Fashion Speaks Women’s Voices In Three Waves Of Feminism In The United States

For women,is fashion a pair of oppressive shackles,or a set of liberating keys? What role does it take up during three waves of feminism in the US? With a creative insight to perceive fashion as cultural representation,this thesis has conducted an empirical research based on images recorded in American fashion magazines and mainstream press.With a deconstruction of iconic female images,this thesis aims to unravel the relation between fashion and feminism(women’s identity in particular)within the context of American feminism waves.In terms of the first wave,this thesis has contrasted True Woman with New Woman and analyzed the redefined female identity,along with its shaping forces and impacts.With regard of the second wave,it has noticed that there existed a contradiction between women’s desire for equality and sexuality.The former was encouraged by feminists,with resonance to the feminine mystique,whereas the latter was under the influence of Civil Rights Movement and Counter-mainstream Movement.By virtue of the third wave,it has analyzed the modernizing women’s image.Some showcase their support for feminism by individualized fashion choices,while independent Digital Girls embrace fashionable self-representation on social media with avoidance of feminist labels.Combined with major issues within feminism arena,this distinction demonstrates a diversifying identity of women.Critically recognizing the ambivalence of identity and fashion,this thesis has found that fashion forms spoke for feminists and carried women’s identity message throughout the course,facilitating women’s liberation pursuit.Therefore,this thesis has concluded that feminism and fashion can coexist without a dichotomy,and fashion can function as an identity medium,sharing a close bond with women’s identity.