It is always necessary to determine and explain the factors that greatly affect our clothing behavior. Following are some important factors that greatly affect the clothing behavior of women all over the world. This article is divided into five subheadings that describe the details of a particular factor.
Technological Factors
This modern age is also considered the "technological era" because even a child is equipped with the latest information, shaping their minds. It can be easily said that the latest technology captures the attention of modern-day women in choosing styles, designs, and cuts that suit their personality. Women tend to search for the latest fashion trends on the internet rather than spending time designing or choosing a new style. Moreover, the internet also facilitates finding a location for a particular store or a designer's outlet. The easy provision of internet access helps people stay in touch with the latest happenings in the fashion world. Many websites provide useful information regarding upcoming trends.
In every major city, fashion houses are opened for the public, offering various types of designer wear under one roof. This helps individuals select the best-suited costume in a short period.
Technological advancements have changed mindsets globally by offering a multitude of clothing items. With the advent of modern machinery, people have the opportunity to acquire cost-effective, quick, ready-to-wear, easy-to-care-for, and easy-to-handle garments.
Technological changes also bring developments in manufacturing materials, assembling and handling them, innovating new designs, and developing automated garments. These advancements greatly influence women's choices by offering a range of new fabrics and garments. New combinations of fibers and blending natural fibers with manmade fibers provide more comfort and ease to consumers while maintaining the natural feel of materials.
Branding and marketing have also revolutionized the textile and clothing industry. New methods of introducing products immediately capture customer attention.
Psychological Factors
Clothing is a significant aspect of our lives. When considering clothing choices, it can be summed up in the statement 'There is too much sensation, too much temptation.' Psychological factors significantly influence the clothing choices of women. When purchasing clothing, consciously or unconsciously, individuals consider its relationship with their personality type. Bright and sharp colors are favored when in a happy mood, whereas light and dull colors are usually chosen in states of depression or sadness. For instance, red color is associated with feelings of love and happiness, while yellow or orange shades relate to the sun, warmth, and anger.
Material texture is also relevant to our psychological state. Some prefer comfortable clothing over fashionable items, even if it is out of fashion, while teenagers lean toward trendy outfits, even if it causes discomfort. Additionally, it's believed that rough clothing may influence behavior to be discourteous, while soft materials contribute to a more cheerful mood and demeanor.
Social Factors
In primitive and even in present societies, there is not even a single sphere of our lives other than in choosing our clothing that greatly depicts our societal values and ethics. Man is a social animal. Group acceptance has a crucial role in acceptance of clothing. Everyone wants to be a member of the society in which he lives. But if he deviates from the set rules and standards of his society, he will be no more a part of his society.
Busy lifestyles offers more relaxed attitude towards the selection of clothing. As now-a-days more women are working outside the home and for this they need comfortable, easy to wash, east to care yet trendy clothing styles.
If we are very social then definitely we need to expand our wardrobes according to the latest trends and styles. And vice versa if someone is not very social, he / she definitely needs less number of clothes.
There are different levels of modesty in different cultures and religions. For example any article of clothing that is acceptable in one religion may not be acceptable in another religion, so while choosing an outfit, one should know his / her limits and boundaries set their religion.
But it is also observed that now a day's mild natured norms are changed in societies like in olden days people considered black color as a symbol of mourning where as today it is worn as a formal color in functions like weddings or parties. Because in this age people used to give of the olden concepts and adapt themselves with the new ones. Moreover in previous decades women used to wear red color on their wedding day as to follow their custom but now a days they are accepting other colors like olive green, turquoise, baby pink, white, silver, gray, purple, yellow and many other combinations.
Economic Factors
Economy is always the most important factor in bringing change in one's lifestyle. Families with fewer number of members have the opportunity to spend a lot of money on their clothing where as it becomes difficult for the large families. As todays woman has stepped into the professional living, she is ready to adapt herself with the modern world. She loves to wear attractive yet comfortable clothing for herself and at the same time she wants to maintain her individuality.
Money is considered as the force to drive something a step forward. Fashion is changing very rapidly these days because low and middle income classes are adapting new cuts and colors very rapidly so the fashion innovators are ready to bring an abrupt change in fashion to maintain the difference between fashion leaders and fashion followers.
Aesthetic Factors
Aesthetics is the last but not the least factor in deciding what to buy and what to wear? Clothing can be considered as a complete set of expressions that reflects the whole personality. Almost every woman has an inner born desire to look beautiful, stunning and gorgeous. She is always ready to experiment with different looks, cuts, designs, colors and textures to maintain her individuality.
When anyone feels to become prominent in a gathering, he / she always look for some unique and different cuts and styles in their dressings. And those people who do not want to be a focal point in some gathering, they remain simple, cool and calm in choosing their dresses. This is why even in ancient Rome and Egypt pharaohs are depicted in purple color to show their royalty, superiority and individualistic touch.
About the author
The author of the article is a Lecturer with the Department of Home Economics, in Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan.
Aesthetic Factors
Aesthetics is the last but not the least factor in deciding what to buy and what to wear? Clothing can be considered as a complete set of expressions that reflects the whole personality. Almost every woman has an inner born desire to look beautiful, stunning and gorgeous. She is always ready to experiment with different looks, cuts, designs, colors and textures to maintain her individuality.
When anyone feels to become prominent in a gathering, he / she always look for some unique and different cuts and styles in their dressings. And those people who do not want to be a focal point in some gathering, they remain simple, cool and calm in choosing their dresses. This is why even in ancient Rome and Egypt pharaohs are depicted in purple color to show their royalty, superiority and individualistic touch.
About the author
The author of the article is a Lecturer with the Department of Home Economics, in Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan.
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