English

Clothing

I knew exactly what I wanted to do: I wanted to build a brand of clothing around my own attitude and my own lifestyle. -Tommy Hilfiger

I'm always drawn to the author sitting in deep shadow, not daring to take off one minuscule portion of his clothing. -Jane Birkin

What is clothing? Is it something to cover your body? How much of my body needs to be covered? Does it come from the store? Can I make my own clothing? When should I wear clothing, at all times, or just some of the time? Who wears clothing? Where should I wear clothing, and what types? Why is my shirt a piece of clothing and my blanket not?

Clothing covers my body. I can change my style. If it is cold out, a jacket will keep me warm. Arms are free to move. Legs are free to walk. It is comfortable against my skin. Freedom to remove my vesture when I wish, separates this altered cloth from the permanent enclosure of my skin.

The methods in which my clothing stay, are unlike the effort required to wrap a loose piece of cloth around my body. Usually, a fastening device of some sort will keep my clothes on me. No effort on my part, aside from the initial donning of clothing, is required to keep these garments close to my body.

An article of clothing will cover a percentage of my body. Some articles are designed specifically for different parts of my body. Some, designed specifically for different roles. If I wear an army uniform, does that make me a soldier? If I put on a farmer's coveralls, do I become the farmer? Clothing is more than just cloth that covers my body. It covers a percentage of my character as well.

Clothing can be defined as, an altered material designed with a form of fastening device suited for the purpose of protection from the elements (sun, wind, cold), and emphasizing a particular role of gender or role in society by refracting the exposed character of an individual. Freedom of form and movement is important when considering an article that falls into this definition. Finally, clothing can be removed. If the item in question cannot be removed then it is no longer clothing.