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