Clothing Selection For The Family

CLOTHING SELECTION FOR THE FAMILY

Clothing selection for the family presents a greater challenge today than in past generations. Custom and habits are no longer adequate criteria for clothing decisions. The kind and variety of clothes available today seem almost limitless, as a result of the new technology and its accompanying mass production of garments. The inventions of the man-made fibers have been one of the most important stimulants in the recent revolution in clothing and textiles. These fibers have increased greatly the variety and types of clothing available to families. The rising income over the last quarter century has made it possible for families of all income levels in the country to exercise choice in the area of clothing. All these factors have influenced the range and emphasized the importance of decision to be made by families in providing clothing for their members.

Clothing for marriage and the first year

The following suggestion will help the prospective bride or bridegroom to select clothing that meets all the qualifications,

               Choose the garments and accessories that reflect the personality. Bold designs, strong colour contrasts, rich fabrics are suitable for individuals with forceful personalities, whereas small details, delicate fabrics, and dainty colours are best for those with gentle personalities.

               Select clothing that is flattering to the figure. Figure irregularities must also be considered.

               The colours selected should enhance the colour of the skin.

               Coordinate colours to make each individual outfit pleasing as well as to integrate the whole wardrobe.

               Should choose only those designs and fabrics that represent moderation in current fashion.

               Keep in mind the different occasions for which an article of clothing will be needed.

               The clothes planned for the wedding should constitute the basic wardrobe for bride and bridegroom for the following year or more.

               The new clothes purchased must be selected to supplement the articles in the present wardrobes of the bride and groom so that a complete, well-balanced wardrobe will be on hand after the marriage ceremony.

The average young couple begins their married life in an apartment where storage space is at a premium, so that the wardrobe must be planned with this in view.

               Any clothing that requires a great deal of time and money for maintence will be unsuitable if the bride expects to work after the marriage, if laundry facilities are limited, or if there will be limited funds for clothing maintence.

               Any wedding clothing that will not be worn after the wedding must be stored and cared for or disposed off.

Clothing for Honeymoon

               The place, season, mode of travel and duration of the honeymoon will determine the type and amount of clothing needed.

               A week end in some large city, a few days in the mountains, a week at the seashore, or a leisurely motor trip of sight seeing is much more common these days than a long cruise, an extended tour, or a trip abroad.

               In planning the honeymoon, a couple should seriously question going to a place that requires special clothing for which they will have no use latter on.

               Clothing for a honeymoon in the mountains or at the seashore is usually casual.

               Semiformal clothes may be needed for afternoon or evening functions

Clothing for Expectant Mother

               Keeping attractive with smart maternity clothes, careful grooming, and well-chosen make-up helps the expectant mother maintain her morale at a high level.

               The most obvious is the change in silhouette, primarily the breast and abdominal areas.

               Ready-made maternity garments are usually sized so that the pregnant women can continue to wear her customary size.

               Garments made from knit fabrics containing easy-stretch yarns of cotton or nylon are very satisfactory.

Clothing for the Infant (up to 9 months)

The three 'musts' in clothing the newborn baby are warmth, comfort, and hygienic qualities. The amount and type of clothing which the infant will need will be determined to some extent by the time of the year, general climatic conditions, warmth of child's room and condition of the infant. The most suitable fiber for infant's clothing is cotton, because it is soft, and can be kept hygienically safe by washing in hot or boiling water.

Key points for selection of infant's clothing

               Infant's clothes should be selected primarily on the basis of comfort and ease of care. Garments which need no ironing, easy to put on the baby, and have no hard or rough surface to cause discomfort are considered most suitable.

               Baby clothes should be soft, pliable and not irritating.

They should provide ventilation to allow any moisture to evaporate. Inadequate ventilation causes moisture to stay next to baby's sensitive skin and may result in skin irritations.

               Clothing should be simple and well made. Fancy trimmings require extra care in laundering and often irritate the baby.

               Knit fabric garments stretch with body movements and are easy to put on the infant.

               Openings all the way down the front or back make dressing simpler.

               Ties or flat fasteners are more comfortable; drawstring necklines are not recommended because the infant might become caught in the strings.

               If ties or buttons are used, they should be inspected often to make sure that they are sewed securely.

               The rate of physical growth is very rapid. Extra seam allowances and hems can be given.

