Product guide
Footbinding as Fashion: Ethnicity, Labor, and Status in Traditional China
Ethnicity Traditional: Footbinding as Fashion examines how local status hierarchies, elite culture, and social competition helped the practice spread in China. Its studies of Taiwan, Hebei, and Liaoning challenge explanations centered mainly on ethnic identity and women's labor.
At a glance
- Uses case studies of Taiwan, Hebei, and Liaoning to examine when and where footbinding became popular.
- Challenges accounts that explain footbinding chiefly through ethnic identity or economic function.
- Argues that local status hierarchies, elite culture, status competition, and fear of ridicule help explain the practice's spread.
Price
$26.30Save 25%
Reference price: $35.00
Price checked: Nov 14, 2026
View offerAhead of Black FridayExplore the selectionPros and cons
Pros
- A focused historical argument supported by detailed regional case studies.
- Brings together ethnographic reports, economic surveys, and rare censuses, according to the listing.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Publisher | University of Washington Press |
|---|---|
| Publication date | December 18, 2018 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 272 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0295744405 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0295744407 |
| Weight listed | 13.1 ounces |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6 x 1 x 9.25 inches |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers studying Chinese history, gender, fashion, anthropology, or social status.
- Students interested in competing explanations for the spread of footbinding.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a general introduction to all periods and topics in Chinese history.
Frequently asked questions
What is the book's main argument?
It argues that local status hierarchies, elite culture, social competition, and fear of ridicule help explain footbinding's spread, beyond explanations based primarily on identity politics or economic factors.
Which regions does the book study?
The listing describes case studies of Taiwan, Hebei, and Liaoning.
How long is the book?
The listing gives a print length of 272 pages.
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