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The Rise and Fall of What We Wear

The Rise and Fall of What We Wear

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Over the last hundred years, traditional styles of dress across the globe have steadily given way to more Western-inspired fashion. In this episode, we explore the complex reasons behind that shift—colonial history, economic development, media influence, and the pursuit of opportunity. From tailored suits to school uniforms, clothing has often served as both a symbol of belonging and a tool for navigating changing worlds. Join Queenie as we trace how fashion became globalized, why traditional garments faded from everyday life, and what today’s cultural revival movements are trying to bring back.




- Valerie Steele, 'The Corset: A Cultural History' (Yale University Press, 2001)

- Susan B. Kaiser, 'Fashion and Cultural Studies' (Berg, 2012)

- '100 Years of Fashion' video series by Mode (YouTube)

- Smithsonian Magazine, 'A Visual History of Fashion's Influence on Culture'

- BBC Culture, 'How Hollywood Conquered the World'

- The Met Museum: Articles and blogs on historical fashion and textile traditions

- 'The Psychology of Fashion' by Carolyn Mair (Routledge, 2018)

- Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Digital Archives and Publications

- Articles on fast fashion and globalization from Business of Fashion (BoF) and Vox

- National Geographic: 'How Traditional Dress Reflects Local Culture'

- Historical reference on sumptuary laws: 'Sumptuary Law' entry from Encyclopedia Britannica

- Harvard Business Review, 'Why Gen Z Is Driving Cultural Change in Fashion'

- The Guardian, 'Why Are Designer Clothes So Impractical?' (April 2023)

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.