specific area of expertise, also known as a "niche." This could be anything from discussing current teen fashion trends to sharing your opinions on fashion week shows. Alternatively, you may have a talent for mocking overly elaborate pictures.

To excel in class, it's important to express your personal preferences rather than conforming to the expectations of others. This is especially true in Fashion since everyone has their own unique taste.

  • Choose an interesting title

When selecting a title for your research paper, it's important to brainstorm ideas and seek input from friends and family. Take some time to reflect on the options before making a decision. If you plan to collaborate with a supervisor, consider discussing the title with them. Remember that the title should be both concise and memorable.

  • Add relevant photos

As opposed to typical field research papers, images are crucial when writing about Fashion. In this situation, you should include images of fashionable attire and looks in your report. These can be images of you wearing various outfits, images of individuals you know, friends, family, strangers, etc., who provided their consent for the images to be published. Research like this may also include images of celebrities, fashion show outfits you liked, etc.

  • Write grammatically correct content

Design researchers must understand how to edit and correct because spelling and punctuation errors always give the document a sloppy appearance. Acknowledge the importance of spelling and grammar in writing and work fast to develop these skills. Make sure your writing is error-free. If you want to work professionally, you'll need this ability, and readers need to know who they can trust from the content. Your professor will appreciate the error-free content as well.

Though there is no perfect recipe for a smooth, flawless research paper help , these tips will help you write one-of-a-kind solutions.

On that note, here are a few fashion research topics for your reference.

101 Fashion Research Topics

  • What function do cycles serve in the fashion industry?
  • How do fashion preferences develop?
  • Why do women have a more refined sense of Fashion than men?
  • Dress standards in contemporary democracies
  • What effects does technology have on the fashion industry?
  • Can a fashion trend last longer than a year in a specific location?
  • Are people who live in rural areas less concerned with Fashion than those who live in wealthy cities?
  • Politicians who have contributed to the growth of Fashion
  • Why is Jean Paul Gaultier frequently referred to as the fashion world's "enfant terrible"?
  • How much does globalization influence someone's style, and how does it differ from one country to the next?
  • Why do outfits from the 18th Century feel obsolete in today's society?
  • Fashion's Effect on Adolescents' Mental Health General Red Carpet Fashion Trends
  • Why is there currently such a strong dislike for Zara and Bershka?
  • What brand is most likely to be fake, and why?
  • Kim Kardashian's Influence on Fashion
  • Characteristics of Fashion as a Standard in Society
  • Top international brands: Gucci
  • gender and style
  • How do I create my own style?
  • Fashion during the heyday of Queen Elizabeth's reign: What it signified and how social rank was defined by it.
  • Analyze why women are more conscious of their appearance than men are.
  • Investigating the new-fangled lifestyle of working from home: How is working from home analyzed in terms of costs and benefits?
  • A case study of Serena William illustrates how dress reflects the modern woman's empowerment.
  • How much does music affect what people wear?
  • the populace wears the middle of the eighteenth Century and the fashions
  • The top six fashion eras in human history.
  • Essay on the History of Fashion: 1900 to the Present.
  • Monopolistic rivalry in the clothing sector.
  • Are fashion films from 2022 catalysts for the spread of trends?
  • What recent fashion movie can alter the perception of current trends?
  • Are fashion films primarily educational or only entertaining?
  • Westwood's punk scene, Rebels in the Realm of Fashion
  • The Legacy of Alexander McQueen What Happens to Fashion Firms When Their Proprietors Pass Away?
  • How did Valentino become one of the world's most recognizable brands?
  • The two most important fashion magazines are Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.
  • How to create a great brand from scratch: Experience of one of the top designers, Yves Saint Laurent.
  • Effects of Fashion Consumption on the Environment.
  • Fast Fashion Argumentative Essay: Arguments against It.
  • Australian and Parisian fashion trends.
  • The Impact of the war on the fashion industry.
  • How does it vary from nation to nation?
  • Which is more fashionable for a birthday party on a picnic day or a party at a club?
  • Does Fashion promote a positive body image, and if so, why?
  • The modern-day to the Middle Ages in terms of dress.
  • inclusion of LGBT individuals in contemporary fashion culture
  • Impact of Coco Chanel on Society in the 20th Century.
  • Body Image Representation in the Fashion Industry: The Slender and Obese.
  • Influencers in the fashion industry: How models and the fashion industry affect younger generations.
  • Indian native clothing.
  • Fashion with an African Cultural Identity.
  • An analysis of Oscar-Claude Monet's artwork in terms of Fashion and art.
  • The most recognizable patterns used in celebrity ensembles
  • How the designs of rich people's clothing and poor people's clothing differ
  • Does globalization have an impact on how clothing is made?
  • Women's clothing has evolved from the past to the present.
  • Does Fashion entail donning uncomfortable attire, and why is that inappropriate?
  • Should you wear something merely because it's fashionable because society says so?
  • Sari was created in what way?
  • using different materials for garments
  • The most beautiful fashion innovation is nylon.
  • vibrant street fashion trends
  • Look into the tie's deterioration.
  • Digital marketing techniques' Impact on the current state of Fashion
  • What Effect Does Celebrity Endorsement Have on Brand Attitude And Consumer Purchase Intentions?
  • Benefits And Risks Of Online Shopping's Unique Features.
  • After the coronavirus lockdown, shopping habits.
  • Shopping Fashion Both Online and Offline.
  • Comparison between online and in-store shopping.
  • Shopping at Walmart as opposed to neighborhood shops.
  • Customer Attitude's Effects on Online Shopping.
  • New paintings and photographs.
  • School dress codes are sexist towards women.
  • Dress Code Discrimination against Women.
  • The Value of Dress Codes for Various Situations.
  • Dress Code for the Success of Teachers.
  • Motives behind the dress code.
  • The connection between street style and subcultures.
  • Talk about the newest fashion trends.
  • Why did ancient Rome value fashion?
  • Examine the connections between ancient and contemporary Greek Fashion.
  • Between 1400 and 1500, European dress changed.
  • How does a nation's culture translate into its clothing?
  • Western Fashion's Influence on Indian Culture and Style
  • Why do certain worn-out garments resurface in style?
  • Why is alcohol a fashion trend now while it used to be unethical?
  • Why should comfort and simplicity be prioritized in Fashion over excessive makeup?
  • Using clothing to communicate
  • How did Paris and Milan become the most significant cities for Fashion?
  • masculinity and Male Fashion
  • Why are American and European dresses so different from Asian Fashion?
  • Present-day Social Influence on Fashion
  • Top international brands: Chanel
  • Kanye West's Influence on Fashion
  • Ads for clothing that are sexually explicit
  • An analysis of Oscar-Claude Monet's artwork in terms of Fashion and art.  

FAQs Searches By Students:

Q.1. what is fashion research.

The process of acquiring and examining data to get insights about the fashion industry, including its leading companies, your rivals, and, primarily, your target market.

Q.2. What to include in a fashion research paper?

  • Recognize how consumers feel about your brand or that of a rival.
  • Find new markets, client segments, and growth opportunities.
  • Recognize the preferences of your current clientele as your brand develops.
  • Gain knowledge about consumer spending on wants and needs for Fashion.

Q.3. How do I choose a topic for fashion research?

  • Fashion trends' development in the 20th and 21st centuries.
  • The effect of social media on marketing tactics in the fashion business.
  • Influencers and fashion bloggers' impact on consumer behavior.

Q.4. What is research in fashion design?

The design process enables the designer to start with an idea and carry it through to the finished product. They begin by developing a design brief and a client profile, which enables them to determine their goal and the target audience for their collection.

Q.5. What are the types of research in the Fashion industry?

Primary and secondary research methods are the two information-gathering techniques that make up fashion market research. Studying both primary and secondary sources of information can help you learn a lot about your target market and the diverse groups that make it up.

Q.6. What do fashion researchers do?

They gather information about the market in order to foresee trends and create successful marketing plans. Some businesses do employ in-house market research analysts, while the majority are paid by consulting firms and work on a per-client basis.

Q.7. What types of research are used in fashion forecasting?

Studying market conditions, taking note of people's lifestyles, investigating sales statistics, analyzing prominent designer collections, scouring fashion magazines, examining street trends, and other activities are all part of fashion forecasting.

Q.8. How to find future fashion trends?

Five concepts are used in trend prediction to create an overall trend per season:

  • Social movements or important events.
  • Social norms or the intended audience.

Q.9. How do fashion designers gather research?

Some designers begin with fabrics, spending hours poring over hangers, ambling around fabric stores, and conversing with vendors about new fabrics. Others delve deeper into topics they find fascinating, such as childhood memory, ethnic and cultural attire, or a museum visit.

Q.10. Why is research important in Fashion?

A thorough understanding of the market and the ability to foresee future trends are prerequisites for success as a designer. This is dependent on research, which is essential to all phases of the design process.

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Bella Phillips As a passionate blogger for Essay Help USA by #1 Writing Expert 50% Off.I am currently employed at a leading Business Law firm in White Plains. I am associated with Allessaywriter.com for several years and helping the Law students with their essays.

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116 Fast Fashion Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Fast fashion has become a major trend in the fashion industry over the past few decades, with brands like Zara, H&M, and Forever 21 leading the way. This trend is characterized by the rapid production of inexpensive clothing that follows the latest trends and is meant to be worn for a short period of time before being replaced by the next new thing. While fast fashion has its benefits, such as providing affordable and on-trend clothing to consumers, it also has many negative impacts on the environment, economy, and society.

If you're looking to write an essay on fast fashion, there are plenty of topics to choose from. Here are 116 fast fashion essay topic ideas and examples to help get you started:

  • The history of fast fashion
  • The impact of fast fashion on the environment
  • The role of social media in the rise of fast fashion
  • The ethics of fast fashion production
  • The psychology behind fast fashion shopping habits
  • The effects of fast fashion on garment workers
  • The rise of online fast fashion retailers
  • The impact of fast fashion on traditional fashion retailers
  • The connection between fast fashion and body image issues
  • The relationship between fast fashion and consumer culture
  • The influence of celebrities on fast fashion trends
  • The impact of fast fashion on the global economy
  • The rise of sustainable fashion as a response to fast fashion
  • The cultural appropriation in fast fashion
  • The impact of COVID-19 on the fast fashion industry
  • The future of fast fashion in a post-pandemic world
  • The role of influencers in promoting fast fashion brands
  • The impact of fast fashion on small businesses
  • The connection between fast fashion and fast food culture
  • The effects of fast fashion on mental health
  • The role of advertising in promoting fast fashion
  • The impact of fast fashion on local economies
  • The connection between fast fashion and climate change
  • The influence of fast fashion on fashion trends
  • The role of technology in the rise of fast fashion
  • The impact of fast fashion on the textile industry
  • The connection between fast fashion and social media influencers
  • The effects of fast fashion on waste and landfill
  • The relationship between fast fashion and consumerism
  • The impact of fast fashion on developing countries
  • The connection between fast fashion and globalization
  • The role of fast fashion in shaping cultural identity
  • The impact of fast fashion on the LGBTQ+ community
  • The effects of fast fashion on labor rights
  • The connection between fast fashion and body positivity
  • The influence of fast fashion on gender norms
  • The role of fast fashion in promoting diversity and inclusion
  • The impact of fast fashion on the fashion industry as a whole
  • The connection between fast fashion and social justice movements
  • The effects of fast fashion on the beauty industry
  • The relationship between fast fashion and self-expression
  • The influence of fast fashion on identity politics
  • The impact of fast fashion on traditional craftsmanship
  • The role of fast fashion in promoting sustainable practices
  • The connection between fast fashion and cultural appropriation
  • The effects of fast fashion on the luxury fashion industry
  • The relationship between fast fashion and the music industry
  • The influence of fast fashion on streetwear culture
  • The impact of fast fashion on the art world
  • The connection between fast fashion and activism
  • The effects of fast fashion on the second-hand market
  • The role of fast fashion in promoting consumerism
  • The impact of fast fashion on the beauty standards
  • The relationship between fast fashion and social media influencers
  • The influence of fast fashion on body image
  • The role of fast fashion in promoting sustainability
  • The effects of fast fashion on the economy
  • The relationship between fast fashion and social media
  • The influence of fast fashion on self-esteem
  • The impact of fast fashion on cultural appropriation
  • The effects of fast fashion on the environment
  • The relationship between fast fashion and labor rights
  • The influence of fast fashion on body positivity
  • The impact of fast fashion on consumer behavior
  • The connection between fast fashion and technology
  • The role of fast fashion in promoting diversity
  • The effects of fast fashion on traditional fashion retailers
  • The relationship between fast fashion and social justice
  • The influence of fast fashion on the music industry
  • The impact of fast

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research essay topics about fashion

The Most Intriguing Fashion Research Topics and Ideas for 2023

A re you searching for inspiration to write your fashion research paper in 2023? This article can assist you with that! It examines the most interesting and up-to-date fashion research topics, providing ideas on what to cover. Additionally, we’ll discuss some of the hottest themes this year and why studying fashion is essential in modern society.

Top Fashion Research Ideas for 2023

The fashion industry is always evolving, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of fascinating research topics to dive into. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, here are some hot topics for the upcoming year.

  • How sustainable fashion impacts our planet. With sustainability on everyone’s mind these days, exploring eco-friendly practices in fashion could be a game changer. The study will explore various aspects, such as using organic materials and waste reduction techniques. Also, you can research their impact on protecting our environment while discovering ways to promote them further.
  • The role of technology in the fashion industry. The fashion industry is being transformed by technology. 3D printing, AI-driven design and other advancements are changing how we create and buy clothes. Explore these innovations to see their pros and cons. For instance, you may delve into tech’s role in optimizing supply chains or predicting trends based on consumer info.
  • The influence of social media on fashion trends. Social media, such as Instagram and TikTok, has revolutionized fashion. It connects designers with influencers and consumers in unprecedented ways. The effects of social media on shaping the industry are worth investigating – how it impacts clothing styles, beauty trends, and body image perceptions both positively or negatively.
  • Gender-neutral fashion. As society becomes more diverse and inclusive, gender-neutral fashion has become a hot topic. The exploration of how designers create clothing that isn’t specific to one sex or another is worthy of attention. You may research whether this approach will increase sales while promoting equality in the industry.

Don’t fret if you feel daunted by the idea of delving into these captivating research topics. There’s a solution: purchase research papers online and get ahead of the game. With fashion expanding at an astonishing pace, availing yourself of well-crafted academic work can give you valuable perspectives while also saving time.

research essay topics about fashion

Why Fashion is So Important?

