Ordinary Lifestyles
Edition: 1 edition
Publisher: Open University Press
Published: September 1, 2005
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 296
ISBN-13: 9780335215508
Subjects: Popular culture; Social Science; Pop Arts / Pop Culture; Sociology; Film & Video - History & Criticism; Performing Arts / Film / History & Criticism; Popular Culture - General
Description: "Ordinary Lifestyles explores how popular media texts bring ideas about taste and fashion to consumers, helping audiences to fashion their lifestyles as well as defining what constitutes an appropriate lifestyle for particular social groups. Contemporary examples are used throughout, including Martha Stewart, House Doctor, What Not to Wear, You Are What You Eat, Country Living and brochures for gay and lesbian holiday promotions."

"The contributors show that watching make-over television or cooking from a celebrity chef's book are significant cultural practices, through which we work on our ideas about taste, status and identity. In opening up the complex processes which shape our taste and forge individual and collective identities, lifestyle media demand our serious attention, as well as our viewing, reading and listening pleasure." "Ordinary Lifestyles is essential reading for students in media and cultural studies courses, and for anyone intrigued by the influence of the media on our day-to-day lives."--Jacket.