Psychology of fashion

What is fashion?

Fashion is a reflection of social, economical, technological, phenomena of any time period.

It is a style that is accepted and used by a majority of group, no matter how small the group is.

Style may come and go but fashion is always present in some or other form.

Earliest Clothing

20,000 B.C.-- people developed and wore clothes primarily for protection from the weather and environment.

NOW-- other needs such as psychological and social needs.

Why Clothing?

Physical Needs

•Protection

•safety

Psychological Needs

•Identity

•Adornment

•Cultural identity

Social Needs

•Affiliation/ fitting in

•standards

Why People Wear Clothes

Why People Wear ClothesPhysical Needs: Protection & Safety

Cold climates= heavier clothingHot climates= lighter clothing, hats, sunglassesSome professions require protective garments, such as gloves and masks

Why People Wear Clothes

Psychological Needs: Appearance Enhancement

Psychological needs are fulfilled through adornment, or attractive decoration, and self-identification. JewelryHair stylesAccessoriesTattooingPiercing

Why People Wear Clothes

Social Needs: Affiliation & StandardsEach decade seems to have a representation of social affiliation.

Hippie Look 1960-1970’sGothic Look 1990’s

Why People Wear Clothes

Society maintains certain social standards that are represented by

clothing

Modesty, which is covering of a person’s body according to society’s code of decency, often dictates the styles of clothing that people wear.

During the 1800’s : unacceptable to show your ankles20th Century: skirts shorter, more skin showing

Fashion Through the Ages

People dresses according to what society allowed for the social classes. Rare and expensive apparel become a status symbol and reflective in economic class. Industrial revolution fostered new inventions. Photography was invented. Vogue magazine was first published

in 1892

Historical TrendsettersFamous people have always influenced the development and acceptance of fashion.

Elizabeth I (Queen of England1558-

1603)

Louis XIV (King of France 1643-1715)

Marie Antoinette (Queen of France 1775-1793)

The End