The Meanings of Dress 5th Edition

Bold your curiosity with a fresh look at how clothing shapes who we are. The Meanings of Dress, 5th Edition by Kimberly A. Miller-Spillman, Andrew Reilly, and José Blanco F. invites readers into an engaging, contemporary exploration of dress as communication, identity, and social practice.

This edition blends clear scholarship with real-world relevance, examining dress through cultural, historical, and global lenses. Readers will find thoughtful discussions on identity, gender, race, class, and power—paired with contemporary case studies that connect theory to everyday life. The narrative is accessible for undergraduates while rich enough for scholars, designers, and professionals in fashion, museum studies, and cultural anthropology.

Practical and persuasive, the book demonstrates how garments, adornment, and body practices convey meaning across communities—from urban centers in the United States to diverse traditions in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Its interdisciplinary approach draws on sociology, history, visual culture, and material culture studies, making it an ideal resource for classroom use, research, or personal enrichment.

Whether you’re a student preparing for a career in fashion or a curious reader interested in the cultural power of dress, this text helps you interpret clothing beyond style—revealing the social forces and individual stories stitched into fabric. Clear writing, contemporary examples, and inclusive perspectives make complex ideas approachable and applicable.

Bring a deeper understanding of dress into your library or syllabus. Discover why The Meanings of Dress, 5th Edition is a go-to title for anyone seeking to read clothing as culture, identity, and history—locally and globally.

Note: eBooks do not include supplementary materials such as CDs, access codes, etc.