Clothing

Introduction

Clothing (also known as clothes, garments, apparel), is a set of materials, usually cloth, used to cover one's body. The wearing of clothing is a primarily human attribute. It is a feature of all societies and serves many purposes: protection from the elements, rough or sharp surfaces or vegetation, protection from insects or other small animals, insulation from hot or cold environments, and it can provide a hygienic barrier. It may also be used as protection against injury in some occupations and sports. The amount and type of clothing worn varies by function, gender, body type, social factors, and geographic considerations.

Garments cover the body, footwear cover feet, gloves cover the hands, hats and headgear cover the head, and underwear cover the private parts.

History

Clothing was worn by most humans. At its inception, clothing was used to protect from the elements, as human skin was soft and less furry or armored than their animal counterparts. Clothing was originally made out of fur, skins, pelts, and plant matter used as basic coverage, but was refined over a long period of time to be created out of farmed wool and synthetic plastic fibers in modern times. The history of clothing is connected to human progress.

In historical context, it is helpful to distinguish between simple and complex clothing. Simple clothes hang loose and offer less protection against the elements. Not that it can't be warm - think of a draped fur coat. Complex clothing fits snuggly around the body and is usually made with separate sleeves or pantlegs. It requires tools, like a sewing needle.

Primates is the only animal order interested in clothing. Besides humans, apes have also been observed to play with or use clothing.

Early humanity

Archeologists who study the Paleolithic, the period between roughly 2.6 millions and 12,000 years ago, often ignore clothing because not a single shred of it has survived from this ice age era.

When the safe outside exposure time was as short as two hours, the secret to survival was clothing. Archeologists have found blade tools in the Middle East dated to 380,000 old. The oldest needle, and oldest proof of complex clothing ever found, is estimated to be 50,000 years old. The human variation of lice cannot live outside clothing and it is estimated to have diverged from its sibling subspecies 40,000 to 170,000 years ago, most likely around 107,000 years ago.

Development of wool

Animal husbandry and the domestication of animals like llamas, rams, and sheep led to a replenishing source of fabric through weaving shorn wool. This work, often relegated to women, led to much more easily accessible forms of fabric. (Note: Textile production overall was predominantly the work of women. Change the wording. This can appear misogynistic.)

Indigenous Americas

Hides, beadwork, fashion.

China

Long history, many layers. Silk. Silk.

(Note: Why so much specific history? Maybe focus on specific practical aspects. Just a copy of Wikipedia otherwise, and I can download that whole thing)

Egypt

We know about Egypt because of tomb inscriptions and papyrus scrolls. (Note: No, the invention and use of papyrus left us scrolls detailing daily life. There is history before papyrus...) (Note: True, modern Egypt had archeologists/historians studying ancient Egypt.) Silk Road. Cloth as cultural importance.

Common Materials

Development of cotton

Cotton was utilized for clothing as a wool-like, plant-based fabric, coming from the cotton plant. The picking of cotton was difficult due to the thorny and low-yield nature of the cotton plant, and it was difficult to weave without large amounts of processing work.

The cotton gin, developed by Eli Whitney, made cotton more accessible to industrial populations (Note: please* ignore slavery and racism!)

Materials

Material Name	Source	Description
Natural Fibers - Animals
Wool	Sheep	Warm, insulating, breathable
Cashmere	Cashmere goats	Softer and diner than wool, historically considered a luxury
Alpaca	Alpaca	Warmer, lighter, hypoallergenic wool alternative
Mohair	Angora goats	Shiny and silky
Silk	Silkworms	Lustrous and smooth, historