UNIT 5

Clothing and personality, Clothing and attitude, Clothing and motivation,

Grooming.
First impressions are made within the first few seconds
First Impression =
– Words
Verbal communication
+
– Behavior
Non-verbal communication (behavior & manners)
+
– Personal Appearance
Non-verbal communication (clothing & grooming)

Types of Communication
 Verbal Communication
– Tone, choice of words, sounds
 Non-Verbal Communication
 Behavior and Manners- Polite, appropriate, people want to be around you
 Body Language - Eye contact, facial expressions, posture
 Clothing- Most obvious, consider color, neatness, style for self and occasion
 Grooming- General appearance, neat & clean, hair, teeth, nails, breath, make-up

Two Types of Messages

– Intended Message: What you want others to receive

– Actual Message: What others actually receive

Examples of Messages Given Through Clothing

 Personality
o Outgoing/shy, talkative/quiet, confident/unsure
 Emotions
o Happy, sad
 Self-concept
o Positive = take pride in appearance
o Negative = appearance not important
 Values
 Beliefs
 Occupation
 Status

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Why is non-verbal communication not always accurate in determining what type of
person someone is?

 Messages can be misinterpreted

 Stereotypes

There are 5 basic functions for the clothes that we wear.

#1- Protection:-

 The clothing that we wear protects our bodies.

 It can insulate from the cold and keep the sun from burning our skin.
 Special clothing protects people from harm in sports and certain occupations.
 Construction workers, firefighters, and police officers need special clothing for safety.
 Workers in hospitals and restaurants wear sanitary clothing and hair coverings to
prevent the spread of germs.

#2- Identification-

 Clothing and accessories can identify people as members of a group.

 Uniforms provide instant recognition of police officers, firefighters, and members of
the military.
 Uniforms create a special image for hotel staffs and airline workers and identify
athletic teams.
 Badges and pins on jackets and caps show participation in organizations and honors.

#3- Modesty-

 Clothing provides Modesty- a belief about the proper way to cover the body with
clothes.
 Modesty varies for different occasions.
o Ex: Bathing suits and bare feet are okay for the beach, but not for school.
 Modesty also varies throughout history.
o Ex: Woman used to be covered from the elbow to the knee even when
swimming; now the bikini is common.

#4- Status

 Clothing and accessories can show a person Status- position or rank within a group.
 Members of the military wear insignias to indicate their rank.
 Captains of athletic teams may have a special badge or marking on their uniform.

#5- Adornments

 People wear clothing and jewelry to enhance their appearance and attract attention.
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  As adornment, these decorations express uniqueness and creativity.
 They may bring admiration and recognition.
 Throughout history people have adorned their bodies with cosmetics and tattoos in
addition to clothing and jewelry
Some people use clothing as a tool for relating to others. To them, clothing is a shortcut
that reveals facts about a person. As a result, they may base the way they treat others on
what that person is wearing. Others may believe clothing to be misleading and believe
that it does not reveal facts about a person.

Choosing what to wear

Who decides what clothing you wear?

A number of reasons interact to help us decide each day the clothing that we will wear.
Basic Needs
 Remember the basic functions of clothing?
 Physical Needs- comfort, protection & safety.
 Social Needs- communicates information about our lives, helps identify with other
people and feel like part of a group.
 Emotional Needs- make you feel attractive and self-confident.

Activities
 Remember the basic functions of clothing?
 Clothing choices are linked to how and where you spend your time.
 A hiker or shopper will likely choose comfortable walking shoes.
 Even the people you will spend your time with influence what you wear- weekend
activities with family or friends may call for casual or dressy attire.
 Weather will influence how you dress- do you need a raincoat?
 You may have to wear specific clothing if you are part of a team or organization and
are attending those activities.

Personal Preference
 Everyone has likes and dislikes which is why clothes come in so many colors, fabrics
& styles.
 Your likes and dislikes are determined by your Values- beliefs about what is
important, desirable & worthwhile.
 What do you look for in clothes?
 Comfort, Durability, Low Cost, Easy Care, Latest Style
 The more you understand your personal preferences the easier it is to make the best
clothing choices for every occasion.

