Why do you wear what you wear?

Values – What you believe is important, desirable or worthwhile – What do you look for in clothes? Influences – Family – Friends Peers – Media

Throughout history, clothing has fulfilled these basic functions:  Protection  Identification  Modesty  Status  Adornment

Protection from Weather: Clothing insulates from the cold and keeps the sun from burning and dehydrating the body in the heat (i.e. gloves, hats, coats) Protection from Occupational Hazards: Special clothing protects people from harm in sports and certain occupations:  construction workers, firefighters, and police officers need special clothing for safety  Workers in hospitals and restaurants wear sanitary clothing and hair coverings to prevent the spread of germs

Clothing and accessories can identify people as members of a group Uniforms provide instant recognition of police officers, fire fighters, and members of the military Uniforms create a special image for hotel staffs and airline personnel Uniforms also identify athletic teams Badges, emblems, and pins on jackets and caps show participation in athletics and community organizations

Clothing provides modesty – a belief about a proper way to cover the body with clothes Modesty may vary for the occasion Bathing suits and bare feet are fine for the beach, but not for schools, offices and most restaurants Modesty also varies in history – in Victorian times, women wore bathing outfits that covered them from elbows to knees, but today the bikini is common

Clothing and accessories can show a person’s status – a position or rank within a group Kings and queens wear crowns to set them apart Members of the military wear insignias to indicate rank The captain of an athletic team might also wear an insignia

People wear clothing and jewelry to enhance their appearance and attract attention These decorations express uniqueness and creativity and bring admiration and recognition Adornment makes people feel good about themselves Throughout history, people have adorned their bodies with cosmetics, body paint, and tattoos in addition to clothing and jewelry

Your Task: Search through the magazines in the classroom to find at least two examples of the 5 functions of clothing: protection, identification, modesty, adornment, and status Cut out and paste your examples on a blank sheet of paper, and number them On a lined sheet of paper, explain which function of clothing each picture represents and why You will need to present your findings to the class!