Fashion is much more than just clothing and accessories. It’s an art form, a means of expression, and a reflection of our culture and society. Fashion impacts all aspects of life; it can influence how we feel about ourselves or others, create social status distinctions or help us fit in with specific groups. Fashion also plays a vital role in the economy as well. The fashion industry generated over 2 trillion dollars globally in revenue last year alone. This includes everything from retail sales to textile production-related services such as marketing campaigns for various brands worldwide. Finally, fashion has become vital when discussing topics involving identity politics, like race or gender. They have been essential components of modern-day cultural attitudes. Fashion can help break down stereotypes and promote acceptance. It allows us to express ourselves in unique ways while also promoting inclusivity.

Tips on How to Choose Interesting Research Paper Topics about Fashion

While crafting an interesting research paper about fashion can be a daunting task, selecting the right topic is half the battle. Here are some tips to help you choose your subject wisely.

  • Identify Your Interests. To choose a compelling and pertinent research paper topic about fashion, it’s crucial to identify your interests within the industry. Consider which aspects of fashion intrigue you the most, such as sustainability, technology or cultural influences. By choosing subject matter that genuinely fascinates you will enjoy the research process more and be motivated throughout.
  • Stay Current with Trends. To find unique and relevant ideas, try staying current with fashion trends. This can include attending industry events or following top-rated designers online via social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram.
  • Consider the Scope. When picking a topic for your paper, it’s important to consider the scope of your research. A broad topic may be too difficult to cover comprehensively, while a narrow one can limit available resources and information. Aim for balance; choose a subject matter that allows you to delve into it but is still manageable.
  • Assess Available Resources. Certainly, you need to evaluate the resources available to you. Ensure that your chosen topic has sufficient literature and data accessible for research purposes. Consider consulting with librarians or experts in the field if needed.
  • Consult Your Instructor or Advisor. Don’t forget to consult with your instructor or advisor when choosing a topic. They may have suggestions based on their expertise and can help guide you towards relevant resources for research.

These tips will help you select a fascinating and doable research topic about fashion. With the right ideas, thorough research and quality writing, your paper can be thought-provoking while providing new perspectives on the industry’s trends for 2023!

In 2023, there are plenty of intriguing research topics within the fashion industry to explore. It’s crucial to stay up-to-date on current trends when selecting a topic that intrigues you. Along with your personal interests, examining available resources and researching diligently is necessary for finding an achievable focus. Getting advice from experts can also help open new perspectives about this ever-evolving field.

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Fashion Essay Topics

The fashion industry is a complex and dynamic environment which has played a major influence in culture and society. The world of women’s fashion has been particularly diverse and has made statements towards the hierarchies within communities in the reflection of the fashion trends. Fashion has been used through culture and society to declare power relations and make statements on personal relationships and hierarchical structures. Fashion has become an increasingly popular topic for essays due to its dynamic nature and the trends it sets. While it can be a challenge when identifying a topic for your essay, it is important that you choose a topic which is both engaging and interesting for you. You must be able to critically engage with the literature and to present an interesting paper. Below you will find some key questions which are appropriate to the fashion industry.

General Fashion Topics

Fashion and culture, fashion branding, iconography, fashion, health and wellbeing, fashion and social media, history of fashion.

Fashion has become an important factor in academic research as well as being an influencer in trends within society and culture. It is a dynamic industry which changes daily and is an extremely creative realm. While there is great debate over trends, it is important to understand the creativity and historical influences which have impacted on the fashion world. How fashion advances and creativity can be understood is important to the industry and is reflected in everyday modern life. Some examples can be seen below:

  • What is the role of women in fashion in the current era?
  • What influence does fashion have on everyday life?
  • Is fashion a tool for social equalisation?
  • What have been the effects of Covid-19 on the fashion industry?
  • What role does digital media play in the fashion industry?
  • Has fashion been representative of political and cultural ideals? Cite examples.
  • What has been the impact of magazines and fashion blogs on fashion trends in society?

Fashion, culture, and society go hand in hand. Fashion continues to influence society, identifying features from society and culture which seem important on any particular day. Culture plays an integral role in the development of many areas of fashion, particularly when comparing fashion from different countries. This can be seen in the creative processes involved in the fashion world. Below are some examples:

  • What role does fashion play in reshaping western cultural values? Use in reference to any western country.
  • How have fashion trends evolved in eastern cultures?
  • What impact does ethnic clothing have on fashion trends in the UK?
  • What are the major influences on fashion?
  • Is there a relationship between fashion, culture, and identity?

It is important that fashion can be branded appropriately and can sometimes be extremely challenging to do so. It is necessary to understand that branding in fashion is not just about a brand sign, but it should consist of important ‘just right’ style statements which can be aligned with consumer expectations. The promotion of the brand can create customer loyalty and can use various mediums for promotion. In the identification of the brand, the customer is searching for themselves in their chose of brand. Listed below are some examples of fashion branding topics:

  • Examining fashion design in the UK, what does fashion branding hope to achieve?
  • Does fashion branding motivate the customer? Examine with reference to the UK market.
  • What are the challenges fashion branding faces for the eco-friendly consumer?
  • Can social media be used to brand fashion?
  • Is there a difference between fashion branding and emotional branding?

Consumers look to celebrities to identify the current trends in the fashion industry. Celebrity has been a major influence on the fashion industry, and it is important to understand the factors behind this. Iconography provides an insight into celebrity culture and how it can be understood. Celebrity culture has evolved to promote fashion trends. Example topics can be seen below:

  • Identify one key icon of the twentieth century and explain why they were so significant to fashion.
  • What are the factors which make a style icon?
  • How has fashion influenced the younger generation with respect to the movies and celebrity lives they observe?
  • How important was Alexander McQueen to the fashion industry?
  • How has fashion journalism impacted on the fashion industry?
  • How has celebrity culture impacted on the fashion industry, with a focus on female fashion consumption?
  • How much influence does celebrity endorsement have on the purchase intentions of the consumer?

It is imperative to understand the impact that fashion can have on health and wellbeing due to the significant influence it has on culture and society. Fashion has an important influence on culture and society and many consumers want to be seen in the current trends. However, there is also the negative side to the influence which fashion can have on an individual and how they view themselves. The aesthetic image is an important part of fashion and has had a significant impact on the promotion and shaping of body image.

  • What effect does fashion have on how the media portrays body dysmorphia?
  • How has gender been represented in fashion in the last 50 years?
  • Analyse the negative effects fashion has on the attitudes and behaviour of people.
  • How do fashion choices affect the self-perception of the individual?

Social media has become an important influencer for the fashion world, through the marketing of brands to the influencers who promote the brands. Within culture and society, social media has become the go to place for fashion tips and trends. Below are some examples of fashion and social media topics.

  • Can social media provide a window into another world?
  • How important is social media to the branding and marketing of fashion?
  • Can social media provide positive influences for fashion trends and the individual?

The history of fashion is necessary to understand the evolution of the industry and the significance of the individuals who have helped to shape it. From traditional to modern fashion, it is necessary to understand the role that fashion has had on society. The role of the evolution of fashion is a necessity for study in order to identify the key periods for fashion. Here are some examples:

  • Discuss the evolution of style with reference to the British Royal Family.
  • What are the major fashion trends of the 21st century?
  • Did Audrey Hepburn bring about a fashion revolution?
  • Discuss and evaluate two periods of fashion and identify the differences in the two periods.

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For and Against Essay Topics

59 Fashion Design Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best fashion design topic ideas & essay examples, 🥇 most interesting fashion design topics to write about, 📌 simple & easy fashion design essay titles.

  • Fashion Clothing Designs: The Golden Mean Ratio The concept of the golden ratio has achieved uniqueness and becomes a fascinating exercise in mathematics because the ratio appears in several elements and creations, such as the human body and face.
  • Fashion Design and Famous Designers His character narrative is about the blend of the past and the present as he tries to make his collections more relevant. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
  • Paris Fashion Design: Christian Dior Brand It was the brand that made women return to the concept of femininity in the middle of the twentieth century. In the 1970, the brand evolved to adjust to the changes in the society.
  • Analysis of Simone Rocha Fashion Designs The designs are inclusive and relate to women’s outer beauty as they bring out a sense of femininity in terms of skin tones, freckles, and skin lines.
  • How the Internet Has Transformed Design & Fashion? Lastly and more importantly, the advent of internet has seen to it that there is increased reliability bas well as convenience in online shopping for fashion and design.
  • Fashion Forecasting and Trends There are a lot of spring tendencies that are widely awaited; however, the designers are most thrilled about the new bottom silhouette.
  • Legal Context of Fashion and Design: Trade Dress This is one of the strategies that can often be adopted by designers to defend their rights in court. This is one of the points that can be made.
  • The Fashion Show: Famous Designers Feathers were very much in at the latest shows and they certainly add to the movement. There were many very lovely creations and the idea of creating the animal look was more successful than fur.
  • The Influences of Fashion Designers Fashion design is a field that entails a lot of activities ranging from creation of designs to the marketing of the finished fashion products.
  • Coco Chanel: Life, Fashion, Designs, Perfume & Facts The places and people that came into Chanel’s life and helped her take the turn of life that brought her the success she achieved include; the magazine “Time 100: The most important people of the […]
  • Haute Couture: A Fashion Design Only for the Privileged Haute couture and high fashion is a flight of fancy of the best designers around the world. One of the most prestigious events in the world of fashion is the week of high fashion in […]
  • Eco-Friendly Design in Contemporary Fashion In this case, fibers are plants that need to be treated during processing; designing and they too require the usage of herbicides, fertilizers, and other chemicals that are hazardous to the environment at large.
  • Apparel’s Role in History: Fashion Exhibition and Impact of Historical Events on Design The proposed exhibit will be concentrated on the counterculture fashion and the role of patches in the counterculture. While in the 1960s denim jeans were of simpler fashion and had embroidery and patches as the […]
  • Coco Chanel: Profile and Fashion Design In 1910 she was successful in establishing her first millinery shop in Paris from the assistance of her former two boyfriends, a military officer and an industrialist which she branded as Chanel Modes. She launched […]
  • Online Shopping Impact on the Fashion & Design Industry In this report, the aim will be to determine the impact of online shopping on the fashion and design industry. The increased profitability of this industry means that the individual firms have the capacity to […]
  • Fundamentals of Fashion and Design Through this strategy, the firm will be in a position to design and develop fashion products that align with the customers’ needs and expectations.
  • Fashion Designer Jeremy Scott The collection is inspired by the theme of monsters and the unknown future. He is capable of creating new forms and exploiting the most striking concepts.
  • Designer Clothing Market in the UK Fashion Retail Industry The fashion industry first started in England after which it slowly spread to the rest of the world.”In the UK and in the United States, the fashion industry has been one of the largest employers”.
  • Fashion Designers: Coco Chanel’s Artistic Process This quote is relevant to this essay because it indicates that the experience of clients and their needs guide the work of a fashion artists. This is one of the details that can be identified.
  • Spinoff Dynamics and the Spatial Formation of the Fashion Design Industry, 1858-2005
  • Fashion Design Education and Sustainability: Towards an Equilibrium Between Craftsmanship?
  • Aesthetic Aspects of the Consumption of Fashion Design: The Conceptual and Empirical Challenge
  • Art Seen From Outside: Non-artistic Legitimation Within the Field of Fashion Design
  • From Early Virtual Garment Simulation to Interactive Fashion Design
  • British Fashion Design: Rag Trade or Image Industry?
  • Modern Fashion Design Development Using Morphological Characteristics of Hanbok
  • Developing Skills of Fashion Design by Augmented Reality Technology in Higher Education
  • Review on Development and Application of 3D-Printing Technology in Textile and Fashion Design
  • The Glass Runway: How Gender and Sexuality Shape the Spotlight in Fashion Design?
  • The Role of Technology Towards a New Bacterial-Cellulose-Based Material for Fashion Design
  • Approaching Fashion Design Trend Applications Using Text Mining and Semantic Network Analysis
  • Crafting an Antidote to Fast Fashion: The Case of Toronto’s Independent Fashion Design Sector
  • Toward AI Fashion Design: An Attribute-GAN Model for Clothing Match
  • Closing the Loop: Intentional Fashion Design Defined by Recycling Technologies
  • Fashion Variations: Students’ Approaches to Learning in Fashion Design
  • Factors Driving Fashion Design Industry: Key Success Factors of Thai Designers’ Brands
  • The Piracy and Paradox: Innovation and Intellectual Property in Fashion Design
  • The Language of Fashion Design: Principles Every Fashion Designer Should Know
  • Development of an Intelligent Data-Driven System to Recommend Personalized Fashion Design Solutions
  • When East Meet West: The Oriental Influence on Fashion Design Nowadays
  • Interactive Multimedia-Based Animation: A Study of Effectiveness on Fashion Design Technology Learning
  • Firm Entry and Institutional Lock-In: Global Fashion Design Industry
  • Fashion in the Globalized World and the Role of Virtual Networks in Intrinsic Fashion Design
  • The Use of VR for Collaborative Exploration and Enhancing Creativity in Fashion Design Education
  • Based on the Perspective of Sustainability, the Characteristics of Upcycled Fashion Design
  • Application of Interactive Genetic Algorithm to Fashion Design
  • Fashion Design as a Means to Recognize and Build Communities-In-Place
  • Standard vs. Upcycled Fashion Design and Production
  • Integrating Sustainable Strategies in the Fashion Design Process
  • The reDesign Canvas: Fashion Design as a Tool for Sustainability
  • The Management of Sustainable Fashion Design Strategies
  • Postmodernism and the Avant-Garde: Stylistic Change in Fashion Design
  • Social and Cultural Features of Fashion Design in Milan
  • Tools for Sustainable Fashion Design: An Analysis of Their Fitness for Purpose
  • Towards a Future Pedagogy: The Evolution of Fashion Design Education
  • Kimono History and Contemporary Fashion Design Influence
  • The Fashion Design and Style of Young Adults and Teenagers in the US During the 1950s
  • Sustainable Practices and Transformable Fashion Design
  • Zero-Waste Fashion Design: The Intersection of Cloth, Fashion Design, and Pattern Cutting
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research essay topics about fashion

267 Hottest Fashion Topics to Write About in 2024

In today’s world, fashion has become one of the most significant aspects of our lives. It influences everything from clothing and furniture to language and etiquette. It propels the economy, shapes people’s personal tastes, defines individuals and communities, and satisfies all possible desires and needs.

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

In 2023, the global apparel market revenue equaled 1.74 trillion dollars.

In this article, Custom-Writing.org experts will present 267 unique fashion topics, discussion ideas, and fast fashion questions worth investigating. We will also help you figure out what the structure of an essay on fashion may look like.

Sounds interesting? Let’s get started!

  • 🔝 Top 12 Fashion Topics
  • ✍️ Essay Topics
  • 👒 Research Topics
  • ❓ Fast Fashion Questions
  • 👜 Article Topics
  • 🗣️ Topics to Discuss
  • 💡 Essay Prompts
  • ✅ Writing Guide

🔗 References

🔝 top 12 fashion topics to write about.

