Influences on Clothing

Fashion & Interior Design

Mrs. Wagner

Some people use clothing as a tool for relating to others. To them, clothing is a kind of short-cut that reveals facts about a person. As a result, they base the way they treat someone on what that person is wearing. Others think that clothes can be misleading. They believe that looking only at what someone is wearing can lead to wrong conclusions about the person. They consciously avoid letting clothes influence the way they treat others.

What do you think? What do you think clothing reveals about a person? Should clothing guide the way people treat others?

What Clothing Reveals

Treatment of Others

Choosing what to Wear/Reasons for Clothing

• 1. Protection

- Climate, Weather

- Safety

- Ex.

- Sanitation

- Ex.

2. Modesty – What people feel is the proper way for clothing to cover the body

Different groups – different standards – ethics or customs that are regarded as acceptable

Ex.

3. Identification – Groups Uniforms

- Ex.• Insignias – badges or emblems that show

membership in a group

- Ex.• Style and Color

- Ex.

4. Decoration – enhance appearance- Adornment – clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, piercings- Self-Adornment

- Native Americans – painted faces, war parties, hunting, etc.

- Japan – 1660-1700 – tattooing over entire body – sign of wealth

- Hindu Religion – red mark on forehead – tilaka – person has performed daily prayer ceremon

Influences on Clothing Choices

1. Peer Groups – people who have a similar background, social status and age

- strong need to fit in – sense of belonging

- peer pressure – pressure to dress a certain way – positive or negative

- criticism to those who don’t conform

2. Media- Advertising – Sell products- Image Ads – appeal to emotions – create special wants and desires- Information Ads – tell you about new products, stores, etc. – give you factual informationCelebritiesStatus Symbols – gives wearer a special feeling of importance or wealth

3. Personal Attributes

- Personality – combination of all your unique qualities

- Values

* 4. Parents - Conflicts

Society

A group of individuals who live together in a particular area.

The United States is a society Similarities in dress

5 Major Trends that Influence the Choices People make in the US 1. More casual living

- Travel- Restaurants- Business Casual

• 2. Rapid Communication- Technology changes- Fashion news travels rapidly – Internet, TV- Teens in Japan & US – wear same clothes

3. Multiple Shopping Options- Mega Malls – 400+ stores- Outlet Malls – Labels- Internet

• 4. Consumer Power- Designers now design colors & fabrics

rather than radical new styles- Consumers dictate what is fashionable =

what is sold – supply & demand- Less loyalty to stores/name brands- Bargains

5. Global Marketplace

- garments made from supplies from various countries

- More fashion capitals