Function of Clothing

Clothing isn’t just fabric! Clothing provides utility – protection, modesty, attractiveness, etc. Clothing is a form of non-verbal communication Plays a role in society – signals the wearer’s personality, religion, comfort, gender, status, belonging, and/or conformity

Non-Verbal Communication Clothing serves to convey a message from it’s wearer to its viewer Even if one doesn’t intend on it, the viewer may ‘read’ into the wearer’s personality, identity, gender, etc. First impressions – are influenced by what one wears …see “Style by Jury” video clip

“It enables us to make ourselves understood with rapid comprehension by the onlooker.” As A Sign System

Culture and Beauty “How we perceive the beauty or ugliness of our bodies is dependant on cultural attitudes. Today an inability to refashion and reshape our bodies while constantly monitoring the cultural ideal leaves us failing the fashion test. Many people spend their lives absorbed in a circle of diet, exercise, cosmetic surgery and other regimes.” As A Sign System

The Need for Belonging “Group affiliation is our prime concern with regard to fashion It is the sense of belonging marked by how we fashion ourselves that gives us the tribal connection. As A Sign System

A Look Back…. History shows that clothing acted as a symbol of one’s status, class, or social role Fashion through the ages acts as visual history.