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Popular Fashion Research Paper Topics Ideas and Examples

Updated 30 Aug 2024

Fashion research paper topics are sometimes hard to develop, as this subject is a popular context that changes rapidly. Still, we are all surrounded by trends in our daily lives – we always wear clothes that express our unique sense of style, so there is actually a lot to write about here.

Trends are not stable, so to keep up with the latest mode, it's better to know the background and appeal to tendencies that have taken place previously. Choosing the right topic is essential, as it will help define the angle of developing your ideas and demonstrate your skills in analytical thinking and a creative approach.

Topics about fashion are not limited to discussing clothes only. This subject is also about music, movies, art, and makeup. Those tendencies that were popular in the particular period affect the style and culture of the entire generations, so every topic on the subject has the potential to become something more than simply about trends. Continue reading to learn tips on choosing the most engaging fashion essay topics, before you pay someone to write my paper.

Tips on How to Choose Interesting Research Paper Topics about Fashion

Here are our topic recommendations of how to choose the topic that will be appealing for you:

• Define a specific niche. Narrow down your search by defining whether you’ll be writing about stylistic trends for kids, teenagers, adults or seniors. Besides, you might be focusing on modern fashion or on some particular period.
• Design an engaging title. The subject itself allows you to be as creative as possible. Try to engage a reader right from the title of your paper.
• Make a prior research. Google the topic you’re interested in, look for some sources you can use to support your ideas in the college library. Search for some celebrities’ examples and pictures you can add to enhance your writing.
• Think about the main message of your research. Every new writing should bear some value. Think about the main statement of your work. Is there any new approach you would like to share with your readers? Each essay should have its own unique idea.

To help you choose some nice options for your research, we’ve composed a list of 110 paper topic ideas dedicated to style for you to get inspired. College students who are into fashion and want to analyze some of the newest trends will have no trouble finding a compelling topic to write about from the list below. Feel free to modify those you find the most suitable to make them more precise and personalized.

We’ve made sure that all topics from the list you’ll find below are relevant for those who have connected majors. The ideas we share are either somehow connected to present trends or serve as an analysis of stylistical ideas from the past. Those old ones are essential for understanding modern culture as well, as they can change our modern-day perceptions and views. Besides, all trends have a tendency to reappear from time to time due to the fact fashion is cyclical.

What should be included in fashion research?

A student who starts writing on the task is expected to have an academic approach in developing the topic and rely on historical facts and information worthy of inclusion in the research paper. Prior writing, we recommend analyzing recent trends in clothes and connecting them to history, business, science, or art. This step will help to choose some relevant research paper topics on fashion. Exploring fashion research paper topics can be fascinating, but if you need specialized assistance for your healthcare-related assignments, seeking nursing paper help can ensure your nursing papers are thorough and well-crafted.

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Historical and Cultural Perspectives Topics

Want to write a research paper on the subject but lack the proper title? Here’s a list of creative fashion research topics for you to get inspired.

• The evolution of fashion from the 1920s to the present.
• The impact of royal figures on fashion trends throughout history.
• Cross-cultural influences in fashion: East meets West.
• The role of fashion in the feminist movement.
• Fashion during the Renaissance: A symbol of status and power.
• The influence of punk culture on mainstream fashion.
• Traditional costumes around the world and their modern interpretations.
• The history of haute couture and its relevance today.
• Fashion icons of the 20th century and their legacy.
• The evolution of men's fashion: From formal to casual.
• The impact of war on fashion design and materials.
• African textiles and their influence on global fashion.
• The kimono: From traditional wear to fashion statement.
• The flapper dress: Symbolizing women's liberation in the 1920s.
• The history and significance of the fashion show.
• Fashion in the Victorian era: Constraints and extravagance.
• The rise and fall of the corset: A historical perspective.
• The influence of cinema on fashion trends.
• The globalization of fashion: A historical overview.
• Fashion and identity among indigenous cultures.

Fashion Industry and Business

• The economics of the fashion industry: Challenges and opportunities.
• The role of fashion weeks in shaping industry trends.
• Sustainable fashion: Strategies for a greener industry.
• The impact of fast fashion on the environment and labor markets.
• Luxury brands and their marketing strategies.
• The rise of e-commerce in the fashion industry.
• Fashion merchandising: Principles and practices.
• The psychology behind consumer behavior in fashion.
• The role of fashion influencers in digital marketing.
• Ethical considerations in the fashion supply chain.
• Brand collaborations: A strategy for innovation and reach.
• The future of retail: Physical stores vs. online shopping.
• The impact of technology on fashion design and production.
• Fashion entrepreneurship: Starting a brand from scratch.
• The role of intellectual property rights in fashion.
• Consumer trends shaping the future of fashion.
• The challenges of size inclusivity in fashion.
• The impact of social media on fashion brands.
• Fashion and luxury goods counterfeiting: Impacts and solutions.
• The role of fashion editors and magazines in the industry.

Fashion Design and Technology

• The intersection of fashion design and wearable technology.
• 3D printing in fashion: Opportunities and challenges.
• The role of computer-aided design (CAD) in fashion.
• Smart textiles and their applications in modern apparel.
• The future of virtual reality (VR) in fashion design and retail.
• Sustainable materials and innovations in textile production.
• The evolution of fabric dyeing techniques and their environmental impact.
• The influence of architecture on fashion design.
• The science of pattern making and garment construction.
• The role of color theory in fashion design.
• Adaptive fashion for people with disabilities.
• The impact of biomimicry on textile innovation.
• The resurgence of artisanal and handcrafted fashion.
• The role of costume design in film and theater.
• Gender-neutral and unisex design in contemporary fashion.
• The psychology of fashion design: Color, form, and function.
• The influence of technology on fashion illustration.
• Upcycling and repurposing in fashion design.
• The future of bespoke and made-to-measure fashion.
• The role of textiles in fashion: From natural to synthetic fibers.

Fashion Trends and Styles

• The cycle of fashion trends: How old becomes new again.
• Streetwear: Origins, evolution, and influence.
• The impact of celebrity culture on fashion trends.
• Athleisure: Blurring the lines between sportswear and casual wear.
• The role of subcultures in shaping fashion trends.
• Minimalism in fashion: Aesthetic and philosophy.
• The revival of vintage and retro styles in contemporary fashion.
• The influence of music genres on fashion.
• Eco-fashion: Trends promoting sustainability and ethics.
• The role of accessories in completing a look.
• The impact of global travel on fashion trends.
• Seasonal trends vs. timeless style.
• The influence of art movements on fashion design.
• The role of gender fluidity in contemporary fashion trends.
• The impact of social movements on fashion statements.
• The evolution of swimwear: From modesty to fashion statement.
• The significance of the little black dress in fashion history.
• The influence of youth culture on fashion innovation.
• The role of bridal wear in fashion design.
• The impact of social media trends on fast fashion.

