Our Apparel Chapter Notes | Home Science for Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Clothing Functions and the Selection of Clothes

• Clothing creates the first impression when meeting people, alongside posture, walk, smile, frown, and body language.
• Good appearance is important, and clothing significantly contributes to this impression.
• Clothing serves multiple functions, influencing why specific garments are chosen based on various factors.

Modesty:

• Clothing is worn for modesty, as societal norms generally discourage going without clothes.
• Young children may not feel embarrassed without clothing, but they are taught to cover their bodies.
• Modesty standards vary by society; for example, in some communities, uncovered heads signify immodesty, while in others, uncovered legs are considered immodest.

Protection:

• Clothing protects against environmental factors such as harsh weather, dirt, and pollution.
• Clothing choices change with seasons; lightweight cotton is worn in summer, often with head coverings for sun protection, while layers of woollen clothing are used in winter.
• Specialized clothing protects against physical harm, e.g., firefighters wear fire-resistant gear, and sports players (football, hockey, cricket) use arm guards, leg guards, and wrist bands for injury prevention.

Status and Prestige:

• Clothing can signify social and economic status, historically distinguishing kings and courtesans from common people, as seen in historical films.
• Clothing reflects social status during festivals and family events in India.
• With affordable stylish clothing, such as T-shirts, jeans, and salwar-kurta, available across economic levels, clothing acts as a social class leveller, promoting social equity in democratic societies.

Adornment:

• Clothing is worn to enhance appearance and attractiveness, fulfilling a universal drive to decorate the body.
• Body decoration practices, such as ear piercing, nail polishing, tattooing, hair braiding, and knotting, are prevalent across societies.
• The desirability of adornment types is determined by societal norms.
• A wide range of fabrics is available for clothing, with characteristics (fibre content, yarn, fabric types, finishes) influencing suitability for various uses and care requirements.
• Clothing selection considers fabric characteristics, garment style, and accessory details to meet functional and aesthetic needs.

Factors Affecting Selection of Clothing in India

• Age is a critical factor, especially for children, as parents or elders often decide on their clothing.
• Children, particularly infants and toddlers, should not be dressed solely for adult satisfaction; their physical growth, motor development, interactions, and activities must be considered for comfort and safety.
• As children grow, they interact more with peers, becoming aware of others’ clothing and seeking peer conformity, which becomes increasingly important in middle childhood.
• Clothing helps children feel a sense of belonging and acceptance among peers.
• During adolescence, rapid physical growth leads to gender-specific clothing, influenced by cultural, societal norms, and contemporary trends.
• Adolescents often believe their popularity and relationships depend on appearance, driven by the “right clothes.”

Climate and Season:

• Clothing is selected to protect against environmental and weather conditions, varying significantly between cold, warm, temperate, rainy, or humid climates.
• Clothing suitable for only 3-4 months (e.g., seasonal wear) requires careful consideration of cost and quantity, especially for growing children who may outgrow garments by the next season.

Occasion:

• Clothing selection depends on the occasion and time of day, governed by unwritten rules and traditions.
• Schools often have dress uniforms and rules against accessories to maintain discipline; non-uniform schools may see issues with overly formal, dressy, or sporty clothes, leading to peer ridicule or exclusion from group activities.
• Social gatherings and parties allow children to wear “nice” apparel to express individuality.
• Family functions, such as weddings, require adherence to traditional clothing norms, reflected in style, fabric type, texture, color, and accessories.
• Concepts of modesty and protection vary by occasion, activity, and time, emphasizing the importance of wearing appropriate clothing at the right time.

Fashion:

• Fashion refers to contemporary styles with mass appeal, and children, influenced by TV, become fashion-conscious.
• Fashion may be inspired by prominent personalities, leaders, film stars, or national events, reflected in fabric types, colors, designs, garment shapes, or accessories (scarves, bags, badges, belts).
• Fads are short-lived, exaggerated fashion trends affecting specific societal segments or areas, often popular among children and adolescents.

Income:

• Available income impacts clothing selection, affecting initial purchase costs, versatility, durability, and maintenance requirements.
• The number of children, age gaps, and gender in a family influence clothing choices.
• High-income families often have greater clothing variety, especially for special occasions.
• In modest or low-income families, older siblings’ clothes are recycled for younger ones to save costs.
• School uniforms help reduce socio-economic differences among students by standardizing attire.

Understanding Children’s Basic Clothing Needs

• Children identify with peers or admired adults through clothing, fulfilling an emotional need.
• Clothing must be suitable for various activities, allowing freedom to play, which is essential for physical growth.

