Download - Clothing and Society What influences our clothing selectionhow we dress and how we spend our money!
Clothing and Society
What influences our clothing selection—how we dress and
how we spend our money!
Influences on clothing• Basic needs (comfort, protection, safety)
• Activities
• Preferences (comfort, value, easy care, status)
Basic Functions of clothing include:1. Protection (sun, harm in sports, occupation)
2. Identification (uniforms)
3. Modesty4. Status (rank or position)
5. Adornment
Other influences
• Family• Friends• Media—advertising,
celebrities, status symbols
A changing society
• More casual living
• Rapid communication
• Multiple shopping options
• Consumer power
• Global Marketplace
Culture
• The collected ideas skills, beliefs and institutions of a society
1. Traditional dress (often now worn only on festive occasions
2. Religious influences3. Clothing as symbols
Show heritage, occupation, values, gender (not as much difference today), role (graduation, sport, bride –bridal gowns differ in different cultures)
4. Expectations for certain occasions—weddings, funerals, dances, job interview, etc
1. Standards may differ in different parts of the country.2. Some places have dress codes.
Clothing Reflects Culture
• Culture- collected ideas, skills, beliefs, and institutions of a society a a particular time in history
• National costumes- distinctive clothing style
Clothing Symbols
• Heritage- traditions handed down from ancestors (US- white wedding dress – purity)
• Occupation- Uniforms • Roles- bridal gown,
letterman’s jacket• Gender- men vs women
skits vs. pants• Values- religious
symbols, Amish
Clothing and Families
• Family life cycle—what stage in life you are in—teen vs. mom
• Multiple roles—career-home
• Budgets
Clothing and self expressionDo we judge people by how they dress?
Your “clothing philosophy” determined by what you value—
Do you
1. Want to stand out or blend in
2. Be comfortable
3. Be in style
Self-Expression
• Create impressions (appearance and behavior, body language)
• Clothes Communicate – Personality (emotions, self-concept)– Conformity– Individuality– Choices and Consequences– Searching the Real You (hair color, trends)