Rubinstein identifies six distinct categories that define how clothing messages are sent and received in American society:
: These are highly structured and mandatory. They have a single, fixed meaning intended to indicate expected behavior and authority (e.g., police uniforms or religious habits). Dress Codes: Meanings and Messages in American ...
: These reflect the achievement of cultural values, such as wealth, beauty, youth, and health. : This category reflects broader consumer sentiments and
: This category reflects broader consumer sentiments and the political or economic forces of a specific period. Rubinstein that analyzes how clothing functions as a
: An analysis of looks ranging from "glamorous" and "alluring" to "vulnerable," showing how these images are constructed through clothing.
is a sociological study by Ruth P. Rubinstein that analyzes how clothing functions as a complex language of nonverbal communication . First published in 1995 and later updated in a second edition from Routledge , the book explores the historical and contemporary ways dress signifies status, identity, and social values. Core Framework: Six Categories of Dress
While praised for its rich illustrations and broad scope by some scholars at Westview Press , the book has faced criticism for a perceived lack of a strong authorial voice and for occasionally failing to systematically compare different sociological theories. Dress Codes: Meanings And Messages In American Culture