Am I What I Wear? An Exploratory Study of Symbolic Meanings Associated With Secondhand Clothing

Roux, Dominique

Am I What I Wear? An Exploratory Study of Symbolic Meanings Associated With Secondhand Clothing

Am I What I Wear? An Exploratory Study of

Symbolic Meanings Associated with Secondhand Clothing

Dominique Roux

University of Paris XII - IRG

Département L.E.A.

61 av. du Gal de Gaulle

94010 Creteil Cedex

France

Tel: (33) 1 69 48 98 70

Email: roux@univ-paris12.fr

Michaël Korchia
Bordeaux Ecole de Management
680 Cours de la Libération
33405 Talence Cedex
France
Tél : (33) 5 56.84.42.15

Email: michael.korchia@bordeaux-bs.edu

This paper conceptualizes and explores the symbolic and psychological aspects of both acceptance and rejection toward used clothes. Based on Sartre’s (1956) view on having and being, it proposes a broader investigation of the various aspects of positive and negative meanings associated with the exchange and resale of second-hand clothing. Based on an exploratory study, the findings suggest that when used clothes are mentally detached from a previous owner, they can be appraised for their intrinsic properties instead of being reduced to the incorporated intimacy with another person. In addition, certain characteristics of these products seem to uncover various and strong desires for re-appropriation.

Citation:

Dominique Roux (2006) ,"Am I What I Wear? An Exploratory Study of Symbolic Meanings Associated With Secondhand Clothing", in NA - Advances in Consumer Research Volume 33, eds. Connie Pechmann and Linda Price, Duluth, MN : Association for Consumer Research, Pages: 29-35.

Authors

Dominique Roux

Volume

NA - Advances in Consumer Research Volume 33 | 2006

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