Comfort:

• Comfort is the primary requirement, enabling children to roll, crawl, squat, climb, run, and jump without hindrance.
• Children should play without worrying about dirtying clothes.
• Tight clothes restrict activity and blood circulation, while elastic bindings should not cause pain.
• Heavy or bulky clothes are tiring and difficult to handle; lightweight acrylic or nylon fabrics are preferred, especially for winter.
• Clothing should allow bending and stooping, with sufficient crotch ease for movement.
• Shoulder-hanging clothes are more comfortable than waist-hanging ones.
• Necklines should be wide to avoid throat strain, and sleeve bands should not restrict movement.
• Fabrics must be soft and absorbent for sensitive skin; organdy collars or heavily starched shirts are uncomfortable.
• Clothes that are too large or too small are uncomfortable; garments should fit with growth allowance.
• Raglan sleeves offer more freedom and growth accommodation than set-in fitted sleeves.

Safety:

• Comfort and safety are interconnected; oversized clothes are uncomfortable and unsafe, posing fire risks near cooking areas.
• Hanging sashes or trims can get caught in moving objects like tricycles.
• Bright colors improve visibility to motorists compared to dark or gray colors, enhancing safety.
• Loose buttons or trims are hazardous for infants and toddlers who may put them in their mouths.

Self-Help:

• Dressing and undressing independently fosters confidence and self-reliance in children.
• Complex clothing designs can frustrate children attempting to dress themselves.
• Large openings are essential for easy dressing; front openings are easier to manage.
• Buttons should be large for easy grasping; small snaps, hooks, eyes, or bows at the waist/neck hinder self-help.
• Distinct front and back designs help children identify correct orientation.

Appearance:

• Children should express clothing preferences to develop decision-making skills.
• Bright outerwear colors aid visibility on playgrounds or streets.
• Design lines should enhance desirable features and minimize undesirable ones.
• Fabric designs (small checks, stripes, plaids, dainty prints) should suit smaller figures, as large designs may overwhelm.

Allowance for Growth:

• Clothing should accommodate growth, particularly in length, without being overly large, which compromises comfort and safety.
• Non-shrinking fabrics are ideal; trousers with cuffs, adjustable skirt straps, raglan sleeves, and shoulder tucks/pleats allow for length and width adjustments.

Easy Care:

• Easy-care clothing reduces children’s worry about dirt and simplifies maintenance for parents.
• Flat seams are durable; reinforced knees, pocket corners, and elbows enhance longevity.

Fabrics:

• Desirable fabrics are soft, firmly woven or knitted, easy to care for, comfortable, wrinkle-resistant, and soil-resistant.
• Dry-clean-only clothing should be avoided.
• Printed, corduroy, and textured fabrics show fewer wrinkles and soil.
• Cotton is widely used for its washability and comfort.
• Wool, though warm, requires special care and may irritate skin, so it should not be worn next to skin.
• Polyester, nylon, and acrylic are durable and easy to care for; cotton-polyester blends are more absorbent and comfortable than pure polyester.

Clothing Requirements at Different Childhood Stages

Infancy (Birth to Six Months):

• Warmth, comfort, and hygiene are critical due to infants’ primary activities of feeding, sleeping, and eliminating.
• Clothes should open down the front or have large openings to avoid slipping over the head.
• Drawstrings, especially around the neck, are hazardous and should be avoided.
• Fasteners must be easily accessible and safe to prevent injury.
• Frequent changes require ample shirts and diapers.
• Infant skin is delicate, requiring soft, lightweight, easy-to-wear fabrics.
• Sized fabrics may scratch skin; wool flannel is irritating, so baby flannel (wool-cotton or silk blend) is preferred for winter.
• Rapid growth means smaller sizes should be bought sparingly.
• Diapers must be soft, absorbent, washable, and quick-drying; homemade cotton diapers from sterilized old sheets or commercial gauze/bird’s eye/pre-shaped diapers are common, with proper fit essential.
• Undershirts vary by climate: cotton for warm weather, soft wool-cotton blends for cold.
• Cotton shirts in various easy-to-wear styles are preferred.
• In rural areas, infants often wear simple, homemade clothes from used materials.

Creeping Age (6 Months to One Year):

• Children show independence, pulling up to stand, reaching for objects, and sitting/standing, requiring protective and comfortable clothing.
• Loose, non-interfering garments allow free movement; knitted or bias-cut fabrics stretch for growth.
• Proper clothing supports good posture development; bulky clothes hamper motor movement.
• Lightweight garments are preferred over tightly knitted/woven ones, providing warmth by enmeshing air in winter.
• Overdressing should be avoided.
• Fabrics should be soft, smooth, soil-resistant, and easy to wash/iron (e.g., knits, seersuckers, wrinkle-resistant cottons/rayons).
• Frequent soiling requires garments with convenient openings for easy changes.
• Rompers and sun-suits (knitted or woven) are suitable, ensuring size and looseness do not restrict movement.
• Soft-soled shoes provide cold protection; training pants, snug at the hip, are used during toilet training.

Toddlerhood (1-2 Years):

• Toddlers are active, needing freedom for indoor/outdoor play and wanting to explore independently.
• Footwear becomes essential as walking begins; correct shoe and sock fit is critical for comfort and foot health.
• Flexible-soled shoes (1/8-inch thick, rough soles, no/slight heel, full/puffy toe area) are worn when walking starts.
• Shoes must be carefully fitted for length, width, toe space, and heel to prevent injury to soft foot bones.
• Well-fitted shoes support balance, climbing, and running; frequent replacement is needed due to rapid growth.
• Overalls are ideal, with large crotch areas for diapers.
• By age 2, children want to dress independently, requiring garments with self-help features (large openings, large buttons, distinct front/back designs).

Preschool Age (2-6 Years):

• Health and comfort remain priorities, with clothes needing to withstand rough play.
• Lightweight, pre-shrunk, easy-care materials like cotton are ideal for hygiene, absorbency, and laundering.
• Designs should ensure ease of care; trimmings that complicate washing/ironing should be avoided.
• Garments must withstand frequent laundering and hard wear, with secure fasteners, trimmings, easy-to-iron decorations, and flat, well-finished seams.
• Rapid growth requires few, versatile garments with growth features (cuffs, adjustable straps, raglan sleeves, tucks/pleats).
• Preschoolers develop color/style preferences, influenced by personality; girls may prefer feminine frocks with frills, while boys favor comfortable, peer-like clothing.
• Girls may wear pants/jeans/shorts, but boys typically do not wear feminine styles.
• Individuality should be respected, even for twins, who should not be dressed identically unless desired.
• Self-help features (one-piece garments, front long openings, large buttons, collarless necklines, large armholes) promote independence.
• Clothes should be comfortable, durable, attractive, and encourage self-reliance.

Elementary School Years (6-11 Years):

• Middle childhood involves heightened physical activity and sports interest for both genders.
• Clothing impacts social and emotional development, with children seeking peer acceptance through clothing choices.
• Inappropriate clothing may cause humiliation or reduced confidence in sensitive children.
• Comfort is essential; boys prefer rugged clothes for rough play, while girls may choose boyish or feminine styles.
• Children increasingly select their own clothing, resisting parental suggestions.
• Proper fit is critical, as poorly fitting clothes are often rejected; some children prioritize style over comfort.
• Absorbent fabrics (cotton, voile) manage perspiration; safety, easy care, growth allowance, and physique suitability remain important.

Adolescents (11-18 Years):

• Rapid, uneven growth requires minimal wardrobes, as clothes are quickly outgrown.
• Fit and style are teenagers’ top priorities, often overshadowing fabric quality or construction.
• Adolescents follow and create fashion trends and fads, spending significantly on clothing to emulate peers or role models.
• Clothing reflects their struggle for identity and peer conformity.
• For sports or workouts, comfortable clothes and shoes prevent strains, blisters, sprains, and soreness; washable fabrics and designs allow free movement and perspiration absorption to maintain hygiene and prevent skin issues.

Clothes for Children With Special Needs

• Clothing provides protection and fosters autonomy and competence, communicating self-impressions in social settings.
• Children with disabilities, despite limited physical movement, have potential for learning and growth.
• Dressing/undressing is significant for these children; independent dressing offers emotional satisfaction and pride.
• Severely disabled or incontinent children require carer assistance, making dressing time-consuming and tiring.
• Garment selection depends on the disability and associated challenges.
• Comfort is paramount; cotton is preferred for summer, and velvet corduroy or cotswool for winter.
• Garments must be strong to withstand abrasion from orthotic devices or wheelchairs, with reinforcements for calipers and braces.
• Easily accessible and fasten-able openings (e.g., velcros, zippers with key chains) are essential.
• Garments should be easy to wash, with simple designs for wearing/removal (wider necklines, elastic waist belts, front-open plackets, front pockets).
• Aesthetic appeal is crucial; clothes should resemble typical children’s clothing, be well-stitched, easy to wear, and feature appealing colors/prints to boost the wearer’s confidence.
• Garments must be tailored to the individual needs of the child and carer for optimal functionality.