  • Goth fashion: origin and history
  • Fashion industry and marketing
  • Anti-fashion trends of the 2000s
  • The impact of fashion on nature
  • The rise of new fashion brands
  • The disadvantages of fast fashion
  • The use of child labor in fashion
  • Fashion as a way to express oneself
  • Key principles of eco-friendly fashion trends
  • Why do teenagers want to be fashionable?
  • What are the benefits of sustainable fashion?
  • The role of fashion influencers in setting trends

✍️ Fashion Topics for Essays

Fashion argumentative essay topics.

  • Fashion is a lifestyle
  • Freedom from stereotypes as a feature of unisex clothes
  • Aesthetics of Y2K as the height of futuristic fashion
  • Sportswear can be a staple in a man’s wardrobe
  • Wearing ethnic headdresses is cultural appropriation
  • How fashion photography revolutionized the art form
  • Influencers are new agents in the fashion industry
  • Fashion psychology is a necessary field of science
  • Reasons for Parisian style’s enduring appeal
  • What is Athleisure, and why is it popular?
  • Modern clothing is less concerned with the body type
  • Liberating effects of mixing business and casual clothes
  • Why is the classic fashion style timeless?
  • Minimalist style is an alternative to consumerism
  • Sportswear is an empowering choice for girls
  • Clothing styles : from avant-garde to classic, from grunge to glamour
  • Radically changing one’s style of clothing can be a healing experience
  • Opting for thrift-store clothing is beneficial for the environment
  • From classic to outrageous: what makes a fabulous Red Carpet look
  • Dress code is the key element of the corporate culture
  • How fashion serves as the armor to survive the reality of everyday life
  • AI-generated designs are the future of fashion
  • Office clothes for the heatwave: new solutions within the dress code
  • Fashion shows as activism platforms
  • What’s the purpose of motivational prints?
  • The psychology of vibrant prints
  • Is vegetable-tanned leather superior to artificial leather?
  • Wearing leather pants is not for everyone
  • Role of appearance and fashion in shaping social identities
  • Explore the connection between men’s fashion and changing gender roles
  • Relationship between fashion and consumerism in the 1960s culture
  • We must stop the practice of whitewashing POC fashion models
  • Can a face mask be fashionable?
  • Marketing practices for male jewelry need to be changed
  • Are skinny sunnies useless?
  • National identity is constructed through fashion
  • Does male fashion need more variety?
  • Fighting for environmental justice with fashion
  • The best version of yourself: can sportswear inspire you to work out ?
  • Expert thoughts are more important than amateur fashion criticism
  • Assess the impact of women’s fashion on society in 1901-1945
  • The role of appearance in consumers’ fashion habits
  • What impact does social media have on the fashion industry?
  • Can a fashion trend last longer than a year?
  • Construction of body types through definitions of “ ideal “
  • Examine masculinity and femininity in fashion through a historical lens
  • Fashion is political: power dynamics and global exchange
  • Vivienne Westwood’s fashion activism and its lasting influence
  • Stay warm, stay beautiful: benefits of eco-fur coats
  • Optical illusions in clothes: tacky or not?
  • How did the BLM movement influence fashion?
  • Relationship between fashion trends and body image
  • The ethics of miniskirts
  • Health benefits of linen clothes

To write an argumentative essay about fashion, you’ll need to research a topic by gathering and assessing data and establishing a coherent viewpoint on the subject. Feel free to use our topics for inspiration! 

Informative Fashion Topics to Write About

  • Representation of gender roles in fashion during the Industrial Revolution
  • Branding strategies for the luxury fashion line extensions
  • Challenges faced by the fashion industry in Ghana
  • Entrepreneurship opportunities in Africa’s burgeoning fashion sector
  • Gender distinctions in fashion during the Industrial Revolution
  • Compare Elizabethan and Jacobian fashion styles
  • How to transform fashion innovation into entrepreneurial ventures
  • Fashion trends and social movements during the Second World War
  • Harmful results of the fashion industry’s reliance on ultra-thin models
  • Using fashion to embrace differences within subcultures across the world
  • Victorian Era fashion for upper-class women
  • Evolution of women’s fashion and social roles over the 20 th century
  • Consumer decision-making processes in the fashion industry
  • Influence of Western fashion on Islamic outwear
  • Economic and social issues facing the fashion industry
  • Implementing sustainable practices in the fashion industry’s supply chain management
  • Diversification of the fashion industry and runway shows
  • Effects of AI technology on fashion photography
  • How to travel safely with expensive jewelry
  • Combining several prints the right way
  • Compare Barbie doll outfits with traditional children’s fashion
  • Hats off: how to wear a bucket hat in autumn
  • Women’s fashion and social movements in the past century
  • How to care for white sneakers in winter
  • Compatibility of ethical fashion purchases
  • Ways to wear high heels without harm to feet and veins
  • Fashion professionals’ inspiration from history and culture
  • Harder, faster, stronger: the most comfortable cross-fit shoes
  • Where to find trendy socks and what to combine them with?
  • Role of technology in fashion marketing : Armani case study
  • Evolution of women’s clothing throughout history
  • Women’s fashion trends between 20th and 21st centuries
  • Not a penny more: how to resist impulsive purchases
  • Influence of the Elizabethan era on modern fashion
  • How do dressing norms vary across the world ?
  • Strategies for creating teenage fashion trends
  • Evolution of fashion and its appearance throughout history
  • Role of fashion in the social construction of gender
  • The connection between style and the construction of social identities
  • People’s engagement with fashion as consumers and designers
  • Influence of branding on consumer luxury choices
  • Who can be called the “father of fashion”?
  • Impact of celebrity fashion on teenagers’ self-image
  • Madeleine Chéruit: one of the first woman designers
  • The location of the first Fashion Week event and its significance

An informative essay on fashion can focus on trends, practices, textiles, brands, and even the history of fashion. Our topics will definitely help you write an excellent paper. 

👒 Fashion Research Topics

  • Dressing standards in contemporary democracies
  • Impact of buy-back on fashion sub-sourcing
  • How much does music affect what people wear?
  • Suggest ways of communicating the concept of green fashion across different cultures
  • How to manage the supply networks of the Chinese fashion apparel industry
  • Explain how to apply theoretical perspectives to fashion case studies
  • Vertical integration in the fashion apparel industry
  • The impact of AI technology on fashion design and production
  • Research the influence of brand and quality on clothing price
  • Why is pale skin the standard for beauty ?
  • Contrast rural and urban approaches to fashion
  • Todd Fields’ Tar and its influence on menswear trends
  • The cultural and social influences on fashion trends
  • How much does globalization influence style?
  • The psychological effects of color in fashion
  • Does today’s fashion promote a positive body image ?
  • How have ballgowns changed over the years?
  • The role of storytelling in modern branding and design
  • The idea behind school uniforms and their design
  • Analyze the phenomenon of nostalgia in contemporary art and fashion
  • The influence of cultural identity on fashion design
  • Is formal attire dwindling in popularity in offices?
  • Sustainable fashion : is it succeeding in making a change?
  • Write a chronological study of the development of above-knee-length skirts
  • Does globalization have an impact on garment design ?
  • Is it immoral to wear uncomfortable clothing?
  • Social media “hauls” in fashion marketing
  • Evaluate the use alternate and sustainable materials in the fashion industry
  • How contemporary social issues are reflected in fashion design
  • The influence of celebrities on international fashion trends
  • How does gender identity influence fashion choices?
  • The role of fashion and design in ancient societies
  • The development of the American fashion industry
  • How fashion trends of the 2020s embraced femininity
  • The role of body positivity in fashion design
  • How does fashion affect political discourse ?
  • Explain how to read luxury fashion advertisements
  • How Western fashion influences the rest of the world
  • Evaluate the effect of street style on high fashion trends
  • Education in fashion entrepreneurship
  • Role of social media influencers in shaping consumer behavior
  • The intersection of art and fashion in contemporary design
  • The evolution of costume design in film and theater
  • What’s the role of diversity and inclusivity in fashion?
  • The future of fashion retail in the digital age
  • The use of virtual reality in the fashion industry
  • Best ways of storing suede clothes and accessories
  • How does body positivity impact fashion marketing ?

Fashion has always been at the forefront of innovation, from the creation of machines for sewing to the rise of e-commerce. Fashion technology is evolving at a greater rate than ever before. Our research topics will help you look into the most exciting aspects of the fashion industry. 

Just in 1 hour! We will write you a plagiarism-free paper in hardly more than 1 hour

❓ Fast Fashion Research Questions

  • Can fast fashion purchases be ethical?
  • How does fast fashion relate to economic cycles ?
  • How do fast fashion brands copy runway designs?
  • What factors led to the emergence of fast fashion?
  • What tactics do fast fashion brands use for promotion ?
  • Why does fast fashion contribute so much to landfills ?
  • Do fast fashion brands do anything to minimize their negative impact?
  • How can we question the ethics of fast fashion brands ?
  • What revealing information do models provide regarding fast fashion?
  • What influences the formation of new trends in the fast fashion industry ?
  • What are the biggest mistakes of fast fashion companies and their consequences?
  • What’s the importance of public coverage in the fast fashion industry?
  • What are the leading supply chain management strategies in fast fashion?
  • What characterizes consumer behavior in the fast fashion sector?
  • How do the production and transportation of fast fashion garments contribute to CO2 levels?

The price of clothing has gone down by 8.5% since 1992.

  • How are fast fashion factory workers systematically mistreated?
  • Shein fast fashion brand : what’s the price of its success?
  • Why is disposable fashion popular among low-income customers?
  • Why we’re buying more clothes than ever but wearing them less?
  • What are the most effective ways of boycotting fast fashion brands?
  • How can you determine which brands are using greenwashing ?
  • What can be done about transparency issues among fashion brands ?
  • Why is the fashion industry the world’s second-largest polluter?
  • How do fast fashion practices contribute to climate change?
  • What are the implications of physical and sexual abuse among H&M workers?

Fast fashion refers to the massive production of inexpensive garments. This approach makes clothes more affordable but has severe ethical and environmental implications. You can explore them in your paper with the help of our research questions about fast fashion.

👜 Fashion Article Topics to Write About

  • The role of public opinion in choosing clothes
  • Do fashion brand newsletters affect sales?
  • The influence of Instagram on the fashion industry
  • How to create lookbooks for brands
  • Tacky is the new stylish: why are Y2K fashion choices back in style?
  • Eco trend: three great brands will give your jeans a second life
  • Warm and fluffy fleece: what it is and how to wear it
  • The fashion blogging sphere and its subdivisions
  • Evaluate the impact of politics on fashion
  • Review the principles of news coverage of prestigious fashion shows
  • How bloggers can promote daring fashion designs
  • The evolution of fashion blogging over the past ten years
  • Latest critical events in the fashion media space
  • The enduring appeal of fashion magazines
  • What affects the share of television news in fashion shows?
  • The impact of activism on fashion trends
  • How can we bring revolutionary ideas to sustainable fashion ?
  • The effect of influencer promotion on emerging brands
  • What are the required qualifications for a fashion news reporter?
  • Tips and tricks for beginner fashion photographers
  • Ways of creating trends by ignoring specific rules in fashion
  • Fashion blogging as a way of self-expression
  • International relations in fashion companies
  • Clothing as a way to express political views
  • Opportunities to create a trendy blog space
  • How to accumulate knowledge about fashion
  • The difference between Grunge and Biker styles
  • How to overcome a crisis in personal style
  • Methods of collecting information for a feature story about fashion
  • How online blogging is replacing printed fashion publications
  • Best ways to make fashion photography more inclusive
  • The rise of Barbiecore: femininity and nostalgia
  • Cycles in fashion and future trends
  • Opportunities for networking with fashion brands
  • Personal style as a factor in self-realization
  • Assess the prevalence of fake reviews in the fashion industry
  • Old trends returning: is it the essence of fashion?

The fashion industry is a vast spectrum that includes countless sub-fields and trends. The popularity of articles and blog posts on fashion is on the rise. Write one yourself with the help of our topics!

🗣️ Fashion Topics to Discuss

  • The legacy of Elsa Schiaparelli
  • What makes a good brand logo ?
  • The history of the Oxford shoes
  • Reflection of feminist trends in clothing
  • Zara: brand’s features and history
  • The impact of French fashion on global trends
  • Implementation of modern technologies in fashion using 3D printers
  • How fashion designers’ personalities are reflected in their designs
  • Individual styles of Giorgio Armani and Versace: comparative aspect
  • Contemporary trends in established fashion brands: Chanel case study
  • The problem of the inconsistency of new fashion trends
  • Features of fashion design during the coronavirus pandemic
  • Military style as the romanticization of war
  • Elements of Classic Hollywood’s clothing and makeup
  • The individual style in the fashion of Ilaria Urbinati
  • Explore the aspects of harmony between clothes and accessories
  • Features and the instrumentation of theatrical costumes
  • Compare the characteristics of fashion trends in France
  • How Native Americans’ national dress contributed to fashion
  • How fashion brands choose their muses and ambassadors
  • Features of mass production in garment manufacturing
  • Jewelry design as an essential component of modern fashion
  • What are the characteristics of a collaboration between hairdressers and stylists?
  • Features of popularization of plus size clothing in America
  • The main trends in Asian fashion: China and Japan
  • Evaluate the importance of marketing research for clothing stores
  • Advantages of the mass market in developing countries
  • The origin of second-hands in Eastern Europe
  • Modern trends of men’s suits for business meetings
  • Design of sports uniforms at the 2022 World Cup
  • Differences in casual style in different states of America
  • Advantages of boat shoes and moccasins: comparative aspect
  • Stereotypes and benefits of sustainable fashion
  • Research market monopolization of eyewear styles by Ray-Ban
  • The problem of mindlessly following the latest trends
  • Inclusive trends in the underwear design
  • The impact of subcultures on modern fashion
  • How pop culture influences fashion
  • Features of ethical fashion in Australia
  • The transition from sophistication to comfort in fashion
  • The no-bra movement as part of the feminist concept
  • Elements of mask fashion during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Gender-neutral clothing as a symbol of the gender revolution
  • Fashion as a character in Quentin Tarantino’s movies

Fashion reflects people’s thoughts, identities, and cultures. It can influence and shape lives because of its close connection to all things surrounding us. That is why there are still a lot of controversial discussion topics . If you’re looking for good fashion topics to talk about, feel free to pick any of the ideas above.

💡 Fashion Essay Prompts

Fast fashion essay prompt.

Fast fashion refers to clothing designs that travel swiftly from the runway to stores to capitalize on trends. The collections are frequently inspired by styles seen during Fashion Week or worn by celebrities. Fast fashion allows mainstream consumers to get the hottest new look or the next great thing at a reasonable cost, but it also has its drawbacks.

