Curating the Self: Second-hand Fashion and New York City
Date of Award
Spring 2021
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Sociology
First Advisor
Alexander, Jeffery
Abstract
This dissertation examines why people buy second-hand clothing today in New York City. Given that second-hand clothing is often stigmatized as dirty, smelly, and associated with the “poor,’ how do people make sense of integrating used-clothing as part of their lives? According to the dominant ideology on fashion, power and class warfare drive people’s need for fashion where it serves as a status emblem. This postulation is challenged by used-clothing, making it a fascinating empirical problem.
Recommended Citation
Yangzom, Dicky, "Curating the Self: Second-hand Fashion and New York City" (2021). Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations. 218.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/gsas_dissertations/218