Fashion and Society

• Fashion as a form of self-expression and identity.
• The role of fashion in social status and class distinction.
• The impact of fashion on body image and self-esteem.
• Cultural appropriation vs. appreciation in fashion.
• The influence of fashion on gender norms and expectations.
• Fashion activism: Using style to make a statement.
• The psychology behind fashion choices and personal style.
• The role of uniforms in society: Schools, military, and corporations.
• Fashion and age: Challenging stereotypes and expectations.
• The significance of dress codes in different cultural contexts.
• The impact of fashion on LGBTQ+ identity and visibility.
• The role of fashion in religious and cultural practices.
• Fashion and disability: Inclusivity and adaptive design.
• The influence of political events on fashion trends.
• The role of fashion in historical and cultural preservation.
• Fashion as a tool for social change and empowerment.
• The impact of globalization on local fashion and traditions.
• The role of fashion in celebrity culture and fandom.
• Fashion and the representation of race and ethnicity.
• The ethics of beauty standards imposed by the fashion industry.

Fashion Photography and Media

• The evolution of fashion photography: From magazines to digital platforms.
• The role of fashion photographers in shaping brand image.
• The impact of social media on fashion photography trends.
• The intersection of fashion and art in editorial photography.
• The influence of digital retouching on perceptions of beauty.
• Behind the scenes: The making of iconic fashion campaigns.
• The role of fashion films in storytelling and branding.
• The impact of fashion bloggers and influencers on industry trends.
• The evolution of fashion magazines and their role in culture.
• The significance of cover shoots in fashion media.
• Ethical considerations in fashion photography.
• The role of street style photography in capturing trends.
• The impact of celebrity endorsements in fashion media.
• The challenges of representing diversity in fashion photography.
• The influence of technology on fashion film production.
• The role of visual merchandising in fashion retail.
• The impact of fashion advertising on consumer behavior.
• The role of fashion editors in curating content.
• The significance of fashion exhibitions and retrospectives.
• The future of fashion media in the digital age.

Sustainable Fashion and Ethics

• The principles of sustainable fashion: Reducing environmental impact.
• The role of upcycling in promoting sustainable fashion.
• The impact of fast fashion on the environment and labor practices.
• Innovations in eco-friendly materials and textiles.
• The challenges and opportunities of ethical fashion branding.
• Consumer responsibility in promoting sustainable fashion.
• The role of certifications and standards in ethical fashion.
• The impact of water usage and pollution in textile production.
• Strategies for reducing waste in the fashion industry.
• The role of technology in creating sustainable fashion solutions.
• The economics of sustainable fashion: Cost vs. benefit.
• The impact of second-hand and vintage markets on sustainability.
• Ethical issues in animal-derived materials: Leather, fur, and wool.
• The role of fashion education in promoting sustainability.
• Collaborations between environmental organizations and fashion brands.
• The challenges of transparency and traceability in the supply chain.
• The role of government and policy in supporting sustainable fashion.
• Consumer trends and demand for ethical fashion products.
• The future of sustainable fashion: Innovations and predictions.

Fashion and Globalization

• The impact of globalization on traditional dress and fashion.
• The role of global fashion brands in shaping consumer culture.
• The influence of global fashion weeks on international trends.
• The challenges of maintaining cultural identity in global fashion.
• The impact of trade agreements on the fashion industry.
• The role of global sourcing and manufacturing in fashion.
• The influence of global celebrities and icons on fashion trends.
• The impact of global economic shifts on fashion markets.
• The role of digital platforms in globalizing fashion retail.
• The challenges and benefits of cross-cultural fashion collaborations.
• The impact of migration and diaspora on fashion innovation.
• The role of global fashion media in shaping trends.
• The challenges of ethical production in a globalized industry.
• The influence of global tourism on fashion consumption.
• The role of international fashion exhibitions and fairs.
• The impact of cultural exchange programs on fashion education.
• The challenges of language and communication in global fashion.
• The role of international fashion awards in promoting designers.
• The impact of global environmental concerns on fashion sustainability.
• The future of fashion in a globalized world: Trends and predictions.

This extensive list of fashion research paper topics, divided into eight categories, offers a wide range of subjects for exploration, from historical and cultural perspectives to sustainability and globalization. Each category provides a unique lens through which to examine the multifaceted world of fashion, encouraging in-depth research and critical analysis.

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

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.

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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117 Awesome Fashion Research Topics: Inspirational Ideas List

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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57 Interesting Fashion Dissertation Topics and Ideas

by  Antony W

June 28, 2024

Culture and fashion intersect to a great degree, and this is a great area to study and write a dissertation on. So if you’re interested in examining the relationship between culture and fashion and the role the two play in the human life, you should explore the best fashion dissertation topics, identify the topic idea that interests you, and present your research in your dissertation project.

The most important rule when choosing a dissertation topic in culture and fashion is to focus on a subject that reflects your concerns and interest. It also helps to ensure that the topic you choose merges well into the current trends and focuses on key areas.  

It’s important to note that the link between fashion and culture is complex and dynamic. Given that diversity, you will need to implement sociological and psychological research.

In this dissertation topics series, we look at some examples of topics that are worth looking at in the culture-fashion field.

Fashion Dissertation Topics

We’ve divided the following sections into categories to make it easy for you to identify the area you would find interesting to explore in your work.

Iconography Topics for Dissertation Research

• Trying to keep up with the Kardashians: The Kardashians’ effect on the fashion industry is being tracked
• Imagining Monroe: A look back at one of the world’s most stylish ladies
• Fashioning the Elite: What Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn’s lifelong friendship contributed to the fashion industry
• ‘Pride and Prejudice’: how Austen continues to captivate designers’ minds today.
• What Elvis gave to the fashion world: glitz, glam, and an increasing girth.
• Gender fluidity: Investigating the importance of androgynous fashion icons
• If appearances could kill: Kylie Minogue and the pop princess image.

