CHANGE IN EGYPTIAN WOMEN DRESS CODEDress code prototypes & Influences today.

Female cairo

In Winter 2010 a field research under the name Female Cairo was conducted by Ahmed Al-Adawy and Dina Hany, de-sign students in the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Art, The German Univer-sity in Cairo (GUC). The research aimed at exploring and trying to understand and perhaps classify the different female dress codes of Cairene women and what influences them. This poster is part of an attempt to graphically visualize the find-ings of that part of the research.

Elements of Influence

Extremely conservative

Extremely Liberal

Conservative

Liberal Deformation

Male perspective

LiberalismRadical Religious Beliefs

Traditions Western Fashion

Feminsim

Women’s fight for an equal role in the society.Location of Origin: UnknownChannels: Cognition and perception, members of the family, members of the society, publications, books, some televised media, higher education.

Radical islamic beliefs stating that abiding to a certain dress code is a must or is of high priority.Location of Origin: Arab peninsula Channels: Religious publications, institutions, televised Media, talk shows etc.

Women should not wear revealing clothes or they should cover their hair in front of menLocation of Origin: Rural AreasChannels: Members of the family and of the society, televised Media, elementary education.

Latest fashion trends by worldwide (specially western) designersLocation of Origin: Western Countries / EuropeChannels: Western televised media, Hollywood, fashion and beauty publications, peers.

Belief in the importance of liberty, equal rights and self expressionLocation of Origin: EuropeChannels: Higher Education, Books, Peers, members of the higher social societies, cognition and perception.

Protection from being viewed as a sex object by males. Trying to impress males. Trying to satisfy a specific male point of view.Location of Origin: UnknownChannels: Members of the family, members of the society, cognition and perception

Main Features:

1.Abaya 2.headscarf 3.Minimal Accessories 4.Lack of make-up

Main Features

1. Carina body (to cover skin) 2. Top/Dress 3. Skinny jeans 4. Make up and accessories. 5. Headscarf (revealing part of the hair sometimes)

Secondary Features

6. Boots

Social Classes

Low (major), Mid-Low (major) & Middle class (minor)

Main Features

1. Pants (usually baggy) 2. Long blouse/ Top (covering waist)

Secondary Features

3. Headscarf (depending on religious influence)

Social Classes

Low, Mid-Low, Middle classes and mid-high class (minor, depending on influence of religion)

Main Features

1. Top/ T-Shirt/ Blouse. 2. Skirt/ jeans.

3. Make up and accessories

Secondary Features

4. Heels (in this case sandals)

Social Classes

High & Mid-classes (minor)

Main Features

1. Top/ T-Shirt/ Blouse.(not revealing)

2. Long skirt/ jeans. 3. Make up and accessories

Secondary Features

4. Heels

Social Classes

Low (very minor), Mid-Low(minor), Middle and Higher

classes

Colour pallet

Mostly vivid

Colour pallet

Wide yet modest

Colour pallet

Narrow and modest.

Mostly dull and earthly

colours

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Low Mid-low Mid Mid-high HighMiddle

Low Mid-low Mid Mid-high HighMiddle

Low Mid-low Mid Mid-high HighMiddle

Low Mid-low Mid Mid-high HighMiddle

Secondary Features:

5.Niqab 6.Gloves

Social Classes

Varying across all social classes.

1

2

4

3

Low Mid-low Mid Mid-high HighMiddle

Colour pallet

Few colours per combination, no restrictions on selection

Colour pallet

Few colours per combi-nation, no restrictions on selec-tion

12

3

6

4

5

1

2

3

Elements of influence

Rating

Order of influence

1

2

2

1

3

45

6

3

4