Introducing Fashion Theory

Book excerpt: 1. Introduction to Theory Introduction Why use theory? -- What is fashion? Who has fashion? Fashioning the body The tipping point Semiotics Modern, postmodern, post-postmodern -- 2. The Fashion System Introduction Market infrastructure theory -- Trickle across theory Innovation theory Historic resurrection Branding -- 3. Fashion and the Individual Introduction The public, private, and secret self Body image Aesthetic perception and learning -- Historic continuity theory The individual and society -- 4. Fashion and Society Introduction Trickle-down theory Trickle-up theory Scarcity/rarity Conspicuous consumption Political use of dress Gender -- 5. -- Fashion and Culture Introduction -- Zeitgeist Spatial diffusion -- 6. Conclusion One phenomenon, many theories Fashion blunders.