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Co-creation in the Fashion Industry

• To what degree has digital technology aided in the global fashion industry’s co-creation?
• Is the ‘culture of co-creation’ in the fashion industry the way of the future?
• ‘None of us are as strong as all of us,’ says the fashion industry on co-creation.
• Co-creation via social media: A fashion industry case study
• What is the function of co-creators’ culture in SME fashion brands?

History of Fashion Dissertation Topics

• A discussion of 1970s fashion icons and what they contributed to the fashion industry
• How fashion in the 1980s reflected political and cultural beliefs of the period.
• Royal attire and the many identities of rulers across the world
• Material marriages: The origins and evolution of the English wedding gown
• The effect of vintage clothes on today’s fashion business is discussed in this article.

Fashion Topics on Clothing, Leisure and Place

• Shakespearean theatre and the aesthetic image: how Shakespearean plays influence current fashion trends
• Changing Times: The closure of the rural-urban fashion divide during the previous century
• The uniform: the history and transformation of school uniforms in the United Kingdom during the last century
• Celebrity fashion influence: an examination of celebrity-endorsed design lines
• What is the function of the heel? A look back at the history of high-heeled shoes in fashion

Children’s Clothing Fashion Dissertation Topics

• Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and the trendy imagination are the essence of the fairy tale.
• A critical examination of the controversies around promiscuity and children’s clothes
• T-shirts, chains, and baggy pants: In children’s fashion, the meaning of skateboard culture
• Is children’s dress representative of current societal values? Children’s clothes from the Victorian era to the current day is being studied.
• Return to nature: The incorporation of natural-world emblems and symbols into modern fashion.
• “If everyone else can do it, why can’t we?” An examination of the impact of fashion advertisement on children

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Dissertation Topics on Sex, Body, and Presentation in Fashion

• Adoration and adornment: A critical examination of the significance of body art and piercing in Western civilizations
• Fashion and religion: An investigation into the issues about appropriate dress
• The real and the subversive: Mannequins and models have been used since the 1960s.
• Dressing monks and nuns through the centuries is a lifelong practice.
• To what extent is modern fashion concerned with appearing nice naked?
• Have transgender models had an impact on mainstream fashion design?

Material and Designs Fashion Dissertation Topics

• The impact of health and safety, as well as the expansion of gender shifting roles, are all factors to consider when it comes to public service attire.
• Materials that matter: an examination of the shifting usage of materials during the nineteenth century
• The morality and appeal of natural textiles such as leather and cotton are currently being debated.
• Statements made by accessories: How diverse materials have influenced accessory styles.
• From the 1990s to the present, distressed fashion and damaged garments have been popular.

COVID-19 Impact on Creative Industries

• What role did digital advancements play in assisting the creative sectors throughout the pandemic?
• Examine new crossovers in culture, education, and health resulting from the COVID epidemic.
• Why did COVID have such a detrimental impact on the creative industries compared to many other sectors?
• Investigate students’ perspectives on employment opportunities in the fashion industry following COVID-19.

Fashion Entrepreneurship Dissertation Topics

• Describe the variables influencing the performance of small and medium-sized firms in the cultural and fashion industries in the United Kingdom.
• Discuss the obstacles or concerns that fashion entrepreneurs encounter.
• Fashion design entrepreneurship: Required skills and a solution Starting a business
• Contribution of fashion entrepreneurship on the country’s economic growth
• Education in fashion entrepreneurship: A handbook for aspiring fashion entrepreneurs
• What criteria should you consider before starting a new fashion firm in the United States or the United Kingdom?
• For luxury fashion firms, social media marketing is the most successful method.

Good Fashion Dissertation Topics

• The effect of fashion on the young generation as a result of celebrity lives and movies they watch
• What is the difference between a fashion brand’s brand image and brand identity, and how does it benefit entrepreneurs in today’s market?
• Analysis and examination of the history of the hat and how it has evolved over the ages with new designs
• Since the early 1800s, a chronological examination and study of men and women’s fashion has been conducted
• Nuns’ and monks’ clothes and style during the last few decades
• In today’s society, does luxury apparel necessitate good social media marketing?
• What films, both past and present, have had a significant effect on society in terms of fashion?

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

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Fashion Dissertation Topics – Latest & Trending

Published by Owen Ingram at January 5th, 2023 , Revised On June 24, 2024

The fashion trends reflect culture.  The influence of culture on major styles and trends of the past can’t be understated. This is predominantly true in the world of  women’s fashion . As the 20 th century kicked off, women started to fight for equal rights, which was reflected in their fashion trends.

Thus, early in the 20 th  century, women were first seen wearing jeans. Fast forwarding, women of today’s world are now accustomed to smoking, which was previously seen as a strictly male habit. Cultures throughout the globe make use of clothing to make fashion statements.

Fashion trends further reflect the hierarchies, personal relationships, and social power structures within communities. Finding a good fashion dissertation topic can be a very daunting task, primarily because it should be intriguing and manageable in the given timeframe.

According to  Diverse World Fashion (2024), “ Culture is a largely inclusive concept, and the fact of fashion reflecting culture implies some consideration of some major cultural changes. Technological advances— such as the Internet— have been immensely transformative in culture. ”

To help you get started with brainstorming for your fashion topic ideas, we have developed a list of the latest topics that can be used for writing your fashion dissertation.

PhD qualified writers of our team have developed these topics, so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting  a brief research proposal  from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an  introduction  to the problem,  research question , aim and objectives,  literature review ,  along with the proposed  methodology  of research to be conducted.  Let us know  if you need any help in getting started.

Check our  example dissertation  to get an idea of  how to structure your dissertation .

You can review step by step guide on how to write your dissertation  here.

The Best Fashion Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: an investigation into the impact of fashion choices on the cultural values of the consumers..

Research Aim: The research aims to conduct an investigation into the impact of fashion choices on impacting cultural values of the consumers.

Objectives:

• To evaluate the factors impacting the fashion trends.
• To analyse the relationship between fashion choices and the perceptions of the consumers.
• To investigate how the fashion choices of the consumers impact their cultural values and social identity.

Topic 2: An investigation into the relevance of culture on social accountability and natural fabric selection by fashion consumers.

Research Aim: The research aims to investigate the relevance of culture on social accountability and natural fabric selection by fashion consumers.

• To analyse the influence of culture on customers’ fashion choices.
• To evaluate the impact of social accountability in the fashion industry.
• To investigate how social accountability and natural fabric selection are influenced by culture.

Topic 3: An assessment of the impact of global culture on UK fashion trends.

Research Aim: The research aims to analyse the impact of global culture on UK fashion trends.

