CLOTHING CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION

 CLOTHING CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION

Clothes is a language, a nonverbal method of communication that reveals a lot about the wearer to the onlooker through its symbols. Before people ever start a conversation with one another, their clothes sends a message about their sex, age, class, occupation, place of origin, personality, and what they are or what they desire to be at that same moment. One can identify a businessperson by their well-fitted suit.

Status in a social group can be suggested or signalled through clothing. High-status groups enjoy remaining "in style" to advertise their status; those who fail to do so within a so-called "style tribe" run the danger of being shunned. Because it frequently costs a lot of money to stay "in style," fashion can be used to flaunt affluence (compare conspicuous consumption). Hence, following fashion trends can serve as a social wealth indicator and a measure of social mobility.

The initial mode of delivery for clothing is the West vs the East Coast. People dress more casually on the West Coast. For instance, tank tops, shorts, and apparel with a more relaxed, fitting fit. Also, you notice the more bohemian-inspired style on the West Coast. For example, simple tees that can be dressed up or down, jean jackets, trench coats, and beautiful but uncomfortable ankle boots are common on the East Coast. The seasonal variations between the two coasts are another distinction. Because of the daily weather fluctuations, people in New York, for example, dress in layers when they are on the East Coast.

You should not worry about thunderstorms on the West Coast, where Los Angeles is much warmer all year round. Reading about the various cultures on the East and West Coasts can influence how two separate coastlines view fashion from various perspectives.

You have lower class vs upper class as another way that clothing speaks to individuals as a type of communication, similar to the West and East Coasts. Higher status groups enjoy remaining fashionable in order to advertise their position. Also, the people tend to have more professional jobs, thus they need to dress appropriately for the workplace. They can afford to wear more expensive apparel, so they do. The clothing of the working class would be practical, utilitarian, and long-lasting rather than aesthetically beautiful and stylish, according to Diana Crane's book "Fashion and Its Social Agendas."

These persons are seen as belonging to a lower social class. They typically wear larger, slouchier clothing since they can't afford anything else, which prevents them from outgrowing their garments as quickly. The majority of them wore clothing that was provided by their jobs. According to Diana Crane, persons from lower social classes behave and dress differently than those from higher social classes.