Influence of Family, Friends & Media

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  Family is a constant presence in most people’s lives so it’s impact easily goes
unnoticed.
 Where the family lives and favorite activities greatly influences what is worn.
 Friends have a large influence on how we dress and act.
 We all have the need to feel accepted by others many times this is linked to having the
right look or style.
 The messages communicated through media also influence clothing.
 Media is all around: TV, magazines, radio, movies, newspapers, catalogs, billboards.
 Advertising- lets you know where to go to get the item and how much it costs.
 Appeals to the emotions- making you feel like you need the item.
 Celebrities inspire trends and are spokespersons for advertisements.
 Media uses Status Symbols- give the wearer a special feeling of importance or wealth-
to encourage the consumer

Society & Community- Society-

 A group of individuals who live together in a particular area.
 American society used to be more formal with many clothing rules.
o People dressed up to travel; women were not allowed to wear slacks.
 Today American dress is more casual.
o People dress for comfort when traveling, men and women both wear denim in
a variety of settings.
 Worldwide Communication means that media outlets from across the world are
influencing the way Americans dress.

Marketplace & Money

 Global Marketplace- you can buy clothing from around the world in local stores and
with a click of a mouse online!
 Every consumer wants the best quality for the lowest price and will shop where they
can get the best deal.
 Depending on the money available families and individuals turn to various shopping
options to find clothing.
o Second-hand or Consignment shops are common.

Cultures and customs

Today people communicate and travel across the world with ease. Places that once
seemed far away and different are now familiar. Each society has its own Culture-
collected ideas, skills, beliefs, and institutions. Food, entertainment, art, religion,
politics, & technology are all a part of a society’s culture. Cultural differences are
what set one society apart from another. Every culture has unique and special qualities
including the clothing that people wear.

Clothing as Symbols
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  Why does a bride in the U.S. traditionally wear a white gown?
 In American culture white symbolizes innocence, faith, and purity.
 In China brides wear red garments because it symbolizes joy and permanence.
 Clothing has many symbolic meanings.
 It can tell you about a person's heritage, occupation, role, gender, and values.
Roles
 For graduation you will have a special robe and hat- these symbolize your role as a
graduate.
 Clothing identifies many Roles- positions that people have in society.
 For Example: The bride is symbolized by her white dress. The marching band by
their uniform, and the athlete by is jacket and badges.
Gender
 For many years clothing symbolized gender.
 Women wore skirts and men wore pants.
 Today both wear pants, however, the way that clothes are designed for men and
women still remain different.
Values
 Clothing and accessories also show values of a culture or group.
 Membership in a religious group might be symbolized by jewelry with crosses, stars
or other religious symbols.
 Clothing reflects modesty.
 In some cultures wearing very little clothing is acceptable.
o For example a loincloth.
 Others require that the body be completely covered.

Clothing & Behavior

People sometimes wonder whether clothing affects a person’s behavior. Some say it does
and others that it doesn’t. For example, does wearing clothing that is very casual mean that
less work gets done at the office? Are students more studious if they wear school uniforms

Clothing & Self-Expression

 Clothing is one of the many tools that we use daily to express ourselves.
 It sends messages about a person- sometimes accurate, sometimes not.
 People use clothing to express their personality, emotions, and individual style.
 Clothing creates an Impression- image that forms in the mind of others.
 When you come into contact with other people, you create an impression.

Creating Impressions
 Very quickly when you meet someone or enter a room, judgments are made.
 This is what we call a First Impression and is usually formed within a minute or two.

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  First impressions are powerful and may determine whether or not you get the
opportunity to make a second impression.
 People quickly interpret what they see and hear with little thought.
 The visual and verbal clues that you send out link to assumptions or impressions in
other people’s thoughts- they may or may not be true.
Creating Impressions - Appearance
Often people notice what someone is wearing before they see their face or hear their
voice.
 The style, color, fit and neatness of clothing will influence opinions.
 An impression is based on a combination of clothes, grooming, behavior, and general
health.
 Good grooming is key to a good appearance.
 Make sure your hair, skin, hands, and teeth are all clean.

Creating Impressions- Behavior

 “Actions speak louder than words!”
 The way you act and behave toward others, shows a lot about you.
 Politeness gives one impression, while rudeness gives another.
 Manners have a strong influence on whether an impression is favorable or not.
 Behavior is conveyed through verbal and non-verbal messages.
 Verbal Messages- is communication with words.
o This is easy to observe.
o The tone of the voice and specific words spoken quickly add to an impression.
 Nonverbal Messages- is communication without words.
o People send nonverbal messages with their body language.
o Eye contact, facial expressions, posture, arm and leg positions, and even
distance from others.