Can’t find good fast fashion topics? Get inspired with the following questions:

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  • What does the term “fast fashion” mean? In your essay, you can explain the definition of the term and explore its history.
  • Who are the fast fashion leaders in the market? Here, you can analyze the current mass-market clothing companies, such as Zara , H&M, and others. What strategies do they use? What makes them popular?
  • What are the benefits of fast fashion? Fast fashion contributes to the economy, lets low-income individuals wear stylish clothes, and leads to the overall democratization of fashionable clothing. You can discuss some of these points in your paper.
  • What are the drawbacks of fast fashion? Although it has many benefits, fast fashion is seen as a primarily negative phenomenon. It promotes consumerism , contributes to pollution, and exploits underpaid workers.
  • How does fast fashion pollute the environment? One of the main disadvantages of fast fashion is the pollution it causes. It contributes to greenhouse emissions and pollutes the oceans through the use of harmful chemicals.

Fashion and Identity Essay Prompts

Fashion is important because it contributes to the formation of people’s identities. It creates a sense of belonging to a specific group through what we wear. How we utilize fashion also helps us express our personalities.

Since fashion is an especially relevant topic for students, it can be a great college essay topic. Here are some ideas you can discuss:

  • Your opinion on modern trends . Here, you can discuss the trends you like or dislike and the reasons for that.
  • Connection with peers through style. You can analyze how clothing style reflects one’s personality and tastes and if it helps bond with others.
  • Fashion as a way to reflect social status . In your essay, you can explore how fashion and clothing choices can create an illusion of a higher social status and class.
  • Fashionable ways to reflect your authentic self. Here, you may focus on how clothing style can also serve as a tool for self-expression and be a crucial element for creating the right impression.
  • Fashion methods to boost confidence. Analyze how wearing proper clothes can also make one more confident.

Sustainable Fashion Essay Prompt 

Few industries brag about their commitment to sustainability more than the fashion industry. Items ranging from swimwear to wedding dresses are advertised as carbon-positive, organic, or vegan. Sadly, the fashion industry’s experimentations over the last 25 years have failed to reduce its environmental impact. Here are the themes you can focus on in your essay:

  • The importance of sustainable fashion. Start by discussing the fashion industry’s influence on the environment and climate change . Then, turn your attention to the new safe models of the fashion business.
  • The contribution of eco-friendly fashion brands . Analyze approaches of brands willing to make sustainable fashion affordable. How will they aid in decreasing environmental damage and providing new bio-based textiles in manufacturing?

List of environmental problems caused by the fashion inductry.

Prompt for an Essay on Fashion and Style

Style and fashion play a major role in reflecting modern society’s values, norms, and cultural trends. This makes them excellent topics for essays. Your paper on fashion and style may raise the following questions: 

  • How do changes in fashion reflect transformations in broader social and economic structures?  For this topic, you should explore fashion history to analyze the correlation between fashion trends and social situations.
  • How did the mainstreaming of streetwear affect its role as a subcultural style?  Fashion has always played an essential role in subcultures. Streetwear is particularly important for numerous subcultures, from hip-hop to the skate scene. What does the popularization of streetwear and its elements mean for their unique identity?
  • How has the rise of digital platforms impacted our relationship with fashion and style? In your essay, you can discuss how social networks help quickly spread new trends. What are the pros and cons of this phenomenon?
  • Can fashion be truly inclusive and accepting, or are attempts of representation simply performative?  You may focus on a particular brand’s strategy or cover the issue in general.
  • How can consumers make better aesthetic choices when making fashion purchases ? Here, you can suggest your ideas for keeping up with the trends without compromising one’s personal style.

✅ Fashion Essay Writing Tips

Need some assistance with structuring your fashion essay? Check out our handy guide with helpful advice! We’ve also included examples you can use for inspiration.

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

Fashion Essay Introduction

To write a great introduction for your paper on fashion, do the following: 

  • Write a hook . Introduce your topic in a catchy opening sentence to make your reader invested in your essay. It can be an interesting fact, a quotation, or an intriguing question. Fashion and sociology may seem like they have nothing in common, but are they really so different? 
  • Give some background . Provide enough information to familiarize the reader with the topic. Throughout history, fashion has impacted society and reflected its cultural and economic changes. Additionally, this impact has evolved to be recognized psychologically, with people identifying mentally and emotionally with fashion to interpret visual information. 
  • Explain unknown words . You may be using terms that are essential to understanding the essay but are unfamiliar to your readers. Make sure to define them as early as possible. Basque is an extension below the waistline of a fitted bodice or jacket. 
  • Find interesting information for your introduction. For example, you can look up a piece of statistics demonstrating the scope of the issue you intend to address.  The U.S. fashion market is estimated to be worth $343.70 billion. 

Thesis Statement about Fashion

There are 3 key characteristics of a good thesis statement:

  • Providing a clear and concise claim that needs to be clarified and supported by additional discussion. 
  • Demonstrating your main idea and arguments. 
  • Showing your understanding of challenges and conflicts. 

Here’s what it can look like:

Despite all the fierce advertising and promotion, it is our own likes, dislikes, and emotions that impact what we wear.

You can also check out our free thesis statement generator . It will help make your essay even better!

Fashion Essay: Main Body

A good body paragraph has a clear structure with 3 key elements: 

  • A topic sentence is the opening statement of a paragraph that expresses its key idea. 
  • Supporting evidence bolsters your core idea after the topic sentence. 
  • Concluding sentence s can express an opinion, forecast events, or serve as a transition . 

Fashion encourages us to unleash our creativity. Combining different pieces of textiles and jewelry allows anyone to stay fashionable and dress creatively. All of these things have the potential to foster our ingenuity and creativity. Also, fashion provides us with experiences to evaluate our innovative selves.

Fashion Essay Conclusion

The conclusion should summarize your essay’s main ideas. To write it, take the following steps: 

  • Reflect on the topic of your paper in the restated thesis .
  • Inform the reader of how your supporting evidence helped strengthen your main claim. 
  • Give a few final ideas regarding the significance of your topic. 
  • Avoid introducing any new information.
  • Summarize all the essential points. 

Check out what a conclusion may look like:

Whether we like to admit it or not, fashion significantly impacts most people’s lives. It aids in reflecting a country’s culture, expressing ourselves, or inspiring creativity. That is precisely why we should not judge the fashion industry but rather embrace it as a part of everyday life.

We hope our 269 unique fashion topics will inspire you to write a great paper! We’ll be happy if you leave a comment below or share this page with your friends you may need inspiration.

Further reading:

  • 220 Pop Culture Topics for an A+ Essay
  • 208 Interesting History Essay Topics and Events to Write about
  • 260 Expository Essay Topics for School & College
  • A List of 185 Interesting Cultural Topics to Write About
  • Fashion Trends: University of Washington
  • Applications of Technology in Fashion Trend Forecasting: University of Southern California
  • Fast Fashion Getting Faster: a Look at the Unethical Labor Practices Sustaining a Growing Industry: The George Washington University
  • Why Fashion Needs to Be More Sustainable: Columbia University
  • Fast Fashion Quick to Cause Environmental Havoc: The University of Queensland
  • Fast Fashion: Changes in the Fashion Industry: Michigan State University
  • The Impact of Fast Fashion on the Environment: Princeton University
  • Barebones of Fashion: Rochester Institute of Technology
  • Fast Fashion: How It Affects Laborers and the Environment: Boise State University
  • Does the Current Embrace of 1950s-Influenced Fashion Reflect Broader Cultural Trends?: Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Zara’s Secret for Fast Fashion: Harvard Business School
  • History of Fashion 1900 – 1970: Victoria and Albert Museum
  • The View from the Front Row: a History of the Fashion Show – Photo Essay: The Guardian
  • How Fashions Have Changed Since the 1920s: The People History
  • The Real Environmental Impact of the Fashion Industry: Bloomberg
  • Fast Fashion: How Clothes Are Linked to Climate Change: BBC
  • The environmental costs of fast fashion: United Nations Environment Programme
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International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research

  • Open access
  • Published: 22 November 2014

Dress, body and self: research in the social psychology of dress

  • Kim Johnson 1 ,
  • Sharron J Lennon 2 &
  • Nancy Rudd 3  

Fashion and Textiles volume  1 , Article number:  20 ( 2014 ) Cite this article

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The purpose of this research was to provide a critical review of key research areas within the social psychology of dress. The review addresses published research in two broad areas: (1) dress as a stimulus and its influence on (a) attributions by others, attributions about self, and on one's behavior and (2) relationships between dress, the body, and the self. We identify theoretical approaches used in conducting research in these areas, provide an abbreviated background of research in these areas highlighting key findings, and identify future research directions and possibilities. The subject matter presented features developing topics within the social psychology of dress and is useful for undergraduate students who want an overview of the content area. It is also useful for graduate students (1) who want to learn about the major scholars in these key areas of inquiry who have moved the field forward, or (2) who are looking for ideas for their own thesis or dissertation research. Finally, information in this paper is useful for professors who research or teach the social psychology of dress.

Introduction

A few social scientists in the 19 th Century studied dress as related to culture, individuals, and social groups, but it was not until the middle of the 20 th Century that home economists began to pursue a scholarly interest in social science aspects of dress (Roach-Higgins 1993 ). Dress is defined as “an assemblage of modifications of the body and/or supplements to the body” (Roach-Higgins & Eicher 1992 , p. 1). Body modifications include cosmetic use, suntanning, piercing, tattooing, dieting, exercising, and cosmetic surgery among others. Body supplements include, but are not limited to, accessories, clothing, hearing aids, and glasses. By the 1950s social science theories from economics, psychology, social psychology, and sociology were being used to study dress and human behavior (Rudd 1991 , p. 24).

A range of topics might be included under the phrase social psychology of dress but we use it to refer to research that attempts to answer questions concerned with how an individual’s dress-related beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, feelings, and behaviors are shaped by others and one’s self. The social psychology of dress is concerned with how an individual’s dress affects the behavior of self as well as the behavior of others toward the self (Johnson & Lennon 2014 ).

Among several topics that could be included in a critical review of research addressing the social psychology of dress, we focused our work on a review of published research in two broad areas: (1) dress as a stimulus and its influence on (a) attributions by others, attributions about self, and on one’s own behavior and (2) relationships between dress, the body, and the self. Our goal was to identify theoretical approaches used in conducting research in these areas, provide an abbreviated background of research in these areas highlighting key findings, and to identify future research directions and possibilities. The content presented features developing topics within the social psychology of dress and is useful for undergraduate students who want an overview of the content area. It is also useful for graduate students (1) who want to learn about the major scholars in these key areas of inquiry who have moved the field forward, or (2) who are looking for ideas for their own thesis or dissertation research. Finally, information in this paper is useful for professors who research or teach the social psychology of dress.

Body supplements as stimulus variables

In studying the social psychology of dress, researchers have often focused on dress as a stimulus variable; for example, the effects of dress on impression formation, attributions, and social perception (see Lennon & Davis 1989 ) or the effects of dress on behaviors (see Johnson et al. 2008 ). The context within which dress is perceived (Damhorst 1984-85 ) as well as characteristics of perceivers of clothed individuals (Burns & Lennon 1993 ) also has a profound effect on what is perceived about others. In the remainder of this section we focus on three research streams that center on dress (i.e., body supplements) as stimuli.

Provocative dress as stimuli

In the 1980s researchers were interested in women’s provocative (revealing, sexy) dress and the extent to which men and women attributed the same meaning to it. For example, both Edmonds and Cahoon ( 1986 ) and Cahoon and Edmonds ( 1987 ) found ratings of women who wore provocative dress were more negative than ratings of women who wore non-provocative dress. No specific theory was identified by these authors as guiding their research. Overall, when wearing provocative dress a model was rated more sexually appealing, more attractive, less faithful in marriage, more likely to engage in sexual teasing, more likely to use sex for personal gain, more likely to be sexually experienced, and more likely to be raped than when wearing conservative dress. Cahoon and Edmonds found that men and women made similar judgments, although men’s were more extreme than women’s. Abbey et al. ( 1987 ) studied whether women’s sexual intent and interest as conveyed by revealing dress was misinterpreted by men. The authors developed two dress conditions: revealing (slit skirt, low cut blouse, high heeled shoes) and non-revealing (skirt without a slit, blouse buttoned to neck, boots). Participants rated the stimulus person on a series of adjective traits. As compared to when wearing the non-revealing clothing, when wearing the revealing clothing the stimulus person was rated significantly more flirtatious, sexy, seductive, promiscuous, sophisticated, assertive, and less sincere and considerate. This research was not guided by theory.

Taking this research another step forward, in the 1990s dress researchers began to investigate how women’s provocative (revealing, sexy) dress was implicated in attributions of responsibility for their own sexual assaults (Lewis & Johnson 1989 ; Workman & Freeburg 1999 ; Workman & Orr 1996 ) and sexual harassment (Johnson & Workman 1992 , 1994 ; Workman & Johnson 1991 ). These researchers tended to use attribution theories (McLeod, 2010 ) to guide their research. Their results showed that provocative, skimpy, see-through, or short items of dress, as well as use of heavy makeup (body modification), were cues used to assign responsibility to women for their sexual assaults and experiences of sexual harassment. For example, Johnson and Workman ( 1992 ) studied likelihood of sexual harassment as a function of women’s provocative dress. A model was photographed wearing a dark suit jacket, above-the-knee skirt, a low-cut blouse, dark hose, and high heels (provocative condition) or wearing a dark suit jacket, below-the-knee skirt, high-cut blouse, neutral hose, and moderate heels (non-provocative condition). As compared to when wearing non-provocative dress, when wearing provocative dress the model was rated as significantly more likely to provoke sexual harassment and to be sexually harassed.

Recently, researchers have resurrected the topic of provocative (revealing, sexy) dress. However, their interest is in determining the extent to which women and girls are depicted in provocative dress in the media (in magazines, in online retail stores) and the potential consequences of those depictions, such as objectification. These researchers have often used objectification theory to guide their research. According to objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts 1997 ) women living in sexually saturated cultures are looked at, evaluated, and potentially objectified and treated as objects valued for their use by others. Objectification theory focuses on sexual objectification as a function of objectifying gaze, which is experienced in actual social encounters, media depictions of social encounters, and media depictions that focus on bodies and body parts. The theory explains that objectifying gaze evokes an objectified state of consciousness which influences self-perceptions. This objectified state of consciousness has consequences such as habitual body and appearance monitoring and requires cognitive effort that can result in difficulty with task performance (Szymanski et al. 2011 ). In such an environment, women may perceive their bodies from a third-person perspective, treating themselves as objects to be looked at and evaluated.

Self-objectification occurs when people perceive and describe their bodies as a function of appearance instead of accomplishments (Harrison & Fredrickson 2003 ). Experimental research shows that self-objectification in women can be induced by revealing clothing manipulations such as asking women to try on and evaluate the fit of a swimsuit as compared to a bulky sweater (Fredrickson et al. 1998 ).

