(Re-)Claiming Bodies Through Fashion and Style: Gendered Configurations in Muslim Contexts

This book explores how clothing, style, and fashion are gendered and embodied, but also become "religionized" phenomena, particularly in the context of Islam. It investigates how Muslims negotiate concepts and interpretations of Islam through their clothing and construct their intersectionally interwoven position in the world. It highlights the agency and creativity of women as they appropriate ways of performing and interpreting Muslim clothing and body practices, and how they deal with empowering and restrictive situations. The book draws on contemporary scholars from diverse disciplinary backgrounds to problematize and complicate the interactions between gender, fashion, spirituality, religion, class, and ethnicity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 317 pages
Publication date: 06 July 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate and multifaceted realm of dressing, style, and fashion as gendered and embodied phenomena, but also as deeply "religionized" elements, particularly focusing on one significant global religion: Islam. Through their clothing choices, Muslims engage in a dynamic negotiation process, exploring and interpreting the core principles of Islam while simultaneously constructing their unique and interconnected position in the world. By examining the intricate interconnections between "fashionized religion," "religionized fashion," commercialization, and processes of feminization, this book offers a fresh perspective on gendered forms of religiosity and spirituality.

At the heart of this exploration lies a profound focus on the agency and creativity of women as they embrace and appropriate various modalities of Muslim clothing and body practices. The book delves into the ways in which these social actors navigate empowering conditions as well as restrictive situations, shaping their experiences and expressions of faith in unique and profound ways.

To accomplish this, the book draws upon a diverse range of contemporary scholars from various disciplinary backgrounds, theoretical frameworks, and methodological approaches. By problematizing and complicating the discursive and lived interactions and intersections between gender, fashion, spirituality, religion, class, and ethnicity, this book provides a rich tapestry of insights that will appeal to a broad audience of researchers interested in gender, sociology of religion, Islamic studies, and fashion studies.

In conclusion, this book is a groundbreaking contribution to the field, offering a fresh and insightful perspective on the complex relationship between gender, fashion, spirituality, religion, and society. It challenges traditional notions and provides valuable insights into the ways in which individuals and communities navigate the intersections of these diverse aspects of their lives, shaping their identities and experiences in profound and meaningful ways.

Weight: 442g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030719432
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021