Why Study Dress? Published By Fairchild Books ✓ Solved

W H Y St U DY D R E S S ? Published by Fairchild Books

Everyone in the world “dresses their body.” Dress has long been a means to communicate information about the self to others, to express the self creatively, and to protect the self from physical and psychological harm.

Dress is one of the many artifacts of culture. It is a reflection of mentifacts and sociofacts. The social psychology of dress is the study of dress and adornment in the larger context of human behavior and appearance in general. Dress is the total arrangement of all outwardly detectable modifications of the body and material objects added to it.

Dress is used as a noun (the items themselves) or a verb (behaviors to create an appearance). Forms of dress models allow us to categorize dress based on body modifications or supplements and properties such as color, volume, proportion, shape, and texture.

Culture is a complex whole, including knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, laws, customs, etc., which is acquired by people as members of society. Culture is dynamic and cumulative. Artifacts refer to the material aspects of culture, mentifacts refer to “facts of the mind” such as beliefs, values, attitudes, goals, and world view, while sociofacts refer to facts of social organization including religion, education, government, family, economy, crime and punishment, and social status.

When we study human behavior, such as dress, we do so in a context that can include a physical setting, a relationship with two or more people, social circumstances, and historical time period. To understand why an item of dress is worn or a beauty ritual is practiced, we examine context from various perspectives: cognitive, symbolic interaction, and cultural/historical.

Ethnocentrism involves judging another culture by one’s own standards, whereas cultural relativity focuses on finding worth in all cultural practices. Important characteristics of culture that affect dress include that culture is transmitted, learned, shared, and transformed.

Maha Alnami's research in FMRK 360 discusses Women's Clothing in Southern Saudi Arabia. The region is culturally diverse, including Yemen, Oman, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Contrary to popular belief, women in Saudi Arabia have experienced significant shifts in their freedoms, including the ability to drive, participate in fashion, and engage in business.

Recent changes to laws have allowed over 1,000 Saudi women to travel without a male guardian for the first time in decades. The Saudi Press Agency announced amendments to regulations allowing women aged 21 and over to obtain a passport independently and remove restrictions on crossing the Saudi border. These changes grant women equal standing with men of the same age and enable them to complete tasks previously restricted, including registering a birth, marriage, divorce, or death.

Paper For Above Instructions

The significance of studying dress transcends mere aesthetics; it envelopes the understanding of culture, identity, and socio-political dynamics. In analyzing dress, we can gain insights into individual and collective identities that are shaped by cultural backgrounds, historical contexts, and social structures.

Examining the role of dress involves recognizing how it serves as a medium for self-expression and communication. Each choice of attire can convey messages about a person's socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender, and even personal beliefs and values. For instance, in the diverse landscape of Saudi Arabia, women's fashion encapsulates a rich tapestry of cultural narratives influenced by both traditional norms and modernity.

A key component in the study of dress is its classification within cultural frameworks. The vertical and horizontal axes proposed in cross-cultural classifications effectively categorize dress based on body modifications and the various properties that garments may possess. These classifications aid scholars and practitioners in dissecting global fashion trends while being mindful of the cultural connotations associated with each style.

Understanding the dynamics of culture is integral to comprehending how dress functions within it. As noted by Lennon, Johnson, and Rudd, culture is not static; it evolves through ongoing interactions and exchanges among individuals. The artifacts, mentifacts, and sociofacts of a culture build a complex system wherein dress plays a pivotal role (Lennon, Johnson, Rudd, 2017).

The context in which we analyze dress also cannot be overlooked. The cognitive perspective allows us to comprehend how individuals perceive and receive dress within their specific cultural milieu. Furthermore, symbolic interaction emphasizes how the meanings attributed to dress are co-constructed through social interactions. Cultural and historical perspectives inform us of the deep-rooted traditions that shape contemporary dress practices (Lennon, Johnson, Rudd, 2017).

In the case of women in Southern Saudi Arabia, dress has become a powerful instrument for both self-assertion and identity construction in the face of systemic social challenges. The rise of figures like Sarah Aladwani and Yara Alnamlah highlights how women are not just passive subjects of fashion but active creators, reshaping the visual landscape of their culture (Alnami). The blending of traditional garments with modern styles speaks to their agency in reclaiming narratives often overshadowed by conservative representations.

The transformative legislative changes in Saudi Arabia serve as a backdrop for understanding contemporary dress practices among women. These changes represent more than mere legal adjustments; they symbolize a shift towards recognizing women's autonomy in fashion choices that reflect their identities and aspirations.

Ethnocentrism presents a challenge in the study of dress, as researchers must remain aware of their biases when evaluating cultural practices different from their own. Cultural relativity provides a necessary framework to appreciate the value of various fashion expressions, regardless of their adherence to Western standards (Lennon, Johnson, Rudd, 2017).

In summary, the study of dress is multidimensional. It reflects broader cultural narratives, illustrates social relationships, and encapsulates individual identities. As we move forward in a rapidly changing world, understanding the implications of dress will remain crucial in deciphering the complex interplay of culture, societal norms, and personal expression in the discourse of fashion.

References

• Lennon, S. J., Johnson, K. K. P., & Rudd, N. A. (2017). Why Study Dress? Bloomsbury Publishing Inc.
• Alnami, M. (2023). Women's Clothing in Southern Saudi Arabia.
• Entwistle, J. (2000). The Fashioned Body: Fashion, Dress, and Modern Social Theory. Polity Press.
• Tashion, A. (2021). Cultural Impact on Fashion: Understanding the Dynamics. Fashion Studies Journal.
• Blumer, H. (1969). Fashion: From Class Differentiation to Collective Selection. The Sociological Quarterly.
• Veblen, T. (1899). The Theory of the Leisure Class. Houghton Mifflin Company.
• Pine, K. J., & Gilmore, J. H. (1999). The Experience Economy: Work Is Theatre & Every Business a Stage. Harvard Business Review Press.
• Finkelstein, J. (1991). The Fashioned Body: Fashion, Dress, and Modern Social Theory. Polity Press.
• Jung, B. (2017). Ethics of Fashion: Analyzing the Complexities. Fashion Philosophy.
• Crane, D. (2012). Fashion and Its Social Agendas: Class, Gender, and Identity in Clothing. University of Chicago Press.