The Evolution of Feminist Revolutionary Garments Against Patriarchy in the Fourth-wave Feminist Movement

School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures, The University of Edinburgh, EH8 9YL, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

^* Corresponding author: raul_businiao@hhu.edu.cn

Abstract

During the fourth-wave feminist movement, a great deal of variation is produced in the forms and symbolic systems of feminist revolutionary garments. The relationship between feminism and fashion is complex during the feminist revolt against patriarchy. Some individuals view fashion as an instrument of patriarchal domination through the restraint of the female body. Some arguments believe that fashion, as revolutionary garments, can be borrowed as a method and catalyst for a feminist revolution. Social media has provided a wider digital space for feminist activism, and connections and collaborations between feminists from different classes and cultures have become easy to establish. Hence, easily recognisable logos and simpler symbol systems were the main hallmarks of this phase of feminist revolutionary garments. This paper focuses on the characteristics, advantages, and reasons for the emergence of feminist revolutionary garments in the fourth wave of the feminist movement by comparison with previous feminist revolutionary garments. Disadvantages and potential crises of these garments, such as excessive consumerism, still exist. Overall, the expressive potential of these revolutionary garments remains difficult to ignore.