• To analyse the impact of global culture on fashion and the perception of the consumers.
• To determine the effect of culture on fashion trends and emerging choices of silhouettes.
• To examine the ways in which the global culture has impacted the fashion trends in the UK.

Topic 4: The relationship of religion with the fashion choices of the consumers in the UK.

Research Aim: To analyse the relationship of religion with the fashion choices of consumers in the UK.

• To analyse the influence of religion on the choice of clothing and fashion sense of the consumers.
• To evaluate the impact of religion on reinforcing tradition through fashion.
• To investigate the impact of religion on the individuality and fashion choices of consumers in the UK.

Topic 5: An assessment of the evolution of fashion trends and colour choices in the UK.

Research Aim: The research aims to conduct an assessment of the evolution of fashion trends and colour choices in the UK

• To analyse the evolution of fashion in the UK since the 1900s.
• To understand the factors impacting the colour choices of apparel in the UK
• To abases the factors impacting the evolution of fashion trends and colour choices in the UK.

Covid-19 Fashion Dissertation Topics

Impacts of covid-19 on the fashion industry.

Research Aim: This study will highlight the impacts of coronavirus on the fashion industry

The role of the fashion industry during the Coronavirus pandemic

Research Aim: Covid-19 has disrupted all industries, including the fashion industry. All textile and luxury brands were paused during the global lockdown. This study will investigate how the fashion industry has contributed to combating the coronavirus pandemic.

Impacts of COVID-19 on people and their culture

Research Aim: The lockdown situation during the COVID-19 crisis has affected the people and their culture. This study will address those issues and the role of the public in maintaining a safe environment.

Coronavirus and the creative sector

Research Aim: This study will highlight the impacts of coronavirus on the creative sector, the planning, and innovations to overcome the consequences of COVID-19.

The future of fashion, cultural and creative sector after COVID-19

Research Aim: This study will predict the future of the fashion, cultural, and creative sectors after COVID-19 by highlighting the challenges, various methods to overcome those challenges.

Fashion Dissertation Topics For Students

Topic 1: wool vs. synthetic wool.

Research Aim: This research aims to identify the difference between wool and synthetic wool

Topic 2: The growing popularity of natural fabrics

Research Aim: This research aims to address the growing popularity of the natural fabric

Topic 3: Fashion designing in demand

Research Aim: This research aims to evaluate the demand for fashion designing

Topic 4: Occasion Shopping Vs. Obsession with shopping

Research Aim: This research aims to evaluate occasion shopping and obsession with shopping

Fashion Dissertation Topics for 2024

Topic 1: analysing the role of fashion in re-shaping western-cultural values: a case study of any western country..

Research Aim: Fashion has always played a significant role in everyone’s life. The research aims to analyse the role and importance of fashion in re-shaping and moulding Western cultural values.

Topic 2: How modern fashion of the 21st century represents the political and cultural ideals of the current era

Research Aim: Since the last few decades, the fashion industry has played a prominent role in influencing cultural values. However, this research will be focusing on how the modern fashion of the 21st century represents the political and cultural ideals of the current era.

Topic 3: How has western culture influenced the living standards and preferences of Asian Consumers: A case study of Pakistan and India

Research Aim: The main aim of the research is to analyse and find out how western culture has influenced the living standards and buying preferences of Asian consumers. It is a well-researched argument that The Western world and its culture influence Asian consumers. Therefore, this research will focus on consumers of Pakistan and India and how their buy decisions might be affected by western culture.

Topic 4: Assessing the fashion trends of royal families around the world: Comparative analysis of the UK and Saudi Arabia

Research Aim: Royal families have always been subjected to classy fashion trends, creating an intense impression on the general public. The main focus of the research is to assess the fashion trends of royal families around the world, with a specific focus on the UK and Saudi Arabia.

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Iconography Dissertation Topics

For centuries, fashion has remained connected to the world of celebrities and music, reflecting ever-changing cultural trends. Iconography-based dissertations may discuss the role of icons in fashion and art from a historical perspective.

The iconography subject primarily provides insight into the celebrity culture to understand how they are used and portrayed to promote a certain fashion trend. Some interesting fashion dissertation titles in this field of study are listed below:

• The involvement of affluent female consumers in the fashion industry
• Cultural modernity and fashion journalism in Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai
• Alexander McQueen and the perception of fashion – A case study of the five fashion shows
• The impact of fashion journalism on the current fashion industry
• Mad for Madonna: The high and low fashions of Eighties pop culture
• Lady Gaga : Glamorous fashions of the music industry
• Selena Gomez : The teenage style icon for casual fashion
• Eminently Eminem: Fashions of the rapping culture
• James Dean and the Café Culture
• Beyond the Pink: (Post) Youth Iconography in Cinema
• Investigating the impact of celebrity culture on the fashion industry with a particular focus on females’ fashion clothing consumption
• Do celebrity-endorsed advertisements in fashion magazines influence the purchase intentions of generation Y?

Also Read: Psychology Dissertation Topics for 2021

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service , which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service !

History Of Fashion Dissertation Topics

Charles Frederick Worth was the first known fashion designer who sewed his label into garments, laying the foundation for the modern fashion industry, including individual designers, fashion houses, and firms. Fashion history dissertations typically use pictorial analysis to draw specific comparisons between the fashion trends of different ages. There is a wide array of research topics to choose from in this very interesting and entertaining field of fashion and culture. Some fashion history dissertation topics are listed below to get you started without any further delays.

• Fashion and Technology: Major fashion trends of the 21st century
• The material culture of women’s accessories – Feminine display, race formation and middle-class performance (1825-1925)
• Investigating American fashion trends through the decades: 1950-2010
• Investigating British fashion trends through the decades: 1910-2010
• Cultural transformation: Feminism in the American fashion industry between 1930 and 1980
• Studying men’s fashion in Britain since 1800y
• How English wedding dresses have evolved over the years – The history and origins
• The impact of ethnic clothing on fashion trends in the UK
• Fools and jesters through the ages
• Women’s shoe fashion trends from 1700 to 2000
• Fifties fashions on the streets today
• Entering the era of liberalism: A closer look at the fashion trends of the 1920s

Fashion Design Dissertation Topics

Fashion designing can be described as the application of aesthetics and design to apparel and accessories. Both social and cultural factors influence fashion design which changes with place and time. In general, fashion designers’ responsibilities include but are not limited to designing apparel and accessories and anticipating varying consumer trends before the product is brought onto the market.