To examine changes in sexualizing (provocative) characteristics with which girls are portrayed in the media, researchers have content analyzed girls’ clothing in two magazines (Graff et al. 2013 ). Clothing was coded as having sexualizing characteristics (e.g., tightness, bare midriffs, high-heeled shoes) and childlike characteristics (e.g., frills, childlike print, pigtail hair styles). The researchers found an increase in sexualized aspects of dress in depictions of girls from 1971 through 2011. To determine the extent of sexualization in girls’ clothing, researchers have content analyzed girls’ clothing available on 15 retailer websites (Goodin et al. 2011 ). Every girl’s clothing item on each of the retailer websites was coded for sexualizing aspects; 4% was coded as definitely sexualizing. Ambiguously sexualizing clothing (25%) had both sexualizing and childlike characteristics. Abercrombie Kids’ clothing had a higher percentage of sexualizing characteristics than all the other stores (44% versus 4%). These two studies document that girls are increasingly depicted in sexualizing clothing in U.S. media and that they are offered sexualized clothing by major retailers via their websites.

Since girls are increasingly sexualized, to determine if sexualized dress affects how girls are perceived by others Graff et al. ( 2012 ) designed an experiment wherein they manipulated the sexualizing aspects of the clothing of a 5 th grade girl. There were three clothing conditions: childlike (a grey t-shirt, jeans, and black Mary Jane shoes), ambiguously sexualized (leopard print dress of moderate length), highly sexualized (short dress, leopard print cardigan, purse). In the definitely sexualized condition, undergraduate students rated the girl as less moral, self-respecting, capable, determined, competent, and intelligent than when she was depicted in either the childlike or the ambiguously sexualized conditions. Thus, wearing sexualized clothing can affect how girls are perceived by others, so it is possible that sexualized clothing could lead to self-objectification in girls just as in the case of women (Tiggemann & Andrew 2012 ).

Objectification theory has been useful in identifying probable processes underlying the association between women’s provocative dress and negative inferences. In a study using adult stimuli, Gurung and Chrouser ( 2007 ) presented photos of female Olympic athletes in uniform and in provocative (defined as minimal) dress. College women rated the photos and when provocatively dressed, as compared to the uniform condition, the women were rated as more attractive, more feminine, more sexually experienced, more desirable, but also less capable, less strong, less determined, less intelligent, and as having less self-respect. These results are similar to what had previously been found by researchers in the 1980s (Abbey et al. 1987 ; Cahoon & Edmonds 1987 ; Edmonds & Cahoon 1986 ). This outcome is considered objectifying because the overall impression is negative and sexist. Thus, this line of research does more than demonstrate that provocative dress evokes inferences, it suggests the process by which that occurs: provocative dress leads to objectification of the woman so dressed and it is the objectification that leads to the inferences.

In a more direct assessment of the relationship between provocative dress and objectification of others, Holland and Haslam ( 2013 ) manipulated the dress (provocative or plain clothing) of two models (thin or overweight) who were rated equally attractive in facial attractiveness. Since objectification involves inspecting the body, the authors measured participants’ attention to the models’ bodies. Objectification also involves denying human qualities to the objectified person. Two such qualities are perceived agency (e.g., ability to think and form intentions) and moral agency (e.g., capacity to engage in moral or immoral actions). Several findings are relevant to the research on provocative dress. As compared to models wearing plain clothing, models wearing provocative clothing were attributed less perceived agency (e.g., ability to reason, ability to choose) and less moral agency [e.g., “how intentional do you believe the woman’s behavior is?” (p. 463)]. Results showed that more objectified gaze was directed toward the bodies of the models when they were dressed in provocative clothing as compared to when dressed in plain clothing. This outcome is considered objectifying because the models’ bodies were inspected more when wearing provocative dress, and because in that condition they were perceived as having less of the qualities normally attributed to humans.

In an experimental study guided by objectification theory, Tiggemann and Andrew ( 2012 ) studied the effects of clothing on self-perceptions of state self-objectification, state body shame, state body dissatisfaction, and negative mood. However, unlike studies (e.g., Fredrickson et al. 1998 ) in which participants were asked to try on and evaluate either a bathing suit or a sweater, Tiggemann and Andrew instructed their participants to “imagine what you would be seeing, feeling, and thinking” (p. 648) in scenarios. There were four scenarios: thinking about wearing a bathing suit in public, thinking about wearing a bathing suit in a dressing room, thinking about wearing a sweater in public, and thinking about wearing a sweater in a dressing room. The researchers found main effects for clothing such that as compared to thinking about wearing a sweater, thinking about wearing a bathing suit resulted in higher state self-objectification, higher state body shame, higher state body dissatisfaction, and greater negative mood. The fact that the manipulation only involved thinking about wearing clothing, rather than actually wearing such clothing, demonstrates the power of revealing (provocative, sexy) dress in that we only have to think about wearing it to have it affect our self-perceptions.

Taking extant research into account we encourage researchers to continue to investigate the topic of provocative (sexy, revealing) dress for both men and women to replicate the results for women and to determine if revealing dress for men might evoke the kinds of inferences evoked by women wearing revealing dress. Furthermore, research that delineates the role of objectification in the process by which this association between dress and inferences occurs would be useful. Although it would not be ethical to use the experimental strategy used by previous researchers (Fredrickson et al. 1998 ) with children, it is possible that researchers could devise correlational studies to investigate the extent to which wearing and/or viewing sexualized clothing might lead to self- and other-objectification in girls.

Research on red dress

Researchers who study the social psychology of dress have seldom focused on dress color. However, in the 1980s and 1990s a few researchers investigated color in the context of retail color analysis systems that focused on personal coloring (Abramov 1985 ; Francis & Evans 1987 ; Hilliker & Rogers 1988 ; Radeloff 1991 ). For example, Francis and Evans found that stimulus persons were actually perceived positively when not wearing their recommended personal colors. Hilliker and Rogers surveyed managers of apparel stores about the use of color analysis systems and found some impact on the marketplace, but disagreement among the managers on the value of the systems. Abramov critiqued color analysis for being unclear, ambiguous, and for the inability to substantiate claims. Most of these studies were not guided by a psychological theory of color.

Since the 1990s, researchers have developed a theory of color psychology (Elliot & Maier 2007 ) called color-in-context theory. Like other variables that affect social perception, the theory explains that color also conveys meaning which varies as a function of the context in which the color is perceived. Accordingly, the meanings of colors are learned over time through repeated pairings with a particular experience or message (e.g., red stop light and danger) or with biological tendencies to respond to color in certain contexts. For example, female non-human primates display red on parts of their bodies when nearing ovulation; hence red is associated with lust, fertility, and sexuality (Guéguen and Jacob 2013 ). As a function of these associations between colors and experiences, messages, or biological tendencies, people either display approach responses or avoidance responses but are largely unaware of how color affects them. In this section we review studies that examine the effects of red in relational contexts such as interpersonal attraction. However, there is evidence that red is detrimental in achievement (i.e., academic or hiring) contexts (e.g., Maier et al. 2013 ) and that red signals dominance and affects outcomes in competitive sporting contests (e.g., Feltman and Elliot 2011 ; Hagemann et al. 2008 ).

Recently researchers have used color-in-context theory to study the effects of red dress (shirts, dresses) on impressions related to sexual intent, attractiveness, dominance, and competence. Some of these studies were guided by color-in-context theory. Guéguen ( 2012 ) studied men’s perceptions of women’s sexual intent and attractiveness as a function of shirt color. Male participants viewed a photo of a woman wearing a t-shirt that varied in color. When wearing a red t-shirt as compared to the other colors, the woman was judged to be more attractive and to have greater sexual intent. Pazda et al. ( 2014a , [ b ]) conducted an experiment designed to determine why men perceive women who wear red to be more attractive than those who wear other colors. They argued that red is associated with sexual receptivity due to cultural pairings of red and female sexuality (e.g., red light district, sexy red lingerie). Men participated in an online experiment in which they were exposed to a woman wearing either a red, black, or white dress. When wearing the red dress the woman was rated as more sexually receptive than when wearing either the white or the black dresses. The woman was also rated on attractiveness and by performing a mediation analysis the researchers determined that when wearing the red dress, the ratings of her attractiveness as a function of red were no longer significant; in other words, the reason she was rated as more attractive when wearing the red dress was due to the fact that she was also perceived as more sexually receptive.

Pazda et al. ( 2014a , [ b ]), interested in women’s perceptions of other women as a function of their clothing color, conducted a series of experiments. They reasoned that like men, women would also make the connection between a woman’s red dress and her sexual receptivity and perceive her to be a sexual competitor. In their first experiment they found that women rated the stimulus woman as more sexually receptive when wearing a red dress as compared to when she was wearing a white dress. In a second experiment the woman wearing a red dress was not only rated more sexually receptive, she was also derogated more since ratings of her sexual fidelity were lower when wearing a red dress as compared to a white dress. Finally, in a third experiment the stimulus woman was again rated more sexually receptive; this time when she wore a red shirt as compared to when she wore a green shirt. The authors assessed the likelihood that their respondents would introduce the stimulus person to their boyfriends and the likelihood that they would let their boyfriends spend time with the stimulus person. Participants in the red shirt condition were more likely to keep their boyfriends from interacting with the stimulus person than participants in the green shirt condition. Thus, both men and women indicated women wearing red are sexually receptive.

Also interested in color, Roberts et al. ( 2010 ) were interested in determining whether clothing color affects the wearer of the clothing (e.g., do women act provocatively when wearing red clothing?) or does clothing color affect the perceiver of the person wearing the colored clothing. To answer this question, they devised a complicated series of experiments. In the first study, male and female models (ten of each) were photographed wearing each of six different colors of t-shirts. Undergraduates of the opposite sex rated the photographed models on attractiveness. Both male and female models were rated most attractive when wearing red and black t-shirts. In study two the same photos were used, but the t-shirts were masked by a gray rectangle. Compared to when they wore white t-shirts, male models were judged to be more attractive by both men and women when they wore the red t-shirts, even though the red color was not visible. In the third study the t-shirt colors in the photos were digitally altered, so that images could be compared in which red or white t-shirts were worn with those in which red had been altered to white and white had been altered to red. Male models wearing red were rated more attractive than male models wearing white that had been altered to appear red. Also male models wearing red shirts digitally altered to appear white were rated more attractive than male models actually photographed in white. These effects did not occur for female models. The authors reasoned that if clothing color only affected perceivers, then the results should be the same when a model is photographed in red as well as when the model is photographed in white which is subsequently altered to appear red. Since this did not happen, the authors concluded that clothing color affects both the wearer and the perceiver.

In addition, the effects of red dress on impressions also extend to behaviors. Kayser et al. ( 2010 ) conducted a series of experiments. For experiment one, a female stimulus person was photographed in either a red t-shirt or a green one. Male participants were shown a photo of the woman and given a list of questions from which to choose five to ask her. Because women wearing red are perceived to be more sexually receptive and to have greater sexual intent than when wearing other colors, the researchers expected the men who saw the woman in the red dress to select intimate questions to ask and this is what they found. In a second experiment, the female stimulus person wore either a red or a blue t-shirt. After seeing her picture the male participants were told that they would be interacting with her, where she would be sitting, and that they could place their chairs wherever they wished to sit. The men expecting to interact with the red-shirted woman placed their chairs significantly closer to her chair than when they expected to interact with a blue-shirted woman.

In a field experiment (Guéguen 2012 ), five female confederates wore t-shirts of red or other colors and stood by the side of a road to hitchhike. The t-shirt color did not affect women drivers, but significantly more men stopped to pick up the female confederates when they wore the red t-shirts as compared to all the other colors. In a similar study researchers (Guéguen & Jacob 2013 ) altered the color of a woman’s clothing on an online meeting site so that the woman was shown wearing red or several other colors. The women received significantly more contacts when her clothing had been altered to be red than any of the other t-shirt colors.

Researchers should continue conducting research about the color of dress items using color-in-context theory. One context important to consider in this research stream is the cultural context within which the research is conducted. To begin, other colors in addition to red should be studied for their meanings within and across cultural contexts. Since red is associated with sexual receptivity, red clothing should be investigated in the context of the research on provocative dress. For example, would women wearing red revealing dress be judged more provocative than women wearing the same clothing in different colors? Also researchers interested in girls’ and women’s depictions in the media, could investigate the effects of red dress on perceptions of sexual intent and objectification.

Effects of dress on the behavior of the wearer

Several researchers studying the social psychology of dress have reviewed the research literature (Davis 1984 ; Lennon and Davis 1989 ) and some have analyzed that research (see Damhorst 1990 ; Hutton 1984 ; Johnson et al. 2008 for reviews). In these reviews, Damhorst and Hutton focused on the effect of dress on person perception or impression formation. Johnson et al., however, focused their analysis on behaviors evoked by dress. An emerging line of research focuses on the effects of dress on the behavior of the wearer (Adam and Galinsky 2012 ; Frank and Galinsky 1988 ; Fredrickson et al. 1998 ; Gino et al. 2010 ; Hebl et al. 2004 ; Kouchaki et al. 2014 ; Martins et al. 2007 ).

Fredrickson et al. ( 1998 ), Hebl et al. ( 2004 ), and Martins et al. ( 2007 ) all used objectification theory to guide experiments about women’s and men’s body image experience. They were interested in the extent to which wearing revealing dress could trigger self-objectification. The theory predicts that self-objectification manifests in performance detriments on a task subsequent to a self-objectifying experience. Frederickson et al. had participants complete a shopping task. They entered a dressing room, tried on either a one piece swimsuit or a bulky sweater, and evaluated the fit in a mirror as they would if buying the garment. Then they completed a math performance test. The women who wore a swimsuit performed more poorly on the math test than women wearing a sweater; no such effects were found for men. A few years later Hebl et al. ( 2004 ) used the same procedure to study ethnic differences in self-objectification. Participants were Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, and Asian American undergraduate men and women. Participants completed the same shopping task and math test. Participants who tried on the swimsuits performed worse on the math test than participants who tried on the sweater and these results held for both men and women of all ethnicities.

Martins et al. ( 2007 ) used the same shopping task as Frederickson et al. ( 1998 ) and Hebl et al. ( 2004 ), but employed a different behavioral measure. Their participants were gay and heterosexual men and the garment they tried on was either Speedo men’s briefs or a turtleneck sweater. After the shopping task the men were given the opportunity to sample and evaluate a snack and the amount eaten was measured. Wearing the Speedo affected eating for the gay men, but not the heterosexual men, such that gay men in the Speedo condition ate significantly less of the snack than gay men in the sweater condition. Taken together these studies demonstrate that a nominal clothing manipulation can have effects on the behavior of the wearer.

