Clothing for the World of Work - Past Paper PDF

3.2 Apply clothing theory to the selection of clothing for young adults. Investigate and evaluate relevant information and data related to: \- The influence of socio-economic factors on the choice of clothing. \- The influence of socio-psychological factor on the choice of clothing. \- The symbo...

3.2 Apply clothing theory to the selection of clothing for young adults. Investigate and evaluate relevant information and data related to: \- The influence of socio-economic factors on the choice of clothing. \- The influence of socio-psychological factor on the choice of clothing. \- The symbolic meaning of appearance for social interaction. \- Clothing for the word of work. **CLOTHING FOR THE WORLD OF WORK** We are all individuals with our own taste in clothes and at the same time we want to fit in with our friends and be dressed appropriately for the occasion. We wear clothing for numerous reasons: - Modesty -- [ ] - Status -- [ ] - Protection -- [ ] - Decoration -- [ ] **The socio-psychological aspects of clothing** ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- Socio = a person's social behaviour Psychological = the way a person's mind works ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- *Social psychology is the study of how social conditions affect behaviour, thoughts & feelings of human beings*. The socio-psychological aspects of a person include self-concept and attitude towards one's self. Our clothes convey non-verbal communication -- what we do; how we feel about ourselves; our identity; our self-worth; our self-esteem. We dress to enhance our own image, to influence the impression that others have of us. However, a confident person with a strong sense of self-worth can wear clothes with assurance but a person with low self-esteem will never look confident -- even if they are wearing a designer outfit. Our clothes also have a psychological effect on us when we wear them. Think how you feel when you are dressed up for a night out compared to getting dressed for school and being in school uniform. Although we may all wear the same type of clothing (clothes or styles in fashion), each of us puts together an outfit according to personal type. This expresses our personal INDIVIDUALITY. To CONFORM means wearing/doing what everyone in the group wears or does to a greater or lesser degree. Conformity is not necessarily a bad thing as it gives us a sense of belonging and makes us feel secure. Our self-esteem -- the way we feel about ourselves will be evident in our clothing choices. Approval, recognition - generally we seek the approval of others and the need to be recognised as individuals. Making a statement and conveying the right message is important. Remember, first impressions are lasting. **Socio-economic factors on the choice of clothing** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Money** -- one's salary/ones budget -- disposable income -- personal values ("Keeping up with the Joneses"/the need to belong or fit in, keeping fit or not caring"), credit -- show of status... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One has a certain amount of money from one's salary, allowance, inheritance and it's how one chooses to spend that money... - The need to fit in -- to belong to a group...thinking that a famous brand/label will ensure acceptance, make one feel better about themselves...boost a low self-esteem... - Buying fake designer labels due to affordability or one's budget yet wanting that "label" to fit in. - The need for acceptance (as above) - The desire for quality over quantity...spending more on a quality item rather than buying a few similar items as you "are not sure"... (self-esteem?) - The importance of budgeting wisely -- spending within one means not spending more than one earns... by making use of credit... "borrowing from Peter to pay Paul"! Most retail stores today offer a credit facility due to the economic recession. It is a way of encouraging consumers to spend. The problem is that overspending can occur leading to debt and being unable to pay the account at the end of the month. OR one pays a percentage of the credit card or account but continues to spend and a huge debt develops resulting in the consumer being unable to pay the full amount. - Clever shopping -- knowing what suits one's figure and occasion and making clever choices -- not necessarily succumbing to expensive brands... seeing what's in fashion and being clever in one's choices -- wise decisions -- still being in fashion yet choosing items that are cost effective, more classic yet still fitting into the current trends... no name brands... - Taking care of one's clothes -- correct washing - so they last longer and always look clean and "new". - The ability to mix and match -- a basic item with an expensive item for that "total look", also to mix and match items of simple classics to create many various outfits and "looks". - It's not the amount one spends but one's sense of style in putting together outfits cleverly to create an illusion of understated "wealth". Anyone can buy/spend but its KNOWING what to buy according to one's figure, appropriate to the occasion... and one's budget. **The symbolic meaning of appearance for social interaction.** IMPACT! IMPRESSION! In the same length of time it takes to read these two words, we can form an impression of a stranger. *"Clothes do not make the man, but they do communicate."