The primary aim of fashion designers is to design clothes that are functional and pleasing to the eye. Fashion design dissertations include research studies on the use of illegal material such as fur, regional styles and traditions, and the relationship between fashion design and leisure activities such as sports and theatre. Some interesting fashion design research questions can be explored in the following subjects:

• How the ball gown has evolved over the decades
• Fashion and Sports: The evolution of swimwear from early to modern
• The influence of Shetland’s textile culture on fashion design
• The modish Victorian challenge to design a bodice
• The eta of manmade dress material: 1900-2000
• Clothing of importance: The tuxedo and the suit since 1800
• Investigating the history and evolution of the hat
• Exploring the differences between UK urban and rural fashion design over the last two decades
• Historical importance of fur with respect to clothing
• Use of alternative materials for clothing

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Children’s Apparel Dissertation Topics

Any form of clothing designed specifically for children can be categorised as children’s apparel. It should be noted that children’s clothing is almost always more sensual and funky than adult clothing. In recent times, gender-based children’s clothing has attracted substantial attention in the world of fashion.

Nonetheless, children’s fashion is an extremely diverse and imaginative market that presents attractive business opportunities. Children’s fashion incorporates emblematic and symbolic imagery – especially relating to the fairytale, folk-lore, and hero-worship, more than any other type of Western clothing. Below are listed some key debates, ideas and discussions which would make enjoyable and  challenging research topics :

• Modern sociology of children and consumption
• Investigating the clothing needs of children with disabilities
• A qualitative study about fashion trends in Western children clothing
• Moral Failure: How media portrays teen girls as a symbol of sex
• School uniforms designs – Society’s attitudes and perceptions
• Embracing ambiguity in the historiography of children’s dress
• Sweet girls and cool boys – A qualitative study to understand the relationship between children’s clothing and gender
• The origin of the motif
• Chains, T-Shirts, and baggy trousers: The meaning of skateboard culture
• Halloween: Fashion and the children’s imagination
• Superheroes: Symbolism and representation in fantastic fashions

Fashion Entrepreneurship Dissertation Topics

A person who owns and possesses a fashion idea, venture or enterprise is a fashion entrepreneur. The activities of a fashion entrepreneur are confined within the boundaries of the fashion industry.

Creating knowledge-sharing platforms and addressing structural and social issues are some of the most important fashion entrepreneurship elements. Starting a new fashion business can be extremely daunting, especially if the economic climate is not suitable. There is a wide array of dissertation topics available in this particular field of study:

• Analysing fashion design entrepreneurship – Challenges and Opportunities
• Factors affecting the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK fashion industry – A case study of any five enterprises
• The impact of digital marketing on the performance of small and medium scale fashion business organisations in the UK
• Studying iconic women entrepreneurs engaged in the fashion industry
• Fashion enterprise and entrepreneurship education – Guidance for potential fashion entrepreneurs
• Developing a viable business plan for a fashion brand
• The making of the female entrepreneur in the world of fashion
• To study the failure and success factors affecting apparel businesses.
• The importance of the role of trade fairs in the international fashion business
• Social media marketing for luxury fashion brands
• Contemporary issues in fashion marketing

List of Latest Trending Dissertation Topics

• The rise of sustainable fashion and its impact on consumer behaviour in a post-pandemic world.
• Deconstructing cultural appropriation in the digital age: The case of fast fashion and social media trends.
• The influence of streetwear on high fashion
• Exploring the rise of gender-fluid clothing and its cultural significance.
• The body positive movement and its impact on representation in fashion advertising and media.
• The second-hand clothing market boom: A response to environmental concerns or a shift in consumer values?
• Fashion as a tool for social activism
• The impact of globalisation on traditional textile production and craftsmanship
• Artificial intelligence and fashion design
• The digital revolution and the rise of virtual fashion
• Sustainable materials and innovation in the fashion industry
• The ethical implications of fast fashion production
• The role of cultural heritage in contemporary fashion design
• The influence of technology on fashion retail
• The representation of diversity and inclusion in fashion campaigns
• Streetwear as a global phenomenon
• The rise of athleisure
• The impact of social media on body image and the pressure to conform to fashion trends.
• Luxury fashion in the digital age
• The future of fashion education
• The impact of celebrity culture on fashion trends
• The influence of gaming and esports on fashion trends and brand collaborations.
• Exploring the concept of slow fashion
• The role of clothing in self-expression and positive body image.

Important Notes:

As a fashion student looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment with existing fashion theories – i.e., to add value and interest to your research topic.

Fashion and culture are vast and interrelated to many other academic disciplines like civil engineering ,  construction ,  law , and even  healthcare . That is why it is imperative to create a fashion dissertation topic that is articular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic based on your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong: your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, and there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in  writing your dissertation , as you may end up in a cycle of rejection at the initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

While developing a research topic, keeping our advice in mind will allow you to pick one of the best fashion dissertation topics that fulfil your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and be practically implemented. Please look at some of our sample fashion and culture dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How To Structure Your Fashion Dissertation

A well-structured   dissertation can help students   to achieve a high overall academic grade.

• A Title Page
• Acknowledgements
• Declaration
• Abstract: A summary of the research completed
• Table of Contents
• Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can  also be added to this chapter.
• Literature Review :  This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analysing published and unpublished literature on the chosen research topic to address  research questions . The purpose is to highlight and discuss the selected research area’s relative weaknesses and strengths while identifying research gaps. Break down the topic and key terms that can positively impact your dissertation and your tutor.
• Methodology: The  data collection  and  analysis  methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter, which usually includes  research design,  research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods and  data analysis strategy .
• Findings and Analysis: Findings of the research are analysed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include  graphs ,  charts  and  tables  in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
• Discussion and Conclusion:  The researcher presents his interpretation of the results in this chapter and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section is establishing the link between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regard to the implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
• References:  Make sure to complete this according to your University’s requirements
• Bibliography
• Appendices: Any additional information, diagrams, and graphs used to  complete the dissertation  but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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ResearchProspect is a  UK-based academic writing service that provides help with  Dissertation Proposal Writing ,  PhD. Proposal Writing ,  Dissertation Writing ,  Dissertation Editing and Improvement .

Our team of writers is highly qualified and is an expert in their respective fields. They have been working for us for a long time. Thus, they are well aware of the issues and the trends of the subject they specialise in. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to find fashion dissertation topic.

