Fashion is an art form that allows individuals to express themselves through clothing and accessories. It can include everything from hairstyles to makeup, jewelry, tattoos, shoes, and even nail polish. Bodily presentation refers to how people present their bodies, including their physical appearance, posture, mannerisms, gestures, voice, touch, and more. Both are ways for individuals to communicate who they are or who they want others to perceive them as being. In this way, fashion and bodily presentation can be understood as practices negotiating identity, visibility, and becoming.
One way that fashion and bodily presentation can be used to negotiate identity is by signaling social status or membership in certain groups.
Someone may wear expensive designer clothes to show that they have money and belong to a certain class or group. Similarly, wearing religious clothing can signal one's beliefs and values, such as dressing modestly to conform to Islamic principles. Wearing military attire can indicate national pride and loyalty. This practice of using fashion and bodily presentation to represent oneself or signal affiliation to a particular community is often referred to as signifying.
Another way that fashion and bodily presentation can be seen as practices negotiating identity is by challenging normative gender roles and expectations. Many transgender and non-binary people use fashion and bodily presentation to express their true selves despite society's binary conceptions of masculinity and femininity. Drag performers also use fashion and bodily presentation to challenge traditional notions of gender and sexuality through elaborate costumes and makeup. These acts serve as an important form of resistance against societal pressures to conform to strict gender norms.
Fashion and bodily presentation can also be viewed as practices negotiating visibility and becoming. By selecting certain clothing items or hairstyles, people can change how they are perceived by others.
Someone might wear bright colors and patterns to draw attention to themselves and stand out from the crowd. They could do this to express themselves creatively or to attract partners who share similar interests. Fashion and bodily presentation can be used to create a sense of self-empowerment, which has been shown to lead to higher levels of self-esteem and confidence in personal relationships.
Some critics argue that fashion and bodily presentation can reinforce dominant power structures rather than subverting them.
Fatphobia and racism can manifest through the fashion industry's promotion of thin white bodies as idealized standards. It is essential to consider these critiques when analyzing the role of fashion and bodily presentation in shaping social identities and perceptions.
Fashion and bodily presentation can be understood as practices negotiating identity, visibility, and becoming. Through signifying, challenging normative gender roles, creating a sense of empowerment, and resisting oppressive systems, individuals have used these practices to communicate their values, beliefs, and desires.
It is crucial to recognize that there may be unintended consequences and potential limitations to such expressions.
Can fashion and bodily presentation be understood as practices negotiating identity, visibility, and becoming?
Fashion and bodily presentation are important ways for individuals to communicate their identities, express themselves, and make meaningful connections with others. These practices play a significant role in how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us. It is also an effective tool to navigate social situations and create new relationships. As such, these practices can be seen as ongoing processes of negotiation between oneself and the world around us, including our communities and cultures.