In one of the first studies to demonstrate the effects of clothing on the wearer, Frank and Gilovich ( 1988 ) noted that the color black is associated with evil and death in many cultures. They studied the extent to which players wearing black uniforms were judged more evil and aggressive than players wearing uniforms of other colors. They analyzed penalties awarded for aggressive behavior in football and ice hockey players. Players who wore black uniforms received more penalties for their aggressive behavior than those who wore other uniform colors. Since the penalty results could be due to biased refereeing, the authors videotaped a staged football game in which the defensive team wore either black or white uniforms. The same events were depicted in each version of the videotape. Participants watched short videos and rated the plays as more aggressive when the team members wore black as compared to white uniforms. In another part of the study, participants were assigned to wear either black or white uniform shirts. While wearing the shirts they were asked the type of games they would like to play; the black-shirted participants selected more aggressive games than the white-shirted participants. The authors interpreted the results of all the studies to mean that players wearing black are aggressive. Yet, when the level of aggressiveness was held constant in the staged football game, referees still perceived black-uniformed players to be more aggressive than white-uniformed players. The authors concluded that the color of the black uniform affects the wearer and the perceiver. This study’s results are similar to those of the researchers studying red dress who found that the color red is associated with a cultural meaning that affects both the wearer and the perceiver of the red dress (Roberts et al. 2010 ).

In a similar way, Adam and Galinsky ( 2012 ) determined that when clothing has symbolic meaning for the wearer, it also affects the wearer’s behavior. The researchers found that a white lab coat was associated with traits related to attentiveness. Then they conducted an experiment in which one group wore a white lab coat described as a painter’s coat and another group wore the same lab coat which was described as a medical doctor’s lab coat. A third group saw, but did not wear, a lab coat described as a medical doctor’s lab coat. Participants then performed an experimental task that required selective attention. The group that wore the coat described as a medical doctor’s lab coat outperformed both of the other two groups.

Gino et al. ( 2010 ) studied the effects of wearing designer sunglasses that were described either as counterfeit or authentic Chloe sunglasses on one’s own behaviors and perceptions of others. Although counterfeits convey status to others, they also mean that the wearers are pretending to be something they are not (i.e., wealthy enough to purchase authentic sunglasses). Participants who thought they were wearing fake sunglasses cheated significantly more on two experimental tasks than those who thought they were wearing authentic sunglasses. In a second experiment, the researchers showed that participants who believed they were wearing counterfeit sunglasses perceived others’ behaviors as more dishonest, less truthful, and more likely to be unethical than those wearing authentic sunglasses. In a third experiment the researchers showed that the effect for wearing counterfeit sunglasses on one’s own behavior was due to the meaning of inauthenticity attributed to the counterfeit sunglasses. Consistent with Adam and Galinsky ( 2012 ) and Frank and Gilovich (1988), in Gino et al. the effect of dress on one’s own behavior was due to the meaning of the dress cue in a context relevant to the meaning of that dress cue. While none of these three studies articulated a specific theory to guide their research, Adams and Galinsky outlined an enclothed cognition framework, which explained that dress affects wearers due to the symbolic meaning of the dress and the physical experience of wearing that dress item.

To summarize the research on the effects of dress on the behavior of the wearer, each of these studies reported research focused on a dress cue associated with cultural meaning. Some of the researchers had to first determine that meaning. The manipulations were designed so that the meaning of the dress cues was salient for the context of the manipulation. For example, in the objectification studies the revealingness of dress was varied in the context of a dressing room mirror where the revealing nature of the cue would be relevant. So to extend the enclothed cognition framework, we suggest that for dress to affect the wearer, the context of the experimental task needs to be such that the meaning of the dress item is salient.

Future researchers may continue to pursue the effects of dress on the wearer. The extended enclothed cognition framework could be applied to school uniforms. A possible research question could be that if school uniforms are associated with powerlessness among schoolchildren, would wearing school uniforms affect the level of effort children expend to solve homework problems or write papers?

It is interesting that previous researchers who examined the effect of school uniforms on various tasks did not ask children what associations uniforms had for them (e.g., Behling 1994 , 1995 ; Behling and Williams 1991 ). This question is clearly an avenue for renewed research in this area. Another situation to which the extended enclothed cognition framework might be investigated is in the context of professional sports. Since wearing a sweatshirt or cap with a professional team’s logo is associated with being a fan of that team, would people wearing those items evaluate that team’s performance higher than people wearing another team’s logos? Would they provide more excuses for their team than fans not wearing the team’s logos? We encourage researchers to continue to investigate the effects of dress on one’s own behaviors utilizing a range of dress cues (e.g., cosmetics, tattoos, and piercings).

Dress and the self

An ongoing area of research within the social psychology of dress is relationships between dress and the self. Although some researchers use the terms identity and self interchangeably, it is our position that they are not the same concepts but are related. We begin our discussion of the self with research on the body.

The physical body and the self

Whereas the first section of our review focused on body supplements (i.e., the clothed body), this section focuses on body modifications or how the body is altered. Within this discussion, the two research directions that we include are (1) body modifications that carry some risk, as opposed to routine modifications that typically do not, and (2) the influence of body talk and social comparison as variables influencing body image.

Body modifications that carry some risk

Societal standards of attractiveness in the Western world often focus on a thin appearance for women and a mesomorphic but muscular appearance for men (Karazia et al. 2013 ). Internalization of societal standards presented through various media outlets is widely recognized as a primary predictor of body dissatisfaction and risky appearance management behaviors including eating pathology among women (Cafri et al. 2005a , [ b ]), muscle enhancement and disordered eating behaviors in men (Tylka 2011 ), tattooing among young adults (Mun et al. 2012 ), and tanning among adolescents (Prior et al. 2014 ; Yoo & Kim, 2014 ). While there are several other risky appearance management behaviors in the early stages of investigation (e.g., extreme body makeovers, cosmetic procedures on male and female private parts, multiple cosmetic procedures), we isolate just a few behaviors to illustrate the impact of changing standards of attractiveness on widespread appearance management practices in the presentation of self.

Experimental research has demonstrated that exposure to social and cultural norms for appearance (via idealized images) leads to greater dissatisfaction with the body in general for both men and women (Blond 2008 ; Grabe et al. 2008 ); yet a meta-analysis of eight research studies conducted in real life settings suggested that these appearance norms were more rigid, narrowly defined, and prevalent for women than for men (Buote et al. 2011 ). These researchers also noted that women reported frequent exposure to social norms of appearance (i.e., considered bombardment by many women), the norms themselves were unrealistic, yet the nature of the messages was that these norms are perfectly attainable with enough time, money, and effort. Men, on the other hand, indicated that they were exposed to flexible social norms of appearance, and therefore report feeling less pressure to attain a particular standard in presenting their appearance to others (Buote et al. 2011 ).

Eating disorders

A recent stream of research related to individuals with eating disorders is concerned with the practice of body checking (i.e., weighing, measuring or otherwise assessing body parts through pinching, sucking in the abdomen, tapping it for flatness). Such checking behaviors may morph into body avoidance (i.e., avoiding looking in mirrors or windows at one’s reflection, avoiding gym locker rooms or situations involving showing the body to others) (White & Warren 2011 ), the manifestation of eating disorders (Haase et al. 2011 ), obsession with one’s weight or body shape, and a critical evaluation of either aspect (Smeets et al. 2011 ). The propensity to engage in body checking appears to be tied to ethnicity as White and Warren found, in their comparison of Caucasian women and women of color (Asian American, African American, and Latin American). They found significant differences in body checking and avoidance behaviors in Caucasian women and Asian American women over African American and Latin American women. Across all the women, White and Warren found positive and significant correlations between body checking and (1) avoidance behaviors and higher body mass index, (2) internalization of a thin ideal appearance, (3) eating disturbances, and (4) other clinical impairments such as debilitating negative thoughts.

Another characteristic of individuals with eating disorders is that they habitually weigh themselves. Self-weighing behaviors and their connection to body modification has been the focus of several researchers. Research teams have documented that self-weighing led to weight loss maintenance (Butryn et al. 2007 ) and prevention of weight gain (Levitsky et al. 2006 ). Other researchers found that self-weighing contributed to risky weight control behaviors such as fasting (Neumark-Sztainer et al. 2006 ) and even to weight gain (Needham et al. 2010 ). Lately, gender differences have also been investigated relative to self-weighing. Klos et al. ( 2012 ) found self-weighing was related to a strong investment in appearance, preoccupation with body shape, and higher weight among women. However, among men self-weighing was related to body satisfaction, investment in health and fitness, and positive evaluation of health.

One interesting departure from weight as a generalized aspect of body concern among women is the examination of wedding-related weight change. Considering the enormous cost of weddings, estimated to average $20,000 in the United States (Wong 2005 ), and the number of wedding magazines, websites, and self-help books on weddings (Villepigue et al. 2005 ), it is not surprising that many brides-to-be want to lose weight for their special occasion. Researchers have shown that an average amount of intended weight loss prior to a wedding is 20 pounds in both the U.S. and Australia with between 12% and 33% of brides-to-be reporting that they had been advised by someone else to lose weight (Prichard & Tiggemann 2009 ). About 50% of brides hoped to achieve weight loss, yet most brides did not actually experience a change in weight (Prichard & Tiggemann, 2014 ); however, when questioned about six months after their weddings, brides indicated that they had gained about four pounds. Those who were told to lose weight by significant others such as friends, family members, or fiancé gained significantly more than those who were not told to do so, suggesting that wedding-related weight change can have repercussions for post wedding body satisfaction and eating behaviors. Regaining weight is typical, given that many people who lose weight regain it with a year or so of losing it.

Drive for muscularity

Researchers have found that body modifications practiced by men are related more to developing muscularity than to striving for a thin body (Cafri et al. 2005a , [ b ]) with particular emphasis placed on developing the upper body areas of chest and biceps (Thompson & Cafri 2007 ). The means to achieve this body modification may include risky behaviors such as excessive exercise and weight training, extreme dieting and dehydration to emphasize musculature, and use of appearance or performance enhancing substances (Hildebrandt et al. 2010 ).

One possible explanation for men’s drive for muscularity may be objectification. While objectification theory was originally proposed to address women’s objectification, it has been extended to men (Hebl et al. 2004 ; Martins et al. 2007 ). These researchers determined that like women, men are objectified in Western and westernized culture and can be induced to self-objectify via revealing clothing manipulations.

Researchers have also examined how men are affected by media imagery that features buff, well-muscled, thin, attractive male bodies as the aesthetic norm. Kolbe and Albanese ( 1996 ) undertook a content analysis of men’s lifestyle magazines and found that most of the advertised male bodies were not “ordinary,” but were strong and hard bodies, or as the authors concluded, objectified and depersonalized. Pope et al. ( 2000 ) found that advertisements for many types of products from cars to underwear utilized male models with body-builder physiques (i.e., exaggerated “6 pack” abdominal muscles, huge chests and shoulders, yet lean); they suggested that men had become focused on muscularity as a cultural symbol of masculinity because they perceived that women were usurping some of their social standing in the workforce. Hellmich ( 2000 ) concurred and suggested that men were overwhelmed with images of half-naked, muscular men and that they too were targets of objectification. Other researchers (e.g., Elliott & Elliott 2005 ; Patterson & England 2000 ) confirmed these findings – that most images in men’s magazines featured mesomorphic, strong, muscular, and hyper-masculine bodies.

How do men respond to such advertising images? Elliott and Elliott ( 2005 ) conducted focus interviews with 40 male college students, ages 18-31, and showed them six different advertisements in lifestyles magazines. They found six distinct types of response, two negative, two neutral, and two positive. Negative responses were (1) homophobic (those who saw the ads as stereotypically homosexual, bordering on pornography), perhaps threatening their own perceived masculinity or (2) gender stereotyping (those who saw the ads as depicting body consciousness or vanity, traits that they considered to be feminine). Neutral responses were (3) legitimizing exploitation as a marketing tool (those who recognized that naked chests or exaggerated body parts were shown and sometimes with no heads, making them less than human, but recognizing that sex sells products), and (4) disassociating oneself from the muscular body ideals shown in the ads (recognizing that the images represented unattainable body types or shapes). Positive responses were (5) admiration of real or attainable “average” male bodies and (6) appreciating some naked advertising images as art, rather than as sexual objects. The researchers concluded that men do see their gender objectified in advertising, resulting in different responses or perceived threats to self.

There is evidence that experiencing these objectified images of the male body is also partially responsible for muscle dysmorphia, a condition in which men become obsessed with achieving muscularity (Leit et al. 2002 ). Understanding contributors to the development of muscle dysmorphia is important as the condition can lead to risky appearance management behaviors such as extreme body-building, eating disorders, and use of anabolic steroids to gain bulk (Bradley et al. 2014 ; Maida & Armstrong 2005 ). In an experiment, Maida and Armstrong exposed 82 undergraduate men to 30 slides of advertisements and then asked them to complete a body image perception test. Men’s body satisfaction was affected by exposure to the images, such that they wanted to be notably more muscular than they were.

Contemporary researchers have found that drive for muscularity is heightened among men when there is a perceived threat to their masculinity such as performance on some task (Steinfeldt et al. 2011 ) or perceiving that they hold some less masculine traits (Blashill, 2011). Conversely, researchers have also suggested that body dissatisfaction and drive for muscularity can be reduced by developing a mindfulness approach to the body characterized by attention to present-moment experiences such as how one might feel during a certain activity like yoga or riding a bicycle (Lavender et al. 2012 ). While the investigation of mindfulness to mitigate negative body image and negative appearance behaviors is relatively new, it is a promising area of investigation.

Tattooing is not necessarily a risky behavior in and of itself, as most tattoo parlors take health precautions with the use of sterile instruments and clean environments. However, research has focused on other risk-taking behaviors that tattooed individuals may engage in, including drinking, smoking, shoplifting, and drug use (Deschesnes et al. 2006 ) as well as and early and risky sexual activity (Koch, Roberts, Armstrong, & Owen, 2007). Tattoos have also been studied as a bodily expression of uniqueness (Mun et al. 2012 ; Tiggemann & Hopkins 2011 ) but not necessarily reflecting a stronger investment in appearance (Tiggemann & Hopkins 2011 ).

Tanning behaviors are strongly associated with skin cancer, just as smoking is associated with lung cancer. In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization has classified ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning devices that emit ultraviolet light as group 1 carcinogens, placing ultraviolet radiation in the same category as tobacco use (World Health Organization, 2012 ). Yet, tanning behaviors are prevalent among many young adults and adolescents causing them to be at increased risk of skin cancer, particularly with indoor tanning devices (Boniol et al. 2012 ; Lostritto et al. 2012 ). Studies of motives for tanning among these populations suggest that greater tanning behavior, for both genders, is correlated with high investment in appearance, media influences, and the influence of friends and significant others (Prior et al. 2014 ). Frequent tanning behaviors in adolescent boys have been related to extreme weight control, substance use, and victimization (Blashill 2013 ). Among young adults, Yoo and Kim ( 2014 ) identified three attitudes toward tanning that were related to tanning behaviors. The attitude that tanning was a pleasurable activity influenced indoor and outdoor tanning behaviors. The attitude that a tan enhances physical attractiveness influenced use of tanning beds and sunless tanning products. The attitude that tanning is a healthy behavior influenced outdoor tanning. They advised that tanning behaviors could be studied further particularly in relation to other risky behaviors.

