By: Nirmal Yadav, Saroj S. Jeet Singh & Nisha Sangwan

Abstract

A study was conducted to identify the problems faced by working women in the preferred dresses at work place. It was found that Salwar-Kameez was the most preferred dress at workplace followed by Top-Trouser. The study revealed that in the existing styles of dresses, the major problems faced are no provision of keeping the belongings (kameez-salwar, top), free hang of dupatta (kameez), tying string tightly(salwar),short length (top) and available in limited varieties of fabrics(trouser).

Introduction

Clothing is dressed to be symbolic of working women success in life and social position. Down through the ages women have taken pride in their personal appearance and have sought the beautification of self through ornamentation. There was a time in India when only typical Indian dresses were worn.

The selection of clothing was limited to special occasion like marriage and religious function. In the present society, a woman leads a more active life.

She moves with man in all walks of life and now there is hardly any field, which can be called man's exclusive domain. Now there is countless profession in which Indian women have entered, some of the professions are uniform based while some are non-uniform based like private corporate, advertising agency, interior design firm, boutiques and colleges etc. At these places the employees have to dress in a manner that will inspire their confidence (Kefgan & Specht, 1979).

According to Syber & Roach (1962) clothing behavior is related to social mobility if one failed to dress up as expected the occupational mobility is affected adversely. As the working woman meets lot of people, she must have greater variety of clothes and accessories.

The working women require clothes that are suitable, practical in nature, comfortable and business like in appearance. Clothes not only help to achieve the success she desires but also gives her poise, confidence and also self identification.

So, here an attempt, was made to identify the problems faced by working women in the existing clothing practices at work place.

Methodology

For conducting the present study, four fashion oriented cities were selected purposively. A proportionate number of respondents i.e. 25 were selected from each city, which constituted a total of 100 respondents. Working women were selected from different professions, which included lecturer, executive managers, doctors and businesswomen.

Results and Discussion

This section includes information regarding the existing preferred dress patterns and the problems faced by the working women at work place in existing preferred dresses that make them feel uncomfortable and less active.