Why We Wear Clothes

WHY DO PEOPLE WEAR CLOTHES ?

• People wear clothes to fulfill certain PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL and SOCIAL NEEDS.

PHYSICAL – warmth, safety

PSYCHOLOGICAL – self-esteem, identification

SOCIAL NEEDS - belonging, status

WHY DO PEOPLE WEAR CLOTHES ?

1.PROTECTION (Physical Need):

• Clothing is used to give physical protection to the body and to prevent harm from the climate and environment.

For example:

- Weather - hats, coats, gloves

- Safety – shin guards, helmets, googles

- Sanitation – rubber gloves, masks

2. ADORNMENT (Psychological need):• adornment is decoration. • enhances a person’s personality and is used to

enhance attractiveness or beauty. • varies by cultures and time. Example, primitive

people used coloured paint to decorate their bodies and jewellery was carved from animal bones.

• May also be used to express uniqueness and creativity

• Ex. – tattoos, body piercing, makeup, jewelry

3.IDENTIFICATION (Psychological need):

• Clothing can help identify people as members of a group• Uniforms are a way of identifying roles, giving a sense of

belonging and setting a position of authority. Example, police officers, judges.

• Colours or specific jewellery can be used as identification. Example, high school seniors wear their class rings.

• Ceremonial garments provide identification. Example, capes and gowns worn by graduating students or a white gown and veil worn to identify a bride.

4.MODESTY (Social need):• Refers to what people feel is the proper way for

clothing to cover the body according to the code of decency of their society.

• It dictates the appropriate way to cover the body for social acceptance.

• It is different for each society, from one situation or activity to another and can change over time.

• Ex- school dress code

- business attire at work

- bikinis at the beach

 

5. STATUS (Social need):

• is the use of clothing to show or gain higher rank in society, social acceptance and peer- approval.

• Example, people paying extra for garments with designer labels.

• Diamond jewelry, expensive clothing and fur can be worn to achieve higher status.

• King and queen wear a crown

6. Social Inheritance (Social need):

• Traditions or customs, passed on from generation to generation, that influence dress according to culture

• Ex – Scottish kilt

- sari

- “Western” white wedding dress

Some of the most important factors that influence particular clothing choices are peoples’

• values and attitudes• their tendencies toward

conformity or individuality• and their personalities.

Why People Select Certain Clothes

Values and Attitudes– Values are the ideas and beliefs that

are important to an individual. They are the underlying motivations for a person’s actions.

– Attitudes are formed from values. They are an individuals feelings or reactions to people, things or ideas.

– Values and attitudes are learned concepts.

– Some people select clothing because they value comfort– Some people choose bargains because they value

economy.– Some people value easy care.– Where people put their time, effort, and money shows their

personal values. Some like to spend $$ on many clothes and accessories, others save money for the future.

– Age influences peoples clothing selections. As people go through life, their needs and values change

Middle school: students value conformity–trying to look the same

High school: some of conformity, but they also often want to look good to their peers

College: students look for cheap clothes and value comfort After college: business attire, conformity Middle age: prestige and status, comfort

Personality– Personality can be defined as the total

characteristics that distinguish an individual, especially his or her behavioral and emotional tendencies.

– Studies show that certain ways of dressing give clues about specific personality traits.

– people who wear very colorful clothing tend to be sociable

– people who gain comfort from their clothes tend to have self-control and confidence.

– people who prefer economy in their clothes choices tend to be alert, proficient, and precise.

• People wear clothes to satisfy their:– Physical, Psychological, and social needs.

• Values and attitudes are influenced by a persons Cultural customs and traditions

• Individuality is Self-expression that distinguishes one person from another