Body talk and the self

A relatively recent line of investigation concerns the impact of talk about the body on perceptions of self. One would think that communication among friends would typically strengthen feelings of self-esteem and psychological well-being (Knickmeyer et al. 2002 ). Yet, certain types of communication, such as complaining about one’s body or appearance, may negatively impact feelings about the self (Tucker et al. 2007 ), particularly in the case of “fat talk” or disparaging comments about body size, weight, and fear of becoming fat (Ousley et al. 2008 ; Warren et al. 2012 ). Such fat talk has become normative behavior among women and, according to one study, occurs in over 90% of women (Salk & Engeln-Maddox 2011 ) and, according to another study, occurs in women of all ages and body sizes (Martz et al. 2009 ) because women feel pressure to be self-critical about their bodies. More women than men reported exposure to fat talk in their circle of friends and acquaintances and greater pressure to engage in it (Salk & Engeln-Maddox). Thus, fat talk extends body dissatisfaction into interpersonal relationships (Arroyo & Harwood 2012 ).

Sladek et al. ( 2014 ) reported a series of studies that elaborated on the investigation of body talk among men, concluding that men’s body talk has two distinct aspects, one related to weight and the other to muscularity. After developing a scale that showed strong test-retest reliability among college men, they found that body talk about muscularity was associated with dissatisfaction with the upper body, strong drive for muscularity, symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, and investment in appearance. Body talk about weight was associated with upper body dissatisfaction, symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, and disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. They suggest future research in body talk conversations among men and boys of all ages, from different cultural backgrounds, and in different contexts.

Negative body talk among men appears to be less straightforward than that among women (Engeln et al. 2013 ). These researchers reported that men’s body talk included both positive elements and negative elements, while that of women tended to focus on the negative, perhaps reflecting an accepting body culture among men in which they can praise one another as well as commiserate with other men on issues regarding muscularity and weight. Yet, both muscle talk and fat talk were found to decrease state appearance self-esteem and to increase state body dissatisfaction among men.

While the fat talk literature clearly establishes the normative occurrence of this type of communication, as well as establishes the negative impact on the self, the literature has not delved into theoretical explanations for its existence. Arroyo ( 2014 ) has posited a relationship between fat talk and three body image theories (self-discrepancy, social comparison, and objectification), and suggested that degree of body dissatisfaction could serve as a mediating mechanism. Self-discrepancy theory suggests that the discrepancy between one’s actual self and one’s ideal self on any variable, such as weight or attractiveness, motivates people to try to achieve that ideal (Jacobi & Cash 1994 ). Social comparison theory (Festinger 1954 ) explains that we compare ourselves to others on some variable of comparison. When we compare ourselves to others who we believe to be better than ourselves (upward comparison) on this variable (say, for example, thinner or more attractive), we may feel worse about ourselves and engage in both non-risky and risky behaviors such as extreme weight control to try to meet those expectations (Ridolfi et al. 2011 ; Rudd & Lennon 1994 ). Objectification theory, as mentioned earlier in this paper, states that bodies are treated as objects to be evaluated and perceived by others (Szymanski et al. 2011 ); self-objectification occurs when individuals look upon themselves as objects to be evaluated by others.

Arroyo ( 2014 ) surveyed 201 college women to see what effect weight discrepancy, upward comparison, and objectified body consciousness had on fat talk; a mediating variable of body dissatisfaction was investigated. She found that how satisfied or dissatisfied the women did indeed impact how they felt about each variable. Each of the three predictor variables was positively associated with body dissatisfaction and higher body dissatisfaction predicted fat talk. She concluded that fat talk is more insidious than other social behaviors; it is a type of communication that perpetuates negative perceptions among women as well as the attitude that women should be dissatisfied with their bodies. Future research suggestions included examining the impact of downward social comparisons (in which the individual assumes they fare better than peers on the variables of comparison, such as weight), and examining all three phenomena of self-discrepancy, social comparison, and objectification together to determine their cumulative impact on self-disparaging talk.

Negative body talk or fat talk is related to perceptions about the self and to appearance-management behaviors in presenting the self to others. In a sample of 203 young adult women, negative body talk was related to body dissatisfaction and poor self-esteem, and was associated with stronger investment in appearance, distorted thoughts about the body, disordered eating behavior, and depression (Rudiger & Winstead 2013 ). Positive body talk was related to fewer cognitive distortions of the body, high body satisfaction, high self-esteem, and friendship quality. Another form of body talk, co-rumination or the mutual sharing between friends of negative thoughts and feelings, is thought to intensify the impact of body talk. In this same study, co-rumination was related to frequent cognitive distortions of the body as well as disordered eating behaviors, but to high perceived friendship quality. Thus, negative body talk achieved no positive outcomes, yet co-rumination achieved negative outcomes for the self, but positive outcomes for quality of friendship. Thus, future research could tease apart the specific components of the social phenomenon of co-rumination in relation to self-perceptions and appearance management behaviors.

Dress and self as distinct from others

Shifting attention from relationships between the body and self, we move to a discussion of relationships between dress and that aspect of the self that is concerned with answering questions about who we are as distinct and unique individuals (e.g., what type of person am I?). Earlier we shared research about how wearing certain article of dress might impact one’s own physical behaviors. We shift now to sharing research addressing the role dress might play in thinking about oneself as a unique and distinct individual (i.e., self-perceptions). Researchers addressing this topic have utilized Bem’s ( 1972 ) self-perception theory. Bem proposed that similar to the processes we use in forming inferences about others, we can form inferences about ourselves. Bem argues that people’s understanding of their own traits was, in some circumstances, an assessment of their own behaviors. This process was proposed to be particularly relevant to individuals who were responsive to self-produced cues (i.e., cues that arise from an individual’s own behavior or characteristics).

In the 1980s, Kellerman and Laird ( 1982 ) utilized self-perception theory to see whether wearing a specific item of dress (e.g., eye glasses) would influence peoples’ ratings of their own skills and abilities. They conducted an experiment with undergraduate students having them rate themselves on an array of traits when wearing and when not wearing glasses and to complete a hidden figures test. Although there were no significant differences in their performance on the test, the participants’ ratings of their competence and intelligence was higher when wearing glasses than when not. In related research, Solomon and Schopler ( 1982 ) found that both men and women indicated that the appropriateness of their clothing affected their mood.

Studying dress specifically within a workplace context, in the 1990s Kwon ( 1994 ) did not have her participants actually wear different clothing styles but asked them to project how they might think about themselves if they were to wear appropriate versus inappropriate clothing to work. Participants indicated they would feel more competent and responsible if they wore appropriate rather than inappropriate clothing. Similarly, Rafaeli et al. ( 1997 ) a found that employees indicated a link between self-perception and clothing associating psychological discomfort with wearing inappropriate dress for work and increased social self-confidence with appropriate attire. Nearly ten years later, Adomaitis and Johnson ( 2005 ) in a study of flight attendants found that the attendants linked wearing casual uniforms for work (e.g., t-shirt, shorts) with negative self-perceptions (e.g., nonauthoritative, embarrassment, unconfident, unprofessional). Likewise, Peluchette and Karl ( 2007 ) investigating the impact of formal versus casual attire in the workplace found that their participants viewed themselves as most authoritative, trustworthy, productive and competent when wearing formal business attire but as friendliest when wearing casual or business casual attire. Continuing this line of research with individuals employed in the public sector, Karl et al. ( 2013 ) reported participants indicated they felt more competent and authoritative when in formal business or business casual attire and least creative and friendly when wearing casual dress.

As workplace dress has become casual, it would be useful for researchers to uncover any distinctions in casualness that make individuals feel more or less competent, respected, or authoritative. Another aspect of clothing that could be investigated is fit as it might impact self-perceptions or use of makeup.

Guy and Banim ( 2000 ) were interested in how clothing was used as means of self-presentation in everyday life. They implemented three strategies to meet their research objective of investigating women’s relationships to their clothing: a personal account, a clothing diary, and a wardrobe interview. The personal account was a written or tape recorded response to the question “what clothing means to me.” The clothing diary was a daily log kept for two weeks. The wardrobe interview was centered on participants’ current collection of clothing. Participants were undergraduates and professional women representing several age cohorts. The researchers identified three distinct perspectives of self relative to the women’s clothing. The first was labeled “the woman I want to be”. This category of responses revealed that the women used clothing to formulate positive self-projections. Favorite items of clothing in particular were identified as useful in bridging the gap between “self as you would like it to be” and the image actually achieved with the clothing. The second category of responses was labeled “the woman I fear I could be”. This category of responses reflected experiences where clothing had failed to achieve a desired look or resulted in a negative self-presentation. Concern here was choosing to wear clothing with unintentional effects such as highlighting parts of the body that were unflattering or concern about losing the ability to know how to dress to convey a positive image. The last category, “the woman I am most of the time” contained comments indicating the women had a “relationship with clothes was ongoing and dynamic and that a major source of enjoyment for them was to use clothes to realize different aspects of themselves” (p. 321).

Interested in how the self shaped clothing consumption and use, Ogle et al. ( 2013 ) utilized Guy and Banim’s ( 2000 ) views of self to explore how consumption of maternity dress might shape the self during a liminal life stage (i.e., pregnancy). Interviews with women expecting their first child revealed concerns that available maternity dress limited their ability to express their true selves. Some expressed concern that the maternity clothing that was available to them in the marketplace symbolized someone that they did not want to associate with (i.e., the woman I fear I could be). Several women noted they borrowed or purchased used clothing from a variety of sources for this time in their life. This decision resulted in dissatisfaction because the items were not reflective of their selves and if worn resulted in their projecting a self that they also did not want to be. In addition, the women shared that they used dress to confirm their selves as pregnant and as NOT overweight. While some of the participants did experience a disrupted sense of self during pregnancy, others shared that they were able to locate items of dress that symbolized a self-consistent with “the woman I am most of the time”.

Continuing in this line of research, researchers may want to explore these three aspects of self with others who struggle with self-presentation via dress as a result of a lack of fashionable and trendy clothing in the marketplace. Plus-sized women frequently report that they are ignored by the fashion industry and existing offerings fail to meet their need to be fashionable. A recent article in the Huffington Post (“Plus-sized clothing”, 2013 ) noted that retailers do not typically carry plus sizes perhaps due to the misconception that plus-sized women are not trendy shoppers or the idea that these sizes will not sell well. Thus, it may well be that the relationship between dress and self for plus-sized women is frustrating as they are prevented from being able to make clothing choices indicative of their selves “as they would like them to be”.

Priming and self-perception

While several researchers have confirmed that clothing worn impacts thoughts about the self, Hannover and Kühnen ( 2002 ) were interested in uncovering processes that would explain why clothing could have this effect. They began with examining what role priming might have in explaining how clothing impacts self-perceptions. Using findings from social cognition, they argued that clothing styles might prime specific mental categories about one’s self such that those categories that are most easily accessed in a given situation would be more likely to be applied to oneself than categories of information that are difficult to access. Thus, if clothing can be used to prime specific self-knowledge it should impact self-descriptions such that, a person wearing “casual” clothing (e.g., jeans, sweatshirt) should be more apt to describe him or herself using casual terms (e.g., laid-back, uses slang). The researchers had each participant stand in front of a mirror and indicate whether or not specific traits were descriptive of him or herself when wearing either casual or formal clothing (e.g., business attire). The researchers found that when a participant wore casual clothing he or she rated the casual traits as more valid self-descriptions than the formal traits. The reverse was also true. They concluded that the clothing worn primed specific categories of self-knowledge. However, the researchers did not ask participants to what extent they intentionally considered their own clothing when determining whether or not a trait should be applied to them. Yet, as previously noted, Adam and Galinsky ( 2012 ) demonstrated that clothing impacted a specific behavior (attention) only in circumstances where the clothing was worn and the clothing’s meaning was clear. Thus, researchers could test if clothing serves as an unrecognized priming source and if its impact on impression formation is less intentional than typically assumed.

Dress and self in interaction with others

Another area of research within dress and the self involves experience with others and the establishment of meaning. Questions that these researchers are interested in answering include what is the meaning of an item of dress or a way of appearing? Early researchers working in this area have utilized symbolic interactionism as a framework for their research (Blumer 1969 ; Mead 1934 ; Stone 1962 ). The foundational question of symbolic interaction is: “What common set of symbols and understandings has emerged to give meaning to people’s interactions?” (Patton 2002 , p. 112).

There are three basic premises central to symbolic interactionism (Blumer 1969 ). The first premise is that our behavior toward things (e.g., physical objects, other people) is shaped by the meaning that those things have for us. Applied to dress and appearance, this premise means that our behavior relative to another person is influenced by that person’s dress (Kaiser 1997 ) and the meaning that we assign to that dress. The second premise of symbolic interaction is that the meaning of things is derived from social interaction with others (Blumer). This premise indicates that meanings are not inherent in objects, must be shared between individuals, and that meanings are learned. The third premise is that meanings are modified by a continuous interpretative process in which the actor interacts with himself (Blumer). As applied to clothing, this premise suggests that the wearer of an outfit or item of clothing is active in determining the meaning of an item along with the viewer of that item.

Symbolic interactionism posits that the self is a social construction established, maintained, and altered through interpersonal communication with others. While initial work focused on investigating verbal communication as key to the construction of the self, Stone extended communication to include appearance and maintained that “appearance is at least as important in establishment and maintenance of the self” as verbal communication (1962, p. 87).

Stone ( 1962 ) discussed a process of establishing the self in interaction with others. This process included selecting items of dress to communicate a desired aspect of self (i.e., identity) as well as to convey that desired aspect to others. One stage in this process is an individual’s review of his/her own appearance. This evaluation and response to one’s own appearance is called program. One might experience a program by looking in the mirror to assess whether the intended identity expressed through dress is the one that is actually achieved. After this evaluation of one’s appearance, the next stage involves others reacting to an individual’s appearance. This is called a review. Stone contends that when “programs and reviews coincide, the self of the one who appears is validated or established” (p. 92). However, when programs and reviews do not coincide, the announced identity is challenged and “conduct may be expected to move in the direction of some redefinition of the challenged self” (p. 92).

Researchers using this approach in their investigations of dress have used Stone’s ( 1962 ) ideas and applied the concept of review to the experiences of sorority women. Hunt and Miller ( 1997 ) interviewed sorority members about their experiences with using dress to communicate their membership and how members, via their reviews, shaped their sorority appearances. Members reported using several techniques in the review of the appearance of other members as well as in response to their own appearance (i.e., programs). Thus, the researcher’s results supported Stone’s ideas concerning establishment of an identity (as an aspect of self) as a process of program and review.

