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Writing Assignment: Clothing Symbolism
The Second Skin: An Interdisciplinary Study of Clothing
Marilyn J. Horn
Chapter 9: Clothing Symbolism
Summary:
The clothing artifacts one wears are informational cues for others to read identity. The clothing one wears begins to hint at one’s role, status, and personality. In stating this, many strongly believe in the importance of the first impression. Initial judgments or stereotyping are a given for the human psyche. Without it, humans wouldn’t be able to make sense of the world; categorizing is a must: clothing allows us to read others and others read us.
Furthermore, certain clothing artifacts are connected to mannerisms and cultural practices hence adding a level of restriction to those whom could wear them, i.e. a peasant wouldn’t feel right wearing a mink coat due to what Horn describes as intrinsic restriction; one could say that she is lying about her intrinsic identity by doing this. In addition, it is hard to avoid others perceiving the direct incongruity of this situation in view that certain cultural practices also lead to a certain physicality which hint at that true nature of the person. In short, people feel fear at the thought of others suspecting misuse of a clothing artifact.
How this relates to my paper:
By using a certain clothing artifact, we feel the need to be representative of what that artifact stands for. We seek truth in our identity projection. We might even change our behavior when wearing certain clothing artifacts. Does wearing gym clothes give us strength to exercise? Does wearing a military uniform give us courage to fight? Does wearing a jailman suit give us a desire to do wrong? What is the power of clothing when it comes to human interactions?
Quotes:
The term Role is used here to designate thee particular position or category of an individual in social relationships.
Clothing provides stimulus information not only for the determination of personality, role and status but it also supplies a definition of the social situation in which it appears.( i.e. Weddings, birth, death. We use it to mark rituals).
“The Oriental believes that the more richly you dress, as a guest, the more honor you do your host. Silk is still their highest status fabric. You can see how these simple wool dresses seems a direct insult, to them.”
Clothing symbols that are (1) true representations of the self, (2) presented in an explicit and perspicuous manner, and (3) consistent wit other cues, are apt to be perceived fairly accurately.
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