4 clothing theories

1. THEORIES
OF
CLOTHING
M S . S . N A G A S U N D A R I - M . S C
A S S I S T . P R O F . F T D E P T ,
B O N S E C O U R S C O L L E G E F O R W O M E N .

2. INTRODUCTION
Clothing means a complete set of outer garments. Including, ornaments
and hairstyle.
Clothing acts as a non-verbal medium of communication that serves to
establish the cultural identity of a person including a person’s
community or country of origin at any given historical period.
Clothes not only ‘make the man’, but also affect the facial features and
the body.
Clothing takes the form of symbols used by individuals as a tool for
social interaction
Climate has obviously played an important role in determining the
necessity for inventing the various kinds of clothing worn by humanity.

3. CLOTHING IS CLASSIFIED INTO
TWO CLASSES:
THE FIXED
The fixed are substantially permanent and are not
subject to fashion changes but vary with each locality.
THE MODISH
The modish type predominates in the western countries
and changes rapidly in point of time over all parts of the world, which are
subject to fashion changes.

4. THEORIES
OF
CLOTHING
Modesty
theory
Immodesty
theory
Adornment
theory
Projection
theory

5. THE MODESTY THEORY:
The word “modesty” comes from the Latin word “modestus” which
means “keeping within measure”.
In this theory, clothing is used to cover or conceal the genital organs
from a sense of shame, modesty, embarrassment, or some other forms
of sexual emotions.
From this beginning it is assumed that the grown practice of covering
body more generally as sexual self-consciousness has become more
refined.

6. THE IMMODESTY
THEORY:
Immodesty theory is also called as Sexual attraction theory.
People first wore clothes in order to attract attention to the private parts.
“DRESS IS A POWERFUL SEXUAL TOOL” this theory was designed
to attract attention to sexual organs and sexual functions and in general
to make the wearer a greater object of sexual interest.

7. THE ADORNMENT
THEORY:
This theory refers to the decorative nature of clothes and other forms of
appearances; modifications for purposes of display, attraction or aesthetic
expression.
Through adornment we can express our creativity and individuality

9. PROJECTION THEORY:
People from earliest civilization are known to use natural elements like
leaves, leather, fur, grass, etc.… to cover or protect themselves.
This theory suggests that clothes protect humans from the harmful
external elements, animals or even supernatural forces.
Example : Bullet-proof jackets, Space suit, Fire fighting suit, Thermal
wear, Rain coat, etc.…

10. BULLET PROFF VEST FIRE FIGHTER SUIT
RAINCOAT SPACE SUIT