In an investigation of the meaning of dress, in this instance the meaning of a specific body modification—a tattoo, Mun et al. ( 2012 ) interviewed women of various ages who had tattoos to assess meanings, changes in self-perceptions as a result of the tattoo, and any changes in the women’s behavior as an outcome of being tattooed. To guide their inquiry, the researchers used Goffman’s ( 1959 ) discussion of the concept of self-presentation from his seminal work The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life . According to Goffman, on a regular basis people make inferences about the motivations that underlie other people’s behaviors. To make these inferences they use everyday details. Because most people make these inferences, Goffman believed that individuals could purposely control the content of those inferences by controlling their behavior. Included in this behavior was an individual’s dress. These researchers found support for Goffman’s reasoning. Participants shared that their tattoo(s) had meaning and were expressive of their selves, their personal values and interests, important life events (e.g., marriage), and religious/sacred beliefs. The meaning of a tattoo was also dynamic for several participants rather than static. Participants’ self-perceptions were impacted as a result of being tattooed with several participants sharing increases to their confidence and to their perceived empowerment. Individuals who shared a change in behavior primarily noted that they controlled the visibility of their tattoos to others as a method to control how others might respond to them having a tattoo especially within the workplace.

Since an array of body modifications (e.g., piercings, gauging, scarification) are being adopted cross-culturally, investigations of people’s experiences with any of these modifications is fertile area for future researchers interested in the meaning(s) of dress and how dress impacts the self through interaction with others. Researchers may want to investigate men’s experiences with piercing/gauging as well as women’s experiences with body building and other developing forms of body modification. Extreme forms of body piercings (e.g., piercings that simulate corset lacings) and underlying motivations for these body modifications would add to our understanding of relationships between dress and self. The meanings of facial hair to men or body hair removal (partial, total) for both men and women are additional aspects of dress that could be investigated.

Dress and self as influence on consumption

In the aforementioned research by Ogle et al. ( 2013 ), the researchers found that a primary reason their participants were disappointed by the maternity clothing offered through the marketplace was due to a lack of fit between their selves and the clothing styles made available. Thus, it is clear that ideas about the self impact clothing selection and purchase. Sirgy ( 1982 ) proposed self-image product-image congruity theory to describe the process of how people applied ideas concerning the self to their purchasing. The basic assumption of the theory is that through marketing and branding, products gain associated images. The premise of the theory is that products people are motivated to purchase are products with images that are congruent with or symbolic of how they see themselves (i.e., actual self-image) or with how they would like to be (i.e., ideal self-image). They also will avoid those products that symbolize images that are inconsistent with either of these self-images.

Rhee and Johnson ( 2012 ) found support for the self-image product-image congruity relationship with male and female adolescents. These researchers investigated the adolescents’ purchase and use of clothing brands. Participants indicated their favorite apparel brand was most similar to their actual self (i.e., this brand reflects who I am), followed by their social self (i.e., this brand reflects who I want others to think I am), and their desired self (i.e., this brand reflects who I want to be).

Earlier, Banister and Hogg ( 2004 ) conducted research investigating the idea that consumers will actively reject or avoid products with negative symbolic meanings. The researchers conducted group interviews with adult consumers. Their participants acknowledged that clothing items could symbolize more than one meaning depending on who was interpreting the meaning. They also acknowledged that the consumers they interviewed appeared to be more concerned with avoiding consumption of products with negative symbolic images than with consuming products with the goal of achieving a positive image. One participant noted that while attempts to achieve a positive image via clothing consumption may be sub-conscious, the desire to avoid a negative image when shopping was conscious.

Closing remarks

It is clear from our review that interest in the topic of the social psychology of dress is on-going and provides a fruitful area of research that addresses both basic and applied research questions. Although we provided an overview of several key research areas within the topic of the social psychology of dress we were unable to include all of the interesting topics being investigated. There are other important areas of research including relationships between dress and specific social and cultural identities, answering questions about how dress functions within social groups, how we learn to attach meanings to dress, and changing attitudes concerning dress among others. Regardless, we hope that this review inspires both colleagues and students to continue to investigate and document the important influence dress exerts in everyday life.

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Johnson, K., Lennon, S.J. & Rudd, N. Dress, body and self: research in the social psychology of dress. Fashion and Textiles 1 , 20 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40691-014-0020-7

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22 February 2022

Deadly Fashion

My $9.99 t-shirt is no longer wearable after two washes: the shape of the shirt is so distorted that it does not fit me well anymore. One might say I got what I paid for, because the poorly constructed t-shirt is from a “fast fashion” store. Fast fashion is a term for the companies like H&M, Zara, and Uniqlo that sell clothes that copy the trendy appeal of high-end brands but at an affordable price, usually because they are made in countries with low labor costs like India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and China. Fast fashion prices are so low, explains anthropologist and marketing professor Annamma Joy, that consumers feel encouraged to dispose of a garment after a few wearings and buy a new piece (274). This leads to an increase in sales for new clothing. In fact, According to journalist Rachel Monroe, “Worldwide, clothing production doubled from 2000 to 2015, while prices dropped: We were spending the same amount on clothes, but getting nearly twice as many items for it.” This increase in value for customers has a steep price, even if we can't see it in the store. Before tossing my t-shirt in a donation bag, I wonder about the person who sewed it. Who is this person? How good or bad are their working conditions? What about the cost of pollution? Although some defend the fast fashion industry’s aesthetic and economic contributions, it has devastating impacts on labor rights and the environment, and needs serious regulations by all nations to stop the damage.

One glaring consequence of the demand for cheap clothing is that factory workers get paid too little, while their requests for living wages are ignored. Cheap labor is a reason that many apparel corporations move their production overseas. As Adam Matthews reports, by 2016, only 3% of clothes sold in the U.S. were made in this country. This shift to foreign production is the direct result of lower labor costs. According to Deborah Drew, an associate at the World Resource Institute’s Center for Sustainable Business, women garment workers in Bangladesh are paid about $96 per month; however, the government estimates $336 dollars as a minimum level for workers to afford their basic needs. Based on these statistics, women are paid less than a third of a necessary living wage. Garment workers in other developing countries suffer similarly: they work long hours but remain in poverty. Business owners and their powerful organizations dismiss the demands of factory laborers for raises because they claim that paying more will lead to factory closures. In fact, in recent negotiations, some are trying to impose even worse pay. Ken Loo, secretary-general of the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia, defended the employers’ proposal to reduce wages by 4.5 percent. He “pointed to the economic effects of COVID-19 and said garment industry employers can’t afford to spend more on labor” (Sovuthy). His statement reflects the belief that the workers’ lives and well-being are not important compared to the continuing profits of the owners and investors. Most reasonable people would not agree with that idea, but most of us still shop for cheap clothing. We can’t depend on the individual fairness of factory owners, or on individual consumers to solve this problem; that’s why regulations are critical.

Besides low wages, workers in the clothing factories also suffer terrible working conditions. Singular tragic events such as the Rana Plaza factory collapse in 2013 that killed over a thousand workers make worldwide news (Rahman and Rahman 1331), but the daily experiences of the people making cheap clothing are also unacceptable. According to Sadika Akhter, an anthropologist and doctor of Environmental Public Health and her colleagues, garment workers in Bangladesh typically work ten to twelve hours per day, inhaling fabric dust, enduring extreme heat, and getting repetitive motion injuries from using the machines. They are constantly in pain and exhausted. In their qualitative study of women garment workers’ experiences, Akhter et al. quote a machine operator who says, “We sew shirts with our tears and injure our fingers due to needle punctures. If you work at the garment factory it will give you some money but it will take your health. . . . No one can work in a factory more than ten years because you will lose your physical strength, energy and health . . . due to the nature of hard work in this industry." This statement emphasizes how exploited these workers are; their bodies are being damaged every day. The people, not just the clothing, are treated as if they are disposable.

It is true that the industry has made some progress in improving labor rights. Sociology professor Shahidur Rahman of BRAC University, and professor of Development Studies Kazi Mahmudur of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh describe some attempts at reform following the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013 in their article in Development and Change . According to Rahman and Rahman, two major agreements, the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh and the Alliance for Bangladesh Workers' Safety brought together business owners and governments to improve the safety of factory buildings (1332). The Bangladeshi government also made changes to labor laws to allow workers to organize, and other international unions and non-governmental organizations have campaigned for worker rights in the industry (Rahman and Rahman 1333). These developments are positive—at least workers are less likely to die in a fire or building collapse. However, the inhumane daily conditions and low pay remain, even eight years after these agreements were made.

Beyond the conditions inside the factories, the production of cheap clothing causes significant pollution. The problems begin with the raw materials: synthetic fibers are made from petroleum, and although plant fibers are considered more natural, growing plants to use for fabric has its own problems. Research scientist Luz Claudio writes that cotton is "one of the most water and pesticide dependent crops (A450). Despite the fact that more consumers are choosing organic produce over conventional because of the concern about pesticide residue on fruits and vegetables, this trend is not extending to crops grown for fabrics. In fact, pesticide use on cotton fields is actually growing, along with its negative impact on farm workers, according to an international team of scientists from Pakistan and Greece (Khan and Damala 9). This problem is not limited to the countries where clothing is sewn; the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that the usage of pesticides to produce cotton is a quarter of the entire pesticide used in this country (qtd. in Claudio, A450). Furthermore, when fabric is processed and dyed in factories overseas it can lead to significant water pollution. According to investigative reporter Adam Matthews, water that runs off from the factories contaminates rivers that are the lifeline for farmers, killing crops and sickening local residents and animals. Yixiu Wu of Greenpeace points out that "the average pair of jeans requires 1,850 gallons of water to process; a t-shirt requires 715 gallons. And after going through the manufacturing process, all that water often ends up horribly polluted" (qtd. in Matthews). In addition to water pollution, the fashion industry produces at least a tenth of the world's carbon emissions, says journalist Dana Thomas (qtd. in Shatzman). Still, most retail corporations do little to address these harms, because their profits are higher when they spend less money ensuring that crops are grown without poisons and that the waste products are properly disposed of.

Despite the clear injustices and environmental harms of garment production, some argue that the fashion industry provides work to people with few better choices in developing countries. According to reporter Stephanie Vatz, companies began outsourcing clothing manufacturing jobs in the 1970s, and by 2013, only two percent of clothing was made in the U.S. The same lack of labor protections that allow terrible working conditions in developing countries also guarantees low labor costs that motivate U.S. companies to relocate their factory sources (Vatz). Some claim that this is actually a benefit to those workers. For example, Benjamin Powell, the director of the Free Market Institute, justifies sweatshop labor, insists that this model is "part of the process that raises living standards and leads to better working conditions and development over time (qtd. in Ozdamar-Ertekin 3). This argument is compelling from a distance, but even if it may be true to some degree when we look at the history of economic development, it disregards the humanity of current garment workers. These people continue to work long hours in brutal conditions, generating huge profits for the factory and retail owners. Making the excuse that their lives could be even worse without this exploitation is just a cynical justification for greed.

Fast fashion brands focus almost entirely on financial gain and ignore social responsibility and workers' human rights. They turn a blind eye to polluting rivers, the impact on farmland, and poor labor conditions. As a consumer of fast fashion brands, this is troubling. As a person considering fashion as a part of history, a form of art and self-expression, this is beyond sad. A bad sewing job is an inconvenience for me, but unethical practices are the real issue. If there is something we can change, that is our behavior as consumers: we need to buy second-hand clothes, look for companies making apparel here in the U.S., and be willing to pay more for higher-quality clothing that lasts. However, ultimately this is not just a question of our own purchasing decisions. Major changes are needed in the system, and for that we need stronger government regulations to ensure real change.

Works Cited

Akhter, Sadika, et al. “Sewing Shirts with Injured Fingers and Tears: Exploring the Experience of Female Garment Workers Health Problems in Bangladesh.” BMC International Health & Human Rights , vol. 19, no. 1, Jan. 2019. EBSCOhost , doi:10.1186/s12914-019-0188-4.

Claudio, Luz. "Waste Couture: Environmental Impact of the Clothing Industry." Environmental Health Perspectives , vol. 115, no. 9, Sept. 2007, pp. A448-A454.

Joy, Annamma, et al. "Fast Fashion, Sustainability, and the Ethical Appeal of Luxury Brands." Fashion Theory: The Journal of Dress, Body & Culture , vol. 16, no. 3, Sept. 2012, pp. 273-295. EBSCO host , doi:10.2752/175174112X13340749707123.

Khan, Muhammad and Christos A. Damalas. "Factors Preventing the Adoption of Alternatives to Chemical Pest Control among Pakistani Cotton Farmers." International Journal of Pest Management , vol. 61, no. 1, Jan-Mar 2015, pp. 9-16. EBSCO host , doi:10.1080/09670874.2014.984257.

Matthews, Adam. "The Environmental Crisis in Your Closet." Newsweek . Newsweek LLC, 13 Apr. 2016. Web. 23 Apr. 2017.

Monroe, Rachel. “Ultra-Fast Fashion Is Eating the World.” Atlantic , vol. 327, no. 2, Mar. 2021, pp. 76–84. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.berkeley.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,url&db=a9h&AN=148607124&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Rahman, Shahidur, and Kazi Mahmudur Rahman. “Multi-actor Initiatives after Rana Plaza: Factory Managers’ Views.” Development & Change , vol. 51, no. 5, Sept. 2020, pp. 1331–1359. EBSCOhost , doi:10.1111/dech.12572.

Shatzman, Celia. "‘Fashionopolis’ Author Dana Thomas On How Fast Fashion Is Destroying the Planet and What You Can Do about It." Forbes , 4 Oct. 2019.

Sovuthy, Khy. "Minimum Wage to Be Moved to Vote after Third Meeting Fails to Find Joint Resolution." Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association News , Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association, 21 Sept. 2021.

Vatz, Stephanie. "Why America Stopped Making Its Own Clothes." The Lowdown . KQED, 24 May 2013. Web. 12 Apr. 2017.

Licenses and Attributions

Cc licensed content: original.

Authored by Maroua Abdelghani and Ruri Tamimoto, Berkeley City College. License: CC BY NC.

Bank Failures and Economic Activity: Evidence from the Progressive Era

During the Progressive Era (1900-29), economic growth was rapid but volatile. Boom and busts witnessed the formation and failure of tens of thousands of firms and thousands of banks. This essay uses new data and methods to identify causal links between failures of banks and bankruptcies of firms. Our analysis indicates that bank failures triggered bankruptcies of firms that depended upon banks for ongoing access to commercial credit. Firms that did not depend upon banks for credit did not fail in appreciably larger numbers after banks failed or during financial panics.

The authors thank participants in seminars at Stanford, UC Davis, Berkeley, and in the Monetary and Financial History Conference jointly hosted by the Atlanta Fed and Emory University. The authors received financial support from NSF Grant SES- 2214557 while completing this research. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

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