Accuracy of First impressions

 No matter who you are, you are judged by first impressions.
 Think about what first impressions you have formed lately about different people you
have met.
 First impressions affect what you think and how you will interact with other people.
 First impressions can be misleading, and cause us to form stereotypes.
 A stereotype tries to sum up another person based on a few obvious traits.
– EX: race, age, size, or gender.

Clothing and Personal Appearance

 We focus on what people are wearing because unlike height and eye color, clothing is
a choice.
 It is important to understand the message that clothing communicates so that you can
become aware of how others might react to what you wear.
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  Understanding what clothing communicates helps to insure that the message that you
are sending about yourself is on that you truly want to send.
 Clothing tells people about your personality.
 It can connect you with a group of people or set you apart.
 Personality is an individual’s unique combination or mental, emotional, and social
qualities.
 Your personality influences the clothing styles that you like.
 Emotions can affect clothing choices.
 If you’re happy you are more likely to choose bright colors.
 If you’re feeling down you may subconsciously choose dark colors.
You may choose to wear your favorite t-shirt because it makes you feel comfortable
and secure.
 Have you ever seen a picture or video of yourself and said, “That doesn’t look like
me.”
 We each have our own self-concept- or image of ourselves.
 Thoughts about who you are and what you’re like can be positive, negative, or
somewhere between.
 Self-concept can influence how you look.
 If you see yourself as friendly and cheerful, that is how you will act. You will project
positive feelings.

Clothing and body adornments communicate information to others such as position,

personality, and relationships.

 Initial Impression is based on appearance

 Grooming and hygiene
 Posture
 Facial expressions
 Handshake
 Verbal greetings
 Personal adornments

Appearance Impression

Dirty Unreliable and

unprofessional

Body piercing & tattoos Unprofessional, unreliable,

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 immature,

Dangerous

Clean and Neat Professional and reliable

 Clothing
Professional attire should be neat and clean

To present professional appearance and inspire confidence:

– Clothing should fit properly

– Be in good repair (free from tears, missing buttons, broken zippers, uneven
hemlines)
– Shoes should be neat, clean, and comfortable

CLOTHING AND ATTITUDE

People have different attitudes to fashion. Some are indifferent - they do not care what
they wear. Others, especially women, are very choosy and particular about what to wear
and like to spend a lot of money on clothes. Some people buy ready-made clothes, others
prefer to have them made to measure or buy them at second-hand shops. Some people
have excellent taste in dress and are
always dressed perfectly, others are slovenly in dress. There are some people who want to
be dressed according to the latest fashion at all costs even if it does not suit them. It seems
that it is a hobby for them to follow the fashion magazines and see what a few leading
designers in Paris, Rome, London or New York present. For some people fashion is a
matter of differentiation, the eagerness to distinguish oneself from one's fellows. For
others it is a need to match their ideal model by imitating his/her appearance.
Different factors which have influenced the styles of clothing, such as geography,
climate, poverty and wealth have played their role. We can also note how rich people
altered their clothes with every fancy of their tailor while the poor people's garments
changed slowly. Then the cheap manufacture of cloth and the invention of the sewing
machine brought about a revolution.

Readymade clothes have become relatively cheap and now fashionable trends are
imitated all over the world. On the other hand all of these facts resulted in a kind of
uniformity. It is hard to tell the class, profession or even sex by the form of dress.
Fashion concerns not only clothes, but also hair style, make-up and accessories, such as
shoes, handbags, gloves, belts, hats, scarf’s or jewellery and glasses. Clothing, footwear
and cosmetics manufacturers as well as jewellery makers and hairdressers need to make
money.
Styles, cuts, designs and particularly the length of clothes change very quickly because
dressmaking has become a big business nowadays. Tight-fitting miniskirts may be in at
one time, soon to be replaced by mid calf length and loose dress or maxi-style. Fashions
often come back to older styles. What is out of fashion, funny or ridiculous now, may
look romantic a few decades later.

