Inequality Articles

People gather, rest, wait and meet in shared places. Stations, shopping streets, parks and public squares are where we shelter, sit together or simply spend time.

Certain social details can stand out once noticed: a bench divided by armrests so no one can lie down, spikes placed beneath a sheltered overhang, seating replaced with ledges designed so people move through rather than stop.

Silver Sunday, which falls on 4 October 2026 this year, is a national day dedicated to celebrating older people and encouraging communities to connect, socialise and tackle loneliness.

Clothing is often presented as one of the most personal forms of self-expression. It communicates aspects of who we are, where we come from, what we value and how we wish to present ourselves to the world. Whether rooted in culture, religion, profession, gender, comfort or fashion, our clothing choices are frequently described as individual decisions.

Conversations about clothing discrimination often focus on external judgement. They examine how employers, institutions or the wider public interpret cultural or religious dress, and how visible identities become vulnerable to prejudice. These experiences are well documented, particularly for racialised and religious minority communities whose clothing is frequently politicised or misrepresented.¹ Yet this captures only part of the story.

Fashion is often described as a universal language of identity, creativity, status and belonging. In reality, the meanings attached to clothing are neither fixed nor applied equally. The same garment, hairstyle or aesthetic can be celebrated on one person while provoking suspicion, ridicule or exclusion on another. This inconsistency reveals an important sociological reality: clothing is not judged solely by what it is, but by who is wearing it.

In the last two decades, clothes shopping for plus-sized customers has improved significantly because of the body positive movement of the 2010s and the rise of social media. However, shopping whilst remaining ethical and on a budget is still increasingly difficult.

Clothing is often framed as a basic material need that is functional, seasonal, and widely accessible. However, this framing is incomplete without understanding that clothing not only covers the body but communicates one’s identity.

Using the IJSDR’s paper, this article will explore the importance of clothing in the development of teenagers and the resulting consequences for teenagers experiencing clothing poverty.

Clothing poverty persists in the UK despite widespread surplus. This article examines how access infrastructure can exclude people with unseen disabilities.