Files and links (1)
KanupriyaD_Anth_PhD_Dec19
Embargoed Access, Embargo ends: 02/26/2028
Dissertation
FABRICATING IDENTITIES: SARTORIAL EXPRESSIONS AND ACCOMMODATIONS MADE BY SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN IN CONTEMPORARY USA
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
2025
Abstract
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 of ‘Hidden’ South Asian garments, ‘Hung’ everyday western clothes and ‘Framed’ symbolic and decorative textiles.
Metrics
1 Record Views
Details
- Title
- FABRICATING IDENTITIES: SARTORIAL EXPRESSIONS AND ACCOMMODATIONS MADE BY SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN IN CONTEMPORARY USA
- Creators
- Kanupriya Dhawan
- Contributors
- Clare M. Wilkinson (Advisor)Marsha PhD Quinlan (Committee Member)Nishant PhD Shahani (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Anthropology
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 262
- Identifiers
- 99901356973101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation