Some
weird fetish?
A feature of all human
societies, except perhaps the most primitive, is the wearing
of clothing or clothes, especially in public. The primary
purpose of clothing is functional, as a protection from
the elements. In hot climates the functional need for
clothing is minimal, while in very cold climates it is
very high. Shelter usually reduces the functional need
for clothing. For example, coats, gloves, etc. would normally
be removed when entering a warm home. Clothes also have
other functional purposes, such as safety during an activity,
such as work or sport. But even within these contexts,
clothes also perform social and cultural functions. They
generally conform with modesty and religious standards
of the time and place, and act as social and cultural
indicators such as status, wealth and the like. Within
these contexts, they also function as a form of adornment
and an expression of personal taste. Clothes nowadays,
including functional clothes, have a fashion context.
In history, clothes have been from many materials - ranging
from grasses to furs to much more elaborate and exotic
materials. Based on scientific research into lice it is
estimated that humans have been wearing clothing for 650,000
years.
People also decorate their bodies with makeup or cosmetics,
scented perfume, and other ornamentation; they also cut,
dye, and arrange the hair on their heads, faces, and bodies,
and sometimes also mark their skin (by tattoos, scarifications,
and piercings). All these decorations may contribute to
the overall effect and message of clothing, but do not
constitute clothing... |
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