Chapter 1 / The Meaning of Clothing and Fashion
17
Reasons for Wearing
Clothing
In ancient times, clothing of simple design
was made from items found in nature, such as
animal skins or plants. Today, there are many
different styles of clothing made of various
fabrics, trimmings, and other materials. From the
beginning, clothing has satisfi ed basic human
physical, psychological, and social needs, as
summarized in 1-1.
Physical Need
Clothing provides for the physical need of
protection, or physical safeguards. Garments
help prevent harm to the body resulting from
weather, environmental dangers, occupational
hazards, and enemies.
As protection from weather, clothing
provides comfort, 1-2. Coats, gloves, hats,
and long underwear protect people from cold
temperatures. Windbreakers and water-repellent
jackets provide protection from wind and rain.
Wide-brimmed hats and light, airy fabrics offer
protection from the sun and heat.
As protection from environmental dangers,
shoes protect feet from soil, hard and sharp
objects, and hot and cold surfaces. Astronauts
wear suits that provide life-sustaining
atmospheric conditions. Medical workers wear
sterile gloves and facemasks to reduce the
transfer of germs. Cyclists wear helmets to
protect their heads in case of accidents, 1-3.
As protection from occupation hazards,
special garments protect workers from
contamination, chemicals, radiation, and fi res. As
technology has developed, special “occupational
clothing” has evolved. Hard hats and safety
goggles are required at many job sites. Athletes
often wear protective helmets, gloves, and
1-2 A hat, insulated jacket, and long pants
all provide warmth by preventing body heat
from escaping into the air.
AKZO NOBEL Twaron®
1-3 Helmets, such as this one, are reinforced
with tough fi bers that cannot be torn or
punctured if they collide with hard objects.
The Reasons for Wearing Clothing
Physical need: Protection
Psychological needs: Adornment identifi cation
Social needs: Modesty status
1-1 Clothing has always satisfi ed one or
more of the human physical, psychological,
and social needs shown here.