1.3 Clothing

The way we dress makes a statement about who we are. It can also be very artistic at times. Most people will dress a certain way either to stand out or to blend in. The way we choose to dress either helps us fit into a group or identify as individuals. The global market offers an incredible variety of styles and textiles; the beauty of cloth and design connects us to people all over the world.

Around the world, dress is varied and interesting. It is based on traditions and values, and it is adapted to the environment. Dress is also based on available products, such as silk or fur. An amazing variety occurs in the dress of different cultures. Today, traditional dress is becoming less common, and mass produced Western style clothing is becoming more popular.

But clothing also connects us in some uncomfortable ways. The textile and garment industries are among the most globalized of all industries. Clothing is produced in nearly every country in the world, often for sale elsewhere. Together, the garment and textile industries make up the largest source of industrial employment in the world.

Working in the garment industry has never been an easy job. Operators are not paid by the hour, but rather by the number of pieces they produce. Therefore, a person's pay depends on how fast she is able to work. The work is hard and the pay is low.

So what we wear is an example of how art can be affected by intentional and unintentional influences. Our interconnectedness encourages people to dress in similar ways. The media allow people all over the world to see the same images of fashion through television, magazines, and the Internet. The global marketplace allows people to buy and wear similar styles and brand names. Yet, as our style of dress becomes more uniform around the world, unique traditions and customs are lost. When people all over the world dress the same way, true homogenization of cultures will have occurred.