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But the fashions never repeat themselves quite in the same way. There can be a whole
range of distinctive features. We could note various types of neckline (high or low, oval,
V-neck, boat neck, tie or polo neck, with collar or collarless), and various cuts of sleeves
(inset, raglan, dropped shoulder or batwing). The dress may have a classic line, A-line or
be straight. The waistline may be natural, high or low. At one time straight or slit skirts
are in, at another full, bell-shaped or divided skirts become trendy.
There is also a variety of materials the dress can be made of - traditional natural materials
such as cotton, wool, linen, silk and the vast collection of new fabrics based on man-made
fibres. But everybody usually looks for first class, washable, non-iron, crease- and shrink-
resistant fabric. Their design can be plain or patterned (flowered, geometric, striped,
checked, dotted or spotted) and taken from the whole spectrum of colours running from
the brightest and most garish to the coolest and most subdued.
The way we dress also depends on our taste, on the season and the proper occasion. We
should know what kind of accessories complement to dress and what colours match each
other. In summer we wear light summer dresses, loose blouses with a low neckline and
with short sleeves or without sleeves, skirts gathered at the waist or bell-shaped, cropped
trousers, shorts or Bermuda
Shorts and various T-shirts. On our feet we pull on sandals, mules, slippers or plimsolls.
When we go swimming we put on a swim suit (bikini, one-piece or two-piece) or trunks,
sometimes a beach gown and a straw hat. In winter we need to wear something warm -
suits, trousers, jeans, woollies, cardigans, polo neck sweaters, jumpers, anoraks and
parkas, winter coats and jackets, sometimes even a fur coat, gloves and mittens, caps,
hoods, hats, scarf’s and mufflers And boots of course. On special occasions we like to be
dressed properly too. When we go to a concert or to the theatre we prefer to be dressed
up. We wear an evening dress, which consists of a dark suit, a light shirt and a tie or a
bowtie, sometimes a dinner jacket, an evening gown, court shoes and pumps. For sports
we put on sports wear, such as jeans, shorts, T-shirts, blazers, parkas, track suits and to
the mountains a waterproof jacket or anorak and sports shoes (trainers, plimsolls, heavy
boots or ski shoes). At home we like to feel comfortable, and so we prefer leisure wear -
slacks, jeans and T-shirts and on our feet slippers or mules. To school we wear something
practical and plain. The most favourite wear of teenagers includes jeans or trousers, shirts
and T-shirts of different colours, sweatshirts or pullovers and trainers. For workshop or
cleaning jobs we must put on an apron, overall or overalls.
Special kinds of clothes are uniforms and costumes. Uniforms are worn particularly by
professionals such as the police, the armed forces, health workers, sometimes workers of
a certain firm. It is still a tradition in some schools in Britain (mostly private ones) to
wear a school uniform. It usually consists of a white shirt and grey or dark trousers and a
dark sweater or blazer with a school badge on the breast pocket and perhaps a cap (for
younger boys). Unlike the boys who do not mind wearing uniforms because they do not
differ very much from ordinary clothes, the girls complain about them and hate wearing
them. A girl’s uniform looks quite different from an ordinary girl’s dress because it
consists of a plain coat, a blouse and a skirt in some dark colour, such as grey, navy blue
or brown. Girls would prefer ordinary clothes to express their personality or perhaps they
just feel more comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt. The argument for uniforms is that they
prevent competition among the girls and hide differences in family incomes.
Costumes on the other hand reflect the style of a past time. Apart from the theatre they are
not seen very often, only on special occasions. Scotsmen are well-known for their
national costume which consists of a kilt (a short skirt with many pressed pleats), knee-

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 length woollen socks, a cap and a sporran (a fur-covered bag worn as a purse). The kilt is
made of tartan, a kind of woollen cloth
woven in stripes of various colours which cross at right angles so as to form a pattern.
The difference is in the colours and the width of the stripes. Most tartans have either
green or red as the dominant colour.
The fashion changes so fast that often we face the question of what to do with clothes
which we do not need any longer. It is easy to discard worn-out clothes but what to do
with unworn clothes which you do not like any more? People in the west often arrange
jumble or garage sale but it is not a custom in our country yet. Some people store them up
in their wardrobe if they have enough room,
Pass them down to somebody younger or give them to a charity organisation. Women
who can do needlework (sew, knit, crochet or embroider) often remake an old dress and
change it into a new stylish model which is admired by their colleagues as if it was
bought in a boutique.
Some people do not choose their dress with regard to the latest fashion, they apply a wait
and-see attitude and wear what suits them, what is healthy and what they can afford The
most important thing is that such dresses are neat and clean, they look smart and elegant
and they feel comfortable.