* As individuals in a highly competitive society, we are repeatedly judged in the course of our daily lives. These assessments can come in the form of first impressions and the impact of these first impressions can change the course of our destiny. (Do you get the job/position or not?) The market place is flooded with items that are packaged to make a calculated first impression. The packaged product must look "good" to the consumer or it will not be purchased. If the product does not look "right" it fails. We must "package" ourselves to make the right "visual" impact. This "packaging" includes clothes, accessories, our grooming, body posture, facial expressions... ALL this creates an unspoken/symbolic image about us. By our dress we "tell" others - What kind of person we are - What kind of person we think we are. - What kind of person we would like to be Clothing symbols are useful because they express meaning and they provide information to others. Symbols of clothing are not always static. They assume different meanings depending on: - Where the clothing is worn (a low-cut red satin dress may be appropriate at a night club but not at the office) - When the outfit is worn (winter boots worn with a light summer dress on a hot summers day appear ludicrous) - How the clothing is worn (shirt tucked in or left hanging out denotes different meanings -- "don't care", "cool", "causal", "neat", "formal", "respect".... ) - Who wears the clothing and what age they are. Each of us has preconceived ideas of what various clothing symbols represent and we respond accordingly. Interpretations of clothing symbols are based on past experiences and personal values and we must be aware that our judgements are subjective as they vary from person to person, (you may judge a famous person e.g. "Kim Kardasian" differently to your grandmother). +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | "The messages we humans communicate to one another are so complex and | | so varied that one set of feathers (as in the animal kingdom) is not | | enough. In fact, we need a whole closetful. For we dress to | | demonstrate different things -- to show our social origin, our | | artistic bent, our sexual makeup. We dress to show our politics. We | | dress to protest, to attract or to intimidate. We dress to be | | accepted, to find security and identity in a group. Our clothing is | | an attraction and a distraction, a security blanket and a fantasy. It | | reveals and conceals at the same time. People often think they can | | stay out of trouble by dressing in a nice neutral sort of way. | | However, whatever you wear makes a statement of some kind." | | | | Emily Cho and Linda Grover, Looking Terrific. (New York: Pulman, | | 1978), pp. 20 -- 21 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ **Messages conveyed by our clothing choices:** - Culture -- Sari -- Indian or a Kimono -- Japanese woman - Religion -- Yarmulke -- the head cap worn by Jewish males, the Haji worn by Muslim women. - Marital status -- a wedding band - Activity -- various activities call for specific clothing e.g. ballet, gym, horse riding... - Occupation -- uniforms e.g. - policeman -- nurse -- school... - Emotions -- black for mourning, pink/red for love... - Personality -- bright colours worn by out-going personalities. - Economic status -- designer labels -- although a pair of ripped jeans could indicate poverty -- they could also be an expensive, designer, high fashion item! **First Impressions...** - We are constantly judged by our appearance be it male or female, young or old. - First impressions are a vital form of communication. We only have one chance to create an impression. - First impressions are established within the first four minutes of meeting a stranger. - First impressions may not always be correct, but they are long lasting. - Your clothes, personal hygiene, body language & facial expression contribute towards a first impression. - SO... use everything you have got to create a good first impression. - A person who is appropriately dressed and smartly for an interview or work on the first day will give the impression that he or she is confident, ready to learn and ready to do a good job at the company. However, if you arrive late/do not look the part, it will take time before your colleagues or boss realise you are capable of doing the work you have been employed to do. It's how you look at first sight that will impact on your future -- positively or negatively! **The uniform**. These are worn for: - Identification -- to ensure a basic standard of appearance and to indicate rank. (Nurse: doctor) - Protection -- against certain elements of the job eg apron for cooking, fireman's suit) - Reasons of hygiene -- overalls, hair nets, plastic gum boots for factory workers in a food factory - Uniforms have a distinctive style and colour -- also for identification eg different school uniforms. Advantages [ ] Disadvantages [ ] **\ ** **DRESSING FOR THE INTERVIEW or CREATING A PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE** - Remember first impressions can make or break the job prospects. You need to convey your talent & personality as positively as possible in a very short time. - Try & select appropriate clothing to match the company's dress code. - Dress neatly, wear smart shoes, make up subtle, hair neatly styled, accessories minimal & don't over do the perfume - Even if the company dress code is very casual rather be slightly overdressed. For a professional job wear a slim fitting knee length skirt & smart plain shirt or blouse. Nothing too fussy. - Never forget the importance of shoes. Scuffed shoes indicate you do not pay attention to detail. Dark brown, navy or black shoes go with almost all outfits. Small to medium heel. Sandals are too casual. - Classic styles & neutral colours are usually best. - However keep with the current trends as dated clothes send out the wrong message -- that you are old fashioned & resistant to change. - Ensure your clothes fit properly and are