To discover a fashion dissertation topic:

• Analyse cultural influences on fashion.
• Explore historical and contemporary trends.
• Consider cultural appropriation debates.
• Investigate sustainability in fashion.
• Examine fashion’s role in identity.
• Select a topic resonating with your passion and research scope.

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International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research

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• 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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104 Fast Fashion Essay Topics & Fast Fashion Research Questions

Looking for fast fashion essay topics and discussion questions? Look no further! Here, you will find best fast fashion titles related to environmental and ethical problems of fast fashion industry and its sustainable alternatives.

🔝 Top 10 Fast Fashion Essay Topics

🏆 best fast fashion topic ideas & essay examples, 🔎 interesting fast fashion topics to write about, 💡 good fast fashion research topics, ❓ fast fashion research questions, 🤔 discussion questions about fast fashion.

• Fast Fashion and Body Image
• Strategies to Reduce Textile Waste
• Working Conditions in Fast Fashion
• The Carbon Footprint of Fast Fashion
• The Psychological Impact of Fast Fashion
• The Impact of Fast Fashion on Local Artisans
• Cultural Aspects of Fast Fashion’s Global Reach
• The Ethics of Fast Fashion Borrowing from Different Cultures
• The Role of Fashion Influencers in Promoting Fast Fashion
• The Societal Implications of a Disposable Fashion Culture
• The Effects of the Fast Fashion Industry on the World This led to the creation of shops that made garments to meet the needs of such a category of people in the community.
• Fast Fashion’s Negative Impact on the Environment And this is the constant increase in production capacity, the low quality of the product, and the use of the labor of the population of developing countries.
• Fast Fashion and Sustainability This paper includes a brief analysis of the ways to address consumers’ fashion-related needs and reduce the negative environmental impact of the fast industry.
• Zara, H&M, United Colors of Benetton: Supplying Fast Fashion Benetton has adopted the technology strategy in its distribution by automating its warehouse activities to store, pack, and assemble individual orders for all its retail outlets.
• Just in Time: Management Operations in the Fast Fashion Industry Sourcing is implemented using the famous lean or Just in Time (JIT) models. This means that required materials are acquired and delivered whenever they are needed.
• Fast Fashion and Ethical Consumption A narrative literature review is selected to analyse and synthesise available information on the impact of fast fashion on society. The integration of articles is expected to reveal the gaps, tendencies, and limitations that exist […]
• Child Labor in the Fast Fashion Industry To free girls from this choice and reduce the presence of kids in factories, it is necessary to combat poverty in rural areas actively.
• Fast Fashion Brand Advantages and Risks in Chinese Market The paper also looked at the risks that the fast fashion brand has to face in the Chinese market and ways in which these risks can be managed to help the organisations consolidate its advantages.
• Fast Fashion Business Model Pros & Cons Specific Purpose: The presentation is meant to inform listeners about the advantages and disadvantages of fast fashion as the business model and discuss possible strategies retailers can use to increase customer attraction.
• How 40 to 50-Year-Old Irish Women Choose Fast Fashion and Why The replication of styles and the use of synthetic materials is meant to ensure that the product is made as affordable as possible while at the same time meeting the expectations of the market.
• Purchase of Fast Fashion Clothing and Ethical & Personal Values On the other hand, the emergence of the practice threatened the aesthetic value and ethical approach based on the utilization of the available facilities.
• Astonishing Success of Zara in the Fast Fashion Industry The origin of the company is the retail group Inditex the headquarters of which is located in Spain. However, The Gap, H&M, and Benetton are called the major competitors of Zara in the study by […]
• ZARA: Chic and Fast Fashion It is evident from the case study that organizations need to observe changing trends in the market in order to cope with the competition. This can be attested by the fact that the company has […]
• Zara: Fast fashion from Savvy Systems These factors contribute in the determination of the internal strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities and threats in the external environment.
• Fast Fashion, and the Corporate Globalization
• Global Fast Fashion: Analysis of Clothing Retailers & Its Competitor
• Fashion and Society: The Impact of Fashion on Our Society
• How Hugely Fast Fashion Is Involved in the Fashion Industry
• Paradigm Innovation Through the Strategic Collaboration Between Toray & Uniqlo: Evolution of a New Fast Fashion Business Model
• Fast Fashion and Its Influence on the Industry in the 21st Century
• The Impact of Healthier Global Consumerism Within Sustainable Fashion
• Marketing Plan for Fast Fashion Products
• Fast Fashion: The Rise of Zara and Uniqlo
• The Fast Fashion Model Spreading Across the Apparel Industry
• Workers and Social Upgrading in Fast Fashion: The Case of the Apparel Industry in Morocco and Romania
• League Supply Chain for the Fast Fashion Industry
• Fast Fashion Achieving Global Quick
• The Impacts of Fast Fashion and Technology on the Fashion Industry
• How Fast Fashion Manipulates People
• Fast Fashion Retailing: Customer and Retailer’s Perceptions
• The Relationship Between the Consumers’ Need for Uniqueness and Purchase Perception of Fast Fashion Co-brands
• Fast Fashion and Sustainable Supply Chain Management
• Why Fast Fashion Is Unethical and Should Be Replaced
• Fast Fashion Has Become a Global Industry
• The Impact of Fast Fashion on the Environment, Human Health, and Employees
• Fast Fashion and Impact of Technology
• Logistics Performance Measurement for Sustainability in the Fast Fashion Industry
• Fast Fashion and Barriers to New Entrants
• Zara: Information Technology for Fast Fashion
• Fast Fashion Versus Luxury Fashion
• Fashion Marketing: E-Tailing and Fast Fashion Brands
• A Career in Fast Fashion
• Supply Chain Management for the Fast Fashion Industry
• What Is the Challenge of Keeping up With Fast Fashion Products
• Material Culture and Environmental Woes: Devotion to Fast Fashion
• Fast Fashion: The Consequences of the Fashion Industry
• What Fast Fashion Is, and to Know Which Factors Influence Fast Fashion
• Fast Fashion Feedback and Imitation of Fashion Trends
• Consumers’ Attitudes Towards the Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion Speed
• Fast Fashion Industry: Growth of Zara and Inditex
• The Fast Fashion Industry Promotes a Culture of Obsolescence
• Negative Effects of Fast Fashion on the Environment
• Fast Fashion Supply Chain Management
• Fashion Flow Theories: Misconceptions on Fashion and Fast Fashion
• What Are the Pros and Cons of Fast Fashion?
• How Has Marketing Strategy Changed Within the Fast Fashion Industry?
• How Can We Stop Fast Fashion Waste?
• How Do You Spot Fast Fashion?
• How Is Fast Fashion Bad for the Economy?
• What Would Happen if Fast Fashion Stopped?
• What’s Wrong With Fast Fashion?
• How Fast Fashion Manipulates People?
• What Is a Fast Fashion Example?
• What Are the Social Impacts of Fast Fashion?
• Why Is Fast Fashion a Social Justice Issue?
• Is Fast Fashion Eco Friendly?
• What Will Happen if We Don’t Stop Fast Fashion?
• Who Consumes Fast Fashion the Most?
• How Much Waste Is Produced by Fast Fashion?
• How Much Pollution Does the Fashion Industry Produce?
• Why Should We Stop Buying Fast Fashion?
• What Would Happen if Everyone Stopped Buying Clothes?
• What Are the Benefits of Fast Fashion?
• How Is Fast Fashion Killing the Earth?
• What Is Fast Fashion, and to Know Which Factor Influences Fast Fashion?
• How Will Fast Fashion Affect the Future?
• How Does Fast Fashion Affect the Environment?
• How Does Fashion Cause Pollution?
• How Hugely Fast Fashion Is Involved in the Fashion Industry?
• What Can the Government Do About Fast Fashion?
• What 3 Things Define Fast Fashion?
• How Much Money Does Fast Fashion Make?
• Who Is Being Affected by Fast Fashion?
• How Is Fast Fashion Destroying the World?
• How Does Fast Fashion Differ from Traditional Fashion Manufacturing Practices?
• How Did Fast Fashion Contribute to Environmental Issues?
• What Are the Ethical Concerns Associated with Fast Fashion?
• How Does the Fast Fashion Business Model Contribute to Overconsumption?
• What Are the Implications of Fast Fashion on Consumer Behavior?
• How Do Fast Fashion Companies Keep Up with Changing Trends?
• What Are the Effects of Fast Fashion on Local Economies?
• How Can Consumers Make More Responsible Choices Regarding Fast Fashion?
• What Are the Sustainable Alternatives to Fast Fashion?
• How Do Brands Address Issues of Transparency in the Fast Fashion Industry?
• Louis Vuitton Essay Topics
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• Retailing Essay Titles
• Subculture Research Topics
• Cosmetics Titles
• Brand Titles
• Perfume Essay Titles
• Family Businesses Questions
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A Study on Fast Fashion Sustainability: A Qualitative Inquiry

