WHY WE WEAR CLOTHES The Functions of Clothes

WHY WE WEAR CLOTHES: The Functions of Clothes

Bell Ringer • Why do you wear what you wear?

Personal Preferences • 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: v Protection v. Identification v. Modesty v. Status v. Adornment

PROTECTION • 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: àconstruction workers, firefighters, and police officers need special clothing for safety àWorkers in hospitals and restaurants wear sanitary clothing and hair coverings to prevent the spread of germs

IDENTIFICATION • 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

MODESTY • 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

STATUS • 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

ADORNMENT • 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

MAGAZINE SCAVENGER HUNT 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!