Social Functions of Dress

Environmental Protection: To stay cool in the summer, “usually worn without underclothes.” Also used as a bathrobe, nightgown and morning gown.”

http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/kimono/woman-yukata.html

Decoration

Women's Traditional Buckskin Dress: Worn at Ceremonial Gatherings, Pow Wow's. Artwork includes tedious beadwork, fringework, embroidery (by hand), all handwork and does not include the use of sewing machines. Usually held together with leather lacing or sinew.

http://www.fancydancerleatherdesigns.com/details.asp?itemid=11

Gender Differentiation:

Tradtional Wedding Attire for Bride and Groom

Designers: Joseph and Feiss. Also a form of Ceremonial Function of Dress.

Group Membership: Espanola NM (20 miles North of Santa Fe, NM) young men dress in group membership dress to differentiate from other groups, usually black and white, including t-shirts with rap or other music logos!

Ceremonial: "Furisode" A type of kimono that “… is traditionally worn only by women before marriage.” The elaborate embroidery is used to show status of family…”

http://dept.kent.edu/museum/exhibit/furisode/main.htm

FurisodeJapan, 2ca. 1975-1985, Ivory silk satin embroidered with metallic thread and multi-colored silk floss Silverman/Rodgers Collection,KSUM 1983.1.0844

Sexual Enhancement

Worn for beauty enhancement by various social classes, however, traditional corsets caused health problems, mostly due to tight binding and materials used, including whalebone stays. Now created with wire or plastic stays for the contemporary woman. Usually worn for a form of sexual enhancement .

Corset, 1891Maison Léoty (French), DesignerFrenchsilk; [no dimensions available]Gift of Miss Marion Hague, 1945 (C.I.45.27)


http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/collection_database/the_costume_institute/corset_maison_leoty/objectview_zoom.aspx?page=5&sort=5&sortdir=asc&keyword=&fp=1&dd1=8&dd2=29&vw=1&collID=29&OID=80003627&vT=2

Haute Couture A Unique and Important Role in History of Fashion

Historical Fashion SourceBook

A Fashion Sourcebook includes photos and images that have been documented and/or referenced, or otherwise can be found on the web or other material sources, of Fashion History. Within the Fashion SourceBook, you will find sources of Historical Reference that caused what we have been and continue and continue to influenced by in our world of Apparel, Fashion, or otherwise Trends that we rely on today. From Historical, Cultural, Social Realms, Political Circles, to the Beauty of our natural world, Fashion has taken place in its most unique way. In this Blog you will find interesting material along with beautiful images and photos that will draw reference for the History of Fashion.