CLOTHING AND MOTIVATION

Throughout history, a variety of outside influences and internal preferences have

motivated women across the globe concerning their choices in clothing. While obvious
factors, such as protection and warmth are some of the reasons why a woman puts on the
attire she chooses in the morning, clothing also serves as a powerful way to express and
COMMUNICATE identity. Below you will find some of the reasoning behind today's
clothing selections and fashion pertaining to women.

Modesty
While the concept of modesty is different for each and every place in time, over the years
it has played an important role in women's fashion. In various parts of the world and time
periods, it was frowned upon or forbidden for a woman to show off her legs, shoulders,
back, and cleavage. While the United States no longer enforces strict social policies on
women and the clothes they wear, some cultures still uphold the aspect of modesty in
women's fashion.
For instance, Muslim cultures expect women to cover most of their body while in public.
This has created a wide-ranging market of lengthy and concealing garments in cotton,
wool, polyester, silk, rayon, and denim. Common attire includes Hijab under scarves,
long lycra gloves, abayas (long cloak-like garments); and jilbabs (outer- and over
garments including long robes and coats).

Beauty
One of the main reasons a woman slips into the sultry black dress for a cocktail party or
chooses a pants suit that matches her eye color is to create an attractive appearance. Over
time, the ideal of beauty has changed within different cultures, where cleavage-bearing
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 blouses, tight skirts, and high hems no longer bind women's fashion. The perception of
beauty is different for all, where an increasing amount of women forego dressing to
impress others, and now choose their clothing according to what makes them feel
attractive and alluring.
Depending on the wearer, a clean black business suit with a crisp white collared shirt is
just as appealing as a full-length formal gown. Sometimes, just the right accessories add
a seductive finishing touch, such as a pair of dangling earrings or eye-catching open-toe
shoes. Attitude and self-confidence also helps to heighten a wardrobe, which is very
beautiful and seductive in its own right.

Status
Women's clothing choices are also motivated by their status or position within a social
group, as some pieces call attention to a specific affiliation. This is seen in the skirts
worn by a college tennis team or the elaborate robes worn by members of African tribal
royalty. In the United States, corporate executives, lawyers, and other high-income
career positions are often identified by the type of clothes worn.

Ceremonies
Various forms of women's fashion are set aside for specific ceremonies and occasions
that mark significant moments in her life. This is seen in the common attire for
weddings; the gowns of a debutante ball society. These dresses are often elaborate,
flashy, classic, or once-in-a-lifetime garments that hold special meaning.

Current fashion trends

In the United States, women often follow the latest fashion trends, whether it is cutting
their hair like a celebrity (ie. Halle Berry or Jennifer Aniston); choosing a designer purse
(ie. the patchwork Coach bag or the Birken); or selecting clothing that matches the
newest "color of the season."

GROOMING
 Personal grooming is just as important as what you wear. You may select the right
clothes, but neglecting personal hygiene can ruin the image you wish to present

 Hair Clean, trimmed, and neatly combed or arranged.

 Facial Hair (men ) Freshly shaved; moustache or beard neatly groomed.
 Fingernails Neat, clean, and trimmed.
 Teeth Brushed and fresh breath. Beware of foods which may leave breath odour. Use a
breath mint if needed.
 Body freshly bathed/showered; use deodorant.
 Remove body piercings, tongue rings, and cover tattoos if possible.
 Make-up (Women) Use sparingly and be natural looking.
 Perfumes/ Colognes/ After Shave Use sparingly or none at all. Your "scent" should not
linger after you leave.

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 Goals of Appropriate Dress and Grooming
 The primary goal is to "feel good" about the way you look and project a positive
image. When you feel good about yourself, you naturally convey confidence and a
positive attitude. These nonverbal messages are as important in the interview as the
verbal skills you use in selling your qualifications. Persistence and follow-up are the keys
to a successful job search. If you are serious about employment, plan your follow-up.
There is not such thing as a wasted effort, and the only dead lead is the one you chose to
kill. Situations change and the employer who is not hiring today may be looking for
someone with your qualifications in the future.

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