comfortable -- neither too loose nor too tight. - Make sure your clothes are well maintained and clean. No stains, loose threads, buttons missing, loose hems. It could mean you are sloppy in your work. - Dress according to your age. Dressing too old or too young can create the wrong impression. - Be consistent. Don't dress up one day and poorly dressed the next day. You are always being watched at work and inconsistency sends out the wrong message. - Wearing appropriate colours & remembering the messages certain colours send out -- grey = conservative, black = smart & serious, red = assertive, energetic, dynamic. **The company dress code** - The first rule in planning your work wardrobe is to check the company's dress code. - A dress code is a set of rules about the type of clothing the company expects their employees to wear. Often these rules are unwritten or rather vague...eg "*Workers must be neat and refrain from wearing revealing garments"* - When you are new to work -- observe fellow employees to see what they are wearing. Always note the smartest employee and take your cue from her. - Remember, less is more, when considering what to wear and what accessories to wear. **Clothes for social interaction in the working environment** You will probably make new friends in the work place, with whom you will interact on a social level. Sometimes your job may require you to attend social events and training sessions & office parties. Remember the clothes you wear must reflect the image of the company and send out a favourable message about yourself. Choose clothes that: - Suit the occasion yet reflect your personality & your individuality. - Are not too revealing. - Do not have slogans or offensive pictures on the front of the top. And always behave appropriately as you will want to continue to work with your colleagues and maintain a mutually respectful relationship. **Creating a specific "look" -- your own style of dressing**. A look is a style of dressing and the impression you create by the way in which you combine your clothes. It involves: - Fabrics & colours - Fit : your body shape/size - The line of the garment - Accents & accessories. (Remember working clothes may or may not reflect your individuality & self-image.) Here are some "looks" one can adopt. Which one is your "look"? CASUAL/SPORTY [ ] CONSERVATIVE [ ] CREATIVE [ ] FEMININE [ ] MASCULINE [ ] DRAMATIC [ ] ELEGANT [ ] **Needs analysis and wardrobe planning for the world of work...** A basic wardrobe is the minimum collection of clothes you cannot do without The clothing in your wardrobe has, in most cases, accumulated over time. Some garments are worn frequently, some are saved for special occasions and some are pushed to the back and ignored or forgotten about. A functional wardrobe is the result of thoughtful planning and buying. A wardrobe is never complete -- it is continually developing and changing due to various factors and events in your life. Part of wardrobe planning is to see what you already have, what still fits and analyzing your needs and wants. The golden rule to wardrobe planning is to have clothing that fits your lifestyle and personality. **Factors to consider when planning a wardrobe:** SEASON -- this will influence the colours you choose. [ ] OCCASION -- dress appropriately for the occasion [ ] AESTHETICS -- using your knowledge of the elements & principles of design make sure your clothes enhance your good features and hide your bad ones. [ ] **General points to consider...** - Make a list of your needs - Check your finances -- how much money do you have to spend on clothes? - At least 50% of your wardrobe should be classical items as these will not date quickly. - Buy new items which will combine with existing items - Do not buy on impulse - Check the refund policy of the store - Always try on the garment and check for fit and quality - Consider the design elements and principals suited to your figure type. - Try and co-ordinate your wardrobe so colours, textures & accessories mix and match. - Consider the season - Consider the function / when and where you will wear the garment. - Remember quality over quantity... **THE 10 POINT ACTION PLAN TO WISE SHOPPING** SHOP ALONE: [ ] HAVE AN AIM[: ] BE RUTHLESS[: ] BE REALISTIC[: ] STAY FOCUSED[: ] BE FUSSY[: ] TAKE CARE[: ] BE SMART[: ] NO EXCUSES[: ] REMEMBER[: ] **\ ** **Steps in Wardrobe Planning:** **Step 1: Needs Analysis** Make a list of what you will require for a well-planned and coordinated wardrobe. It is ideal to have different outfits for every day of the week. It is not essential to have a large wardrobe but rather items that you can mix and match to create many different outfits. It is important to have both work and leisure clothes, your lifestyle will determine the balance of work and leisure clothes. **Step 2: Stock take** Once you have determined your needs for your working environment, take stock of the items you already have. Ask yourself the following questions when you analyse your current wardrobe: - Suitability -- job - Suitable -- lifestyle - Fashionable - Like or dislike - Am I likely to wear it again - Fit Discard those items you are not likely to wear again and that no longer fit or that don't look that good anymore that is they are old and faded. **Step 3: Shopping List** This helps to avoid buying impulsively and often in these situations we buy items that we don't need and they end up costing us as we don't like them or they don't fit well. A good suggestion is ensure your cupboard is made up of 80% basic and classic items and 20% fashion items. **Step 4: Create outfits** Combine clothing items in your wardrobe into different outfits. This way you will identify gaps in your wardrobe that need to be filled.