Stories We Wear : Status, Spectacle And The Politics Of Appearance | Hardcover

Stories We Wear: Status, Spectacle and the Politics of Appearance by Shefalee Vasudev examines how clothing, style, and appearance shape identity in contemporary India. Drawing on more than twenty-five years of observing fashion and culture, the author explores the meanings people attach to what they wear and how dress can communicate power, belonging, resistance, humility, or grief. This thought-provoking work is ideal for readers interested in fashion, culture, society, and the ways personal appearance reflects broader social realities.

Moving across diverse settings—from villages and cafés to burn wards, cremation grounds, and social media feeds—the book considers how clothing intersects with history, politics, and everyday life. It presents fashion not merely as personal expression but as a lens through which to understand modern India's aspirations, contradictions, and evolving identities.

About This Book

Stories We Wear: Status, Spectacle and the Politics of Appearance explores the cultural language of dress through a series of observations and reflections on Indian society. Shefalee Vasudev investigates how appearance influences the way people see themselves and others, revealing the complex relationship between clothing, identity, and social perception.

The book also examines subjects such as the contested legacy of khadi, the symbolism of airport fashion, portrayals of anti-heroines in Hindi OTT dramas, and debates surrounding ethical fashion. By connecting these varied themes, it offers a nuanced perspective on how people construct, conceal, and communicate their identities through what they wear.

What You'll Discover

• The relationship between clothing, identity, and social perception.
• Reflections on fashion as a form of belonging and resistance.
• Perspectives on khadi, ethical fashion, and contemporary Indian culture.
• Insights into style across diverse social and cultural settings.
• Discussions of appearance in media, public spaces, and everyday life.
• An exploration of the contradictions that shape modern Indian identity.

Perfect For

• Readers interested in fashion and culture.
• Students and researchers of society and identity.
• Readers exploring contemporary India.
• Those interested in cultural commentary and non-fiction.

Why You'll Love This Book

Stories We Wear: Status, Spectacle and the Politics of Appearance offers an insightful examination of how clothing reflects identity, history, and society. By connecting fashion with culture and everyday experience, it provides readers with a thoughtful perspective on the many ways appearance shapes modern life in India.