The Dress Practice Interview was an exciting assignment for me because it made me learn much more about my friend’s dress practice. The reason I chose Joyce was her cultural background difference. As Sophie Woodward said in her book “Why Women Wear What They Wear”:
“In selecting women to work with, one of my primary concerns was being able to get the ethnographic depth that I needed…”
Joyce was born and raised in a Muslim majority country with a Jewish heritage. The most exciting part for me to learn was if her dressing practice was affected by her family religion, but also from her hometown’s belief. I asked Joyce several questions, and we talked about her dress practice, her closet organization, and much more about the perspective she has towards clothes.
The most surprising thing for me was how Joyce’s dress practice is based on comfortability. Whenever I see Joyce from the day we met until today, we always see each other at birthdays, restaurants, and bars so I have ever known the fancy side of her closet with a touch of makeup. It is understandable to me how her daily life outfits are loose and comfortable clothes because her school program is so intensive. Also, I would expect a much-organized closet from Joyce because she has some obsessions about cleaning and tidiness. I regularly organize my closet because I like to look at my clothes and easily find them. My dress practice is much more different than hers; my daily routine takes about one hour every morning, and I try to dress pleasantly every day because I think clothes are an essential thing which reflects us to the outside world. Joyce’s dress practice did take shape from her hardworking school life, whereas mine took form from the class and social status I have. After my interview with Joyce, I realized how everybody has a unique dress practice. People have different bodies, and they also have different standards about their clothing based on their background, experiences, and perspectives. Talking with someone about how they dress and organize their closet is an excellent way to get to know someone more personally and deeply.
Bibliography:
- Woodward, Sophie. Why Women Wear What They Wear. Oxford: Berg, 2007.