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RESEARCH METHODS IN FASHION DESIGN: IT'S COMPILATION AND IMPORTANCE IN DESIGN PROCESS

2018, TRANSSTELLAR JOURNALS

Research is the systematic and creative investigation that will yield so many ideas in terms of appropriate use of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. The impact of intensity of research is directly proportional to the output of the project. It resolves various purposes during the commencement of the design process starting from investigating the project, explorations, prototyping till the final product development stage. This paper aims to understand the importance of research, types of research and research methods in design, visual research analysis, design brief and research compilation. The data presented in the paper is a result of continuous involvement in teaching pedagogy in fashion design and is derived from the fashion design projects guided at different levels. This research can be used as a guideline to conduct research for any fashion design project by students or professionals.

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TJPRC Publication

In the fashion design process, once the range is finalized, prototypes or samples are developed using fabric which is closer to the fabric selected for the final collection (Mckelvey and Munslow (2007)). This is done in order to evaluate the look, proportions, size, fit and fall of the garment. They are checked to evaluate the overall translation of the theme as well as well as its appropriateness for the market. This main aim of this study is to have an overview of the stages of converting sketches into actual garments. At this stage, it is made sure not to change the minute detail and develop the garment as per the flat specifications. The garment may undergo redesign to incorporate required changes. This is a slow and arduous, however satisfying stage for a designer as his efforts are visible. The entire study has been supported with the examples extracted from either accomplished or ongoing projects. This is also an attempt to know different methods of making prototypes using different 2D and 3D techniques. This will also give a glance on the importance of feedback and its application in the production is an important element to understand in this chapter.

Visual imagery has been source of communication before the inception of language, script, knowledge formulation and deliverance processes. Visual imagery is not only a form of strong communication, but also a form of perception based on interpretative science, allowing the human mind to connect with colors, forms, visual & tactile textures, cultural references and metaphorical meanings. A visual delivers complete impact on human brain for the formulation of composing meaningfulness. Digital design tools are adopted today by masses, bringing the designing aptitude in the hands of people. It gives people the power to create and convert imagination in real time. The pace of design, development and imagination is fast. Digital design tools are no more restricted to creation of designs, but provide quick transformation and execution with utmost sensitivity (technologies evolving at a continuous pace). While the design tools are accessible and user friendly to people with multi-cultural exchange and exposure; inkjet digital printing technology in textiles has created new phase of metaphoric imagination. The source of design inspiration has expanded tremendously due to incorporation of scanned and photographic surfaces/images increasingly in Textile Design. This research paper explores the new language of visual simulation as an inspiration and metaphor in design, especially with adaptation of digital printing technology in fashion and textiles.

All art forms influence and inspire each other. Fashion too does not exist in isolation. Fashion is one of the important art forms which can be influenced and inspired by paintings, sculpture, architecture, music etc. Cubism was an avant-garde modern art movement which had a huge impact on all art forms. Cubism was characterized by simultaneous perspective, geometrical fractured forms, muted depthless colors etc. Later part of Cubism was marked by the development of newer techniques like collage, photomontage and assemblage where textures was added to the composition in the form of sand, letters and other found objects in bright colors. The present study was undertaken to compare Cubism paintings with costumes of this era to evaluate the possibilities of interrelationship between fashion and cubism. Garments of this era were analyzed for color, silhouettes, embellishments and fabrics to find parallel influences with paintings during 1906 to 1930. From the above study, it was found that Paintings during Cubism influenced silhouette, color, texture and embellishments of the costumes worn in this era. Synthetic cubism gave rise to newer techniques like bias cut, creating textures with pin tucks, beads, and lace with creation of new fabrics like Rayon. Thus, proving that there is parallel influence of Cubism art movement on fashion.

