Six Functions of Dress

There are 6 prominent functions of dress: Environmental Protection, Decoration, Gender Differentiation, Group Membership, Ceremonialism and Sexual Enhancement.

Environmental Protection

It has been argued that environmental protection is the primary function of dress.  Certainly clothing and the materials from which it is made have allowed humans to survive their external environments for centuries. Mans ability to develop different clothing suitable for various climates has also promoted world exploration and mobility from one climatic zone to another. If one were to look at a historical timeline, “humans have been naked or have covered themselves with furs for most of history” depending upon the climates in which they lived.[1]    

Above is an image of Martine Beswicke playing the Queen of a tribe of Amazonian women in the 1967 film PREHISTORIC WOMEN.  While this image is unrealistic in the fact that the tropical climate in which the Amazonians lived would render fur useless, it is but one example of man's interpretation and fascination with the idea of scantily clad prehistoric women as displayed in cinematography. The image below more accurately displays prehistoric man who would have either worn nothing, or would have used some sort of crude fur for environmental protection. 

Decoration

Human beings have used decoration in dress for centuries as a means of signifying the "self" vs the "other". Decoration can also display beauty ideals, religious and cultural beliefs, a person's status in a society or to signify important social events. Below is an image of an Ute Indian Chief. Traditional Native American decoration displays particular tribal membership, status within that tribe, and can also vary depending upon the tribal event.

Another significant form of historical decoration is the tattoo.  Called "irezumi" in the Japanese language, Japanese tattoos date back thousands of years and originally displayed spiritual and social status. Later, Japanese tattoos signified punishment and even criminal membership. Today, tattoos are used as an art form and are popular body decorations in many cultures.  

Gender Differentiation

A third function of dress is gender differentiation. Beginning in ancient times, dress began to signify important gender differences within a society. Depending upon the era and the particular culture, gender-specific clothing represents both the roles of men and women in a society and can tell us about gender specific societal norms and expectations.

The first image below shows two Saudi Arabian women wearing the traditional Muslim dress or hijab. “All Saudi Muslim women are required, by both law and tradition, to wear a full black cloak, called an abaya, a headcovering and the niqab (face-veil)”.[2] The second image is from a human right's organization criticizing Saudi Arabian treatment of women and likening it to gender apartheid.  Critics point to the enforcement of traditional Muslim dress as evidence of a lack of women's rights in Saudi Arabia. 

Group Membership

Perhaps the most important function of dress today is for the purposes of group membership. Clothing can often signify how we identify ourselves and with whom we affiliate. Clothing can express our ideological beliefs, our religious preferences and our cultural heritage.  

One of the best examples of group membership through dress is the uniform.  

Ceremonialism

Another function of dress is ceremonialism.  Clothing is often specially manufactured and worn for ceremonial occasions. Such garments both "create a mood" and "mark the importance of a certain social event".[3] The most obvious example of a ceremonial garment would be the wedding gown.  Below is a wedding photo of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.  Katie wore a very expensive and exclusive Armani gown “with an ivory silk train adorned in Valenciennes lace and Swarovski beaded crystal embroidery. She accessorized her gown with an ivory tulle floor-length veil and ivory silk shoes”.[4]

The second image displays traditional Japanese wedding garments.  Though the Japanese bride may also wear white (just as in traditional Western cultures) this image displays a more colorful wedding kimono.

 

Sexual Enhancement

The final social function of dress is that of sexual enhancement.  Clothes are often specifically chosen to enhance a person's body and to make them look more sexually appealing.  Clothing for purposes of sexual enhancement has varied throughout history and by culture.     

[1] http://discussion.academyart.edu/sectionContent/54-23431/27070/session_02.html

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women's_rights_in_Saudi_Arabia

[3] http;//discussion.academyart.edu/sectionContent/54-23431/27071/session_08.html

[4] http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1561111,00.html