Clothing for Creeper (9 months to 1 year)

After the baby has began to creep about, more clothes are required, partly for safety's sake. Overalls are the simplest form of garment for both sexes especially those with snaps in the crotch help easy change of diaper. Overalls shield tender knees from floor.

               Reinforcement in the knees of pant legs will provide for greater durability.

               Snapper or gripers on the crotch of overall save time when diaper changes are necessary.

               Garments of firmly woven or knitted fabrics with appropriate seam finishes will give good service for rough wear and many launderings.

               In cold weather zones a snowsuit, mittens, and hood will be necessary. A lightweight wind resistant, and washable fabric such as nylon or polyester is desirable.

               During the creeping ages soft-soled shoes may be worn if protection from cold is needed. Shoes are about � inch longer than the toe, and stocking should be � inch longer than the foot.

               Training pants are often worn when toilet training begins. (Fig). Training pants will continue to be worn until toilet training is accomplished. These pants are made of two-way stretch fabrics, which fit snugly at the hip. Centre panel of two, three, and four layers provide for absorption and protection. Training pants of knit fabrics are desirable, since they will give ease as the child moves about, and the stretch inherent in the fabric will allow for some degree of growth.

               Creepers are physically more active than newborn baby. Their clothes should be able to absorb sweat due to the child's activities. Strong and durable fabrics are suitable for this age group. They crawl on the floor, fabrics from knees wear off due to friction. But strong and durable fabrics can withstand the friction. Reinforcement can be given at knees with the help of a patch.

               Garments with adjustable straps are more suitable due to growing stage.

Clothing for the Toddler (1-2 years)

               The toddler needs clothing that provides maximum freedom for all the activities usual at this stage. 

Again, overalls are preferred, especially if they have wide shoulder straps that are long enough for adjustments as the child grows.

               Toddlers commonly wear one-piece garments with zipper openings at the legs or crotch.

One-piece pyjamas are usually safer and neater than two-piece ones. Pyjamas should be made of soft, washable material.

Toddler

Clothing for the Preschool child (2-4 years)

Clothing for the preschool-age child may become a major problem for the family because it is expensive, yet is used for only a short time. It should be selected to help the child develop self-reliance, practice social skills and interact with peers. Garments should be flexible, comfortably warm, easily cleaned, soft, durably encourage self reliance, convenient for frequent toileting, adjustable to the rapidly growing body, and attractive in design and fabric. Children of this age also need make-believe clothing to accommodate their dream world fantasies.

Allowance for growth

               Growth is most rapid during the preschool years.

               Buying clothes with growth features will enable a garment to be worn over a longer period of time.

To provide for growth in height

               Skirts and dresses with deep hems or tucks at the bottom need to be provided.

               Dresses and trousers with tucks at the waistline to lengthen the upper part of dress or to lengthen the crotch.

               Overalls with adjustable long straps and deep hems are included.

               Yokes with crosswise tucks that can be released as trunk or body lengthens.

               Dresses with indefinite waistline or no waistline and deep hems to be added.

               Stretch fabrics and,

Two-piece garments are suitable cloth for pre-school.

To provide for growth in girth or width

               Use raglan or kimono sleeves rather than set in sleeves.

               Introduce tucks, pleats or gathers at the shoulder line.

               Use of large underarm or leg seams to let out as needed.

Garments should be reinforced at places of greatest wear, especially the knees of pants and overalls, crotch and underarm seams.

Self help features

A self-help garment is one, which the child can put on and take off with little or no help from an adult. This feature is as important to child as to his mother. The experience of learning to dress himself makes the child more independent and self-confident. Here are some points to remember in selecting garments that will encourage independence in dressing. (Fig)

               Simple styles are easier to manipulate than complicated ones.

               Long openings are located for easy reach. Front openings are easier to handle than back or side openings.

               Large buttons or fasteners are easier to manage than small ones.

               Ample armholes, sleeves and necks make garments easier to get into. .

               The back of a garment should be easily distinguishable from the front. In pants, it is wise to sew a colored thread either at the front or back of the waist to help the child distinguish one from the other.

               The side of the shoes that goes to the outside should be marked, to help the small child to identify the right from left.

               Collarless dresses, blouses, and shirts are easier to handle than those with collars.

