CHAPTER
1
The Why
of Clothes
21
Caware
lothing does much more than just cover the body. Your
appreciation of clothing will be broadened as you become more
of the infl uences clothing has on you. It can infl uence
you both as a consumer (someone who buys and uses goods and
services) and as a future employee of a clothing manufacturing or
retail company.
Throughout history, clothing has had great meaning. It has
indicated people’s handicraft skills, artistic imagination, and cultural
rituals. Cultures are the customs and beliefs of certain groups of
people. Clothing also refl ects advances in technology.
In ancient times, clothing was made from items found in nature.
The fi rst clothes were probably made from animal skins. Today’s
technology provides many different fi bers, fabrics, fi nishes, and
manufacturing processes. Regardless of these advances, however,
the reasons to wear clothes are the same as they have been throughout
history.
After studying this chapter, you will be able to
ä
explain the various reasons people wear clothes.
ä
analyze how clothing satisfi es certain physical, psychological,
and social needs.
ä
discuss how values, attitudes, conformity, individuality, and
personality affect clothing selections.
consumer
cultures
protective clothing
adornment
beauty
identifi cation
dress codes
modesty
status
values
attitudes
conformity
peer pressure
individuality
personality