Why People Wear Clothes

Physical Need Protect from weather

Physical Need Environmental dangers (shoes, facemasks, helmets, medical gloves)

Physical Need Occupational hazards (chemicals, radiation, fires, athletic pads)

Physical Need Enemies (armor, bulletproof vests).

Psychological Need Affects mental attitude or morale

Adornment: attractive decoration Enhance self concept Attract opposite sex Create envy in rivals Allow artistic expression

Culture Society’s set of social norms or values Determines type of adornment that people use.

Identification Establish or describe who someone is or what he does.

Psychological Uniform We feel comfortable and secure by following informal “rules of dress” Dress Code: written or unwritten rules of appropriate attire.

Social Needs We are socially accepted or admired because of our attire. Modesty: Cover the body according to the code of decency of a particular culture or society.

Modesty Immodest, unchaste women are glamorized and all too often celebrated and emulated. While there are steps that we can take in our homes and families to minimize our exposure to these unsavory elements of contemporary living, your daughters cannot entirely avoid the blatant sexual messages and enticements that surround them. You need to have frequent, open discussions during which you teach your daughters the truth about these issues.

For example, they need to understand that when they wear clothing that is too tight, too short, or too low cut, they not only can send the wrong message to young men with whom they associate, but they also perpetuate in their own minds the fallacy that a woman’s value is dependent solely upon her sensual appeal. This never has been nor will it ever be within the righteous definition of a faithful daughter of God. Elder M. Russell Ballard Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles April 2010 General conference

Status Position or rank compared to others (expensive jewelry, military stripes)

Why people select certain clothes Values – ideas, beliefs and material items that are important to an individual – the underlying motivation for a persons actions.

Attitudes feelings or reactions to people, things or ideas – formed from your values. Come from family, friends, community Ethnic and cultural traditions (nationality)

Attitudes Economic—how people spend their money shows their personal values Comfort Bargains because they value economy

Latest look because they value prestige Influenced by advertising

Conformity vs. Individuality Conformity – obey or agree with some given standard or authority (peer group pressure). Individuality – self expression – makes each person unique

“for individuals, fashion is both highly personal and very public”

Personality traits Total characteristics that distinguish an individual Economy – responsible, alert, efficient Sociable – likes lots of decoration Comfort – self control, confident, outgoing, secure

Needs vs. Wants Need: something a person must have for survival. There are varying degrees of need (a new suit for a job interview).

Want: desire for something that gives satisfaction Want: desire for something that gives satisfaction. When someone craves something, they think they need it.

Fashion as Art Thrives on creativity and innovation

Fashion as Science Textiles made through a combination of chemistry and technology.

Fashion as Mirror of our Times Fashion reflects economic conditions, political issues, current events, and popular entertainment. It indicates how we think and live at a given point in time.