6 Functions of Dress

1. Environmental Protection

United States Coast Guard Immersion Suit - These suits are used for crews that are in extreme weather situations, such as the crews of the ice breaker ships that patrol the Northern part of the Pacific Ocean off of Washington State. These suits allow a person to survive a fall into the ocean during winter.

Image from April 11, 2007

2. Decoration

Mardi Gras Parade Participants - New Orleans - February 4, 2008

Every year residents of New Orleans, Louisana participate in Mardi Gras. The participants decorate themselves as anything and everything for the parades. Mardi Gras is the end to the pre-Lenten Carnival fun.

3. Gender Differentiation

During World War II women went to work in the factories to help support our country. The women who worked had to wear appropriate clothing for their jobs. This helped contribute to the change in dress for women over the decades. The image below is of women working on a bomber at the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California in 1942.

4. Group Membership

Members of the U.S. Supreme Court wear the same robes no matter if they are male or female. The only thing that separates the men and women are what they wear under the robes. These robes identify them as part of the highest court in the United States.

Image showing Supreme Court in 2006.

5. Ceremonialism

For most people one of the most important ceremonies of their life is their wedding ceremony. For Chinese people it is very important to follow their customs when getting married. One of the customs when getting married is for the women to wear red, the red dress is supposed to bring the bride good luck.

Image from April 4, 2008

6. Sexual Enhancement

Elvis was considered to be very sexual during his peak in music. Many tv shows did not show him from the waist down to avoid getting viewers upset. He is considered to be the King of Rock n' Roll.

Image below: 1968 Elvis Comeback Special