Women, Clothing, Work: How Gender Inequality is Dressed

By Mayra Cotta and Thais Farage

A groundbreaking book that explores the relationship between women's clothing, work, and gender inequality.

In Women, Clothing, Work, Mayra Cotta and Thais Farage argue that the way women dress is a powerful tool that can be used to both reinforce and challenge gender inequality. They draw on a wealth of research to show how women's clothing is often used to objectify and sexualize women, limit their opportunities in the workplace, and perpetuate the idea that women are inferior to men.

But Cotta and Farage also show how women can use clothing to resist these oppressive forces. They highlight the stories of women who have used clothing to express their individuality, assert their power, and challenge the status quo.

Women, Clothing, Work is a must-read for anyone interested in gender inequality, fashion, or the history of women's rights. It is a powerful and inspiring book that will change the way you think about the clothes you wear.

Praise for Women, Clothing, Work

"A groundbreaking book that sheds new light on the relationship between women's clothing, work, and gender inequality. Cotta and Farage provide a wealth of evidence to show how women's clothing is often used to oppress women, but they also show how women can use clothing to resist these oppressive forces. This is a must-read for anyone interested in gender inequality, fashion, or the history of women's rights." — Roxane Gay, author of Bad Feminist

"A powerful and inspiring book that will change the way you think about the clothes you wear. Cotta and Farage offer a nuanced and intersectional analysis of the relationship between women's clothing, work, and gender inequality. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the role that clothing plays in shaping women's lives." — Kathleen Stock, author of Material Girls: Why Reality Matters for Feminism

"A must-read for anyone interested in fashion, gender, or social justice. Cotta and Farage provide a comprehensive and thought-provoking analysis of the relationship between women's clothing, work, and gender inequality. This book is a valuable contribution to the literature on gender and fashion." — Sarah Banet-Weiser, author of Authentic

About the Authors

Mayra Cotta is a professor of sociology at the University of São Paulo. She is the author of several books, including Moda e Gênero (2016) and O Corpo Feminino na Moda (2019).

Thais Farage is a professor of fashion studies at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. She is the author of several books, including Moda e Identidade (2017) and Moda e Sustentabilidade (2020).