We dress primarily to decorate and adorn our bodies to change our appearance, however there are other social functions for dress in cultures. From my closet, I find six examples.
For protection from the elements we cover our bodies with the skin, hair and feathers of other creatures, taking advantage of nature's design. A down filled vest covers the body core. The arms and legs are free to move about.
The surface decoration of a textile becomes the decoration of the body. The embroidery and mirrors on this thin cotton tunic and pant form Pakistan decorates the neck, chest, wrist and ankles of the wearer.
Articles worn by women often differ from those worn by men. In most cultures, there is women's dress. There are specific terms to describe the garments for the different genders. An example is this Indian sari, made of silk with a cotton petticoat and blouse.
No comments:
Post a Comment