TRANSTELLAR jOURNALS

Fashion Design is known and recognized for creativity and innovations in clothing, accessories, jewellary, footwear etc. It is basically an art being applied by the creative designers for producing creative, innovative, affordable, sustainable and standard products. But, previously the focus was given to only creativity and innovation but business skills and management concepts were totally ignored. Customer was considered as last link of the chain, but in the emerging times, fashion design has taken a sharp turn with the advanced tools of information technology, digitalization, social media and business skills. The clothes are to be designed as per the target customers for achieving their delight. Hence, this study has explained the various concepts of digitalization, information technology and tools of social media and found the cooperation among their tools. It was found that the social media has become a very important and powerful tool for business and fashion designers have to design and produce products for the delight of customer by using information technology, social marketing and digital transformation.

Architects and Costume designers both use 3-dimensional space to create shelter for protecting human body. It is a physical expression of any culture to give aesthetic beauty to a new concept. Both disciplines share similar aesthetic expressions influencing each other's style, during an era. Gothic architecture during medieval era was a revolution, resulting in some magnificent structures. Fashion was influenced heavily from architectural styles of this era. The present study was undertaken to find these similar influences in architecture and costumes of Gothic style during medieval era. Key characteristics of architecture were compared with costumes and it was observed that silhouette, color, form, construction, fabrics, embellishments and accessories like shoes and headgear were influenced by the style of architecture.

The versatile draped silhouettes & heritage craft traditions redefined for contemporary connoisseurs; have further led to the rising acceptance of Indian ethnic/ fusion fashion as a paradigm shift for India to discern and emphasize local inimitability, to create a sense of belonging and stimulate consumption of a culturally promoted " Global-Desi " fashion dictum across cultures. This paper presents the study of major factors contributing to the Indian fashion system interpreting its engagement with the Indian society and also the world. This research highlights impact of the Indian Fashion system on the Indian society and its meaning. There is continued interest for classical Indian dress silhouettes, heritage textile crafts, accessories; this study concentrates on outcomes through the lens of history, culture, and sociology of fashion. The neue urban tribes and social movements in the post modern era led emergence of the apparel category daywear including workwear, active wear, leisure wear and casual clothing where the code of fashion seems to blend in and emergence of independents style of dressing to suit individual requirements. The Neue urban tribe creates lasting footprints through interpretation of the Indian Fashion System enroute popular culture; interpretation of ideal beauty, power dressing in the 21 st century Indians and inde fashion statements. The semiotic approach to decode the nuance of the Indian fashion system embedded in popular culture through visual media like, family albums, films, magazine articles, red carpets appearance etc. across the 80's, 90's and 2000 onwards. The neue Indian women perceive the sari, salwarkameez, kurti-tunic, as essential inclusions of their contemporary wardrobes as they rendezvous their global counterpart in quest of cool hunting (Fashion Identity), trendsetting. Thus number and variety in types of fashion apparel will have a positive relationship with the role of women in society and their education level, profession and will provide future trend directions for everyday wear. Operational Definitions Global-Desi (An Indian term for global yet local Indian, glocal; Neue Indians), Khadi (fabric which is hand spun and hand woven in India, often referred as Fabric of freedom) Power Dressing: The practice of dressing in a style intended to show that one holds an important position in business, politics, etc. Born in the second half of the 1970s and developed in the 1980s, power dressing is a fashion style that enables women to establish their authority in a professional and political environment traditionally dominated by men.

International Journal of Textile and Fashion Technology (IJTFT)

The present study was aimed to assess the effect dyeability of gray cotton khadi fabric based on mercerization treatment. This treatment originated by two methods i.e. slack mercerization and mercerization under tension. The fabric samples were treated at the set temperature i.e. 40°C with varying concentrations i.e. 5%, 15% and 25% for different time periods such as 10 min, 20min, and 30min. The pretreated mercerized cotton khadi fabric samples were dyed with 3% concentration of dye using reactive dye and Vat dye. Dyeing was performed in case of all samples i.e. control, slack mercerized and under tension mercerized fabric samples. Different parameters of mercerization treatment such as the concentration of sodium hydroxide palates and time duration of the treatment were taken on the bases of past studies. The percent dye exhaustion of dyed samples was evaluated by comparing slack mercerized and under tension mercerized khadi samples using single beam UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. Both dyes gave the best results with under tension mercerization as compared to the slack mercerization at all the level of treatment in increasing order. Vat dye gave very good results at 3% concentration of dye and 25% concentration of alkali for 30min using under tension mercerization treatment.

The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of increasing automation and artificial intelligence infused gadgetsin the society and on the people. The research study mainly focuses on the job loss, increasing insecurities in the ongoing jobs. The study recommends various steps to be taken formitigation strategies and reduce the negative impact of automation on the society, like increasing the crime rate, Volatility and increasing instability in the market. It also focuses on the various methods which can be adopted for having artificial intelligence sustainable In the development of the society.

International Journal of Mechanical and Production Engineering Research and Development (IJMPERD)

Natural fiber composites are nowadays being used in various engineering applications for the fabrication of lightweight, low cost polymer composites. This is mainly attributed to the use of eco-friendly materials which are easy to use and dispose and has no negative impacts on the environment. The objective of this research work is to experimentally determine the mechanical and thermal properties of Basalt-Banana composite laminates and to find out the degree of improvement due to the addition of Basalt layers on the tensile strength, flexural strength and other properties of Banana fiber composite. Laminates were prepared by hand layup followed by Vacuum-bagging. Each laminate consisting of 5 layers in the intercalated sequence Basalt /Banana/ Basalt/ Banana/ Basalt. The results were finally compared with the existing work on Glass - Banana Fiber composites.

Traditional clothing in India greatly varies across different parts of the country and is influenced by local culture, geography, and climate and ritual urban settings. Decorating materials with embroidery is an ancient tradition and reveals about the lives and customs of particular cultures. Embroidery is a manifestation of the artistic creativity of the people. In India, Todas are found in the Nilgiri District of Tamil Nadu State. The Todas are a small community who live on the isolated Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu. Toda tribes are also famous for their unique embroidery called 'Toda embroidery' which is less known craft to the outside world. Toda tribes are very secluded in nature and very few people know about this tribe and their unique embroidery. Few efforts are being taken by Government and NGO's to preserve Toda embroidery. Thus the present study focuses mainly on preserving their traditional craft. Toda embroidery now only found in cotton shawls and some limited accessories. They are using 2x2 basket weave structures to identify the yarn gauge. Since an effort has been taken to develop linen and bamboo fabrics in mock-leno weave for the application of Toda embroidery on men, women and kids garments and accessories. It also aims at making an indigenous art known to the outside world and to commercialize this traditional craft. It also aims at making the indigenous art known to the outside world. The study would be a step forward to impart new dimensions to the fashion world.

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