CLOTHING AND CULTURAL EXPRESSION

Abstract

This article investigates the role of clothing as a vital medium of cultural expression across diverse societies. Clothing functions not only as protection but also as a symbolic language conveying identity, social status, gender, ethnicity, and group affiliation. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies, the article examines how dress practices articulate cultural values, historical narratives, and power relations. Case studies highlight how clothing serves as a dynamic site of negotiation between tradition and modernity, resistance and conformity, and local and global influences. The article underscores the significance of clothing in maintaining cultural continuity and facilitating cultural change.