Clothing Flashcards
What are the two sociological theories related to clothing?
- Dramaturgy (Erving Goffman) - Clothing acts as a prop in social performances.
- Symbolic Interactionism (Herbert Blumer) - Clothing holds meaning based on past experiences.
What are some functions of clothing beyond practical use?
Clothing can identify roles (e.g., police uniforms), membership (e.g., school uniforms, hijabs), status (e.g., Armani suits), and even self-marginalization.
What were the key themes from the study on ‘Least Favourite Clothing’?
- Distancing from older generations.
- Distancing from trendiness.
- Distancing from past identification.
What do red, blue, and purple ties symbolize in politics?
Red ties = Authoritarian, conservative.
Blue ties = Intelligence, liberal.
Purple ties = Bipartisan, problem-solving
What is the difference between a fad and a trend?
A fad appears and disappears quickly (e.g., whale-tail underwear), while a trend develops gradually and persists (e.g., women wearing pants).
What is ‘Cross-Class Identification’ in fashion?
As time progresses, it becomes cheaper to look high-class and more expensive to look low-class (e.g., designer ripped jeans costing more than formal trousers).
How did the leather jacket evolve in cultural?
Initially for fighter pilots, then associated with delinquency (1950s), rebellion (punk rock, 1980s), and later repackaged for mainstream fashion.
How did jeans transition from workwear to high fashion?
Initially workwear for miners and farmers, jeans became a youth rebellion symbol (1950s), countercultural (1960s), and later designer fashion with pre-distressed styles.
How did women’s right to wear pants evolve?
Women began wearing pants in the 1920s, adopted them in WWII factories, faced restrictions in workplaces until the 1970s, and now have widespread acceptance.
What are sumptuary laws?
Laws regulating clothing based on social rank, gender, or profession (e.g., prohibitions on cross-dressing, religious dress bans).
What is ‘Americanization’ in clothing?
Due to economic power and media influence, American clothing styles (e.g., jeans, sneakers, baseball caps) dominate global fashion.
How does clothing refect ‘Blackness’ in globalization?
Hip-hop culture and African American struggles have influenced global fashion, resonating with marginalized communities worldwide.
