The Why of Clothes

Why People Wear Clothes

Clothing meets physical, psychological and social needs. Prehistoric people

clothed their bodies over 75,000 years ago.

Clothing now serves the same purpose as it has throughout history.

PHYSICAL NEEDS

PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS

SOCIAL NEEDS

• PROTECTION

• ADORNMENT• IDENTIFICATION

• MODESTY• STATUS

Protective Clothing

Gives physical protection for the body

Protection from the weather

Cold temperatures Hot weather Rain Wind

Protection from Environmental Dangers

Dirt Insects Harmful agents in

the environment

SPACE MAN N.A.S.A

Protection from Occupational Hazards

Clothing protects workers from the specific hazards on their jobs.

Protection from Enemies

Clothing is used for Adornment

Adornment provides a psychological feeling of well-being through beauty.

Clothing is used for Adornment

Adornment provides a psychological feeling of well-being through beauty.

The way one culture views beauty may be different from how other cultures view it.

Clothing provides Identification

“Identification” describes who someone is or what they do.

Clothing can satisfy the need to belong.

Clothing satisfies the social need for modesty.

Modesty is the covering of a person’s body, according to the code of decency of that person’s society.

Clothing is used to gain status.

Designer labels Expensive clothing or jewelry Signs of achievement like stripes on

a soldiers uniform

How people spend their money shows their personal

values People who value comfort buy

comfortable clothing. People who value saving money

choose clothing bargains. People who value ‘easy care’ will

choose easy care clothing. People who value prestige and being

noticed choose the latest look in fashion.

Conformity vs. Individuality

Conformity – obeying or agreeing with some given standard or authority (parents, school authorities, peer group)

Individuality – self-expression, uniqueness

Activity!

Using magazines, find at least one picture for each of the reasons why people wear clothing.

Label each picture.

Glue on the back of your notes.