               Avoid separate belts, as these get twisted and caught in the dressing.

boy : Clothing for School Going Children (5 to 11 years)

                        Clothing needs for elementary school children vary in some respects from those of the preschools, although many requirements remain the same. This period is a very active one physically; sports rate high in interest for both boys and girls. Clothing plays an important role in social development, as definite ideas about clothing likes and dislikes are developing. This is an age of belonging to a group and what the group wears is very important.

                        Children want to gain acceptance from their peers, to confirm to the gang or group is their way of belonging. They become self-conscious if they dress up in a different manner. Feeling of inferiority may result if they wear an odd look garment.

Clothing for Pre-adolescents (12 years 15 years)

                        There is rapid acceleration in growth, as the body is changing and taking on adult characteristics. They are interested in clothes and grooming up. The peer group becomes even more important than elementary school years, in conforming to the dress of the peer group. The pre-adolescent is much more interested in his relationship with others. The child is extremely sensitive to opinion and approvals of others. They give more importance to becomingness, Prince, beauty and conformity as compared to durability and comfort. The order of importance of various aspects vary with the income groups for example, low socio-economic group give more importance to durability, comfort and price as compared to high income group.

Clothing for Adolescents (15 to 20 years)

                        For girls the great acceleration in growth has passed its peak by middle adolescence, although some boys may still be growing rapidly. They are developing emotionally, mentally and socially, but are still far from the poised and popular adult. Both sexes seek increased approval from the peers. Adolescents become more conscious of grooming and personal appearance, particularly in terms of what will attract more attention from and admired by others. They want well-fitted, fashionable and expensive garments. Comfort and serviceability are sacrificed for the sake of style and fashion. They seek acceptance and approval of the peer group. This tends to develop within them a deep conservation and tendency to conform. They embrace clothing as means of demonstrating their conformity. They are greatly interested in clothing and concerned with their physical appearance. Clothing becomes a means of expressing personality.

Clothing for Adult

A person becomes an adult between 18-21 years of age. A person is mature enough to select the clothes on the basis of income, status, occupation, climate, age, sex, occasion and fashion. A well-dressed person not only appears capable to others but also feels more confident and capable himself. A man's wardrobe is different from a woman. Man's wardrobe includes clothes for business, sports and formal wear. Complete wardrobe for a man includes shirts, trousers, shorts, socks, ties, shoes, nightwear and suit. To an extent of a woman's wardrobe depends on her husband's income, her social activities and her profession. Workingwoman needs more clothes as compared to a housewife. Those who are socially active also require more clothes than a housewife.

Clothing for Elderly

A esthetically, clothing can serve three functions for the older person,

                         Call attention to one's good features

                         Camouflage poor features

                         Give a psychologist lift

Older women may have a sagged bust line, increased waist and hip measurements, and rounded shoulders. Therefore, camouflage is necessary; less extreme lines and styles and looser dresses are generally pleasing. Due to change in colour of hair and skin, different colours may now be flattering. Designs, which emphasize the waist, are generally not becoming.

For Women

               Knowing the body shape is essential for dressing appropriately for the age. Get in front of a full-length mirror and try on all the clothes in the closet. Get rid of anything that is too tight and too revealing.

               Stick with the classic looks. A well-tailored salwar kameez of different styles or blouse with sari always has been in vogue in India.

               Follow trends in small doses, do it with accessories such as jewellery and scarves. Wearing a few accessories show that one is still fashion forward but not a slave to clothing trends.

For Men

               Choose clothing that fits the body. Buy button- down shirts that fit both the neck and arm measurements, get the pants tailored and don't wear anything that is too tight or too loose.

               Avoid double-breasted suits.

               Wear appropriate casual clothing. Choose jeans and khakis with straight-cut leg and collared cotton polo shirts.

CONCLUSION

Dressing sense is said to be the reflection of a person's personality as well as it reflects the occasion for which the individual person attends. Depending upon this people are of different tastes, cultures and behavioral of works. Dresses or cloths are divided into casuals wear, formal wear, comfort wear and traditional wear. Moreover, clothing has been regarded as one of the best ways to distinguish social classes, sexes, occupation, marital status and ethnic or religious affiliation.

To conclude, the clothing for children and adolescents should be selected with as much care as that for the adult. Good garments are of the size and design that makes for comfort in wearing, ease of movement and care.