FABRICATING IDENTITIES: SARTORIAL EXPRESSIONS AND ACCOMMODATIONS MADE BY SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN IN  CONTEMPORARY USA

Kanupriya Dhawan

doi:10.7273/000008396

FABRICATING IDENTITIES: SARTORIAL EXPRESSIONS AND ACCOMMODATIONS MADE BY SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN IN CONTEMPORARY USA

Kanupriya Dhawan

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University

12/2025

https://doi.org/10.7273/000008396

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KanupriyaD_Anth_PhD_Dec194.32 MB

Embargoed Access, 02/26/2028

Everyday Clothing Choices

Gender and Migration

Negotiating Visibility

South Asian Diaspora

Gender studies

Ethnography

Material Culture

This dissertation examines how South Asian women in Portland, USA, negotiate cultural identity through clothing. I introduce the term ‘Strategic Sartorial Essentialism’ to describe how women selectively express their desi identity in response to occasion, audience and perceived risk. Findings from participant observation at various event, from in- depth Zoom interviews and in-person wardrobe analysis show how western clothes become the default everyday clothing, and South Asian is reserved for special occasions. The wardrobe analysis further identifies three patterns that embody this practice ‘Hidden’ South Asian garments, ‘Hung’ everyday western clothes and ‘Framed’ symbolic and decorative textiles.

: FABRICATING IDENTITIES
: Kanupriya Dhawan
: Clare M. Wilkinson (Chair)
Marsha Quinlan (Committee Member)
Nishant Shahani (Committee Member)
: Washington State University
: Department of Anthropology
: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
: 262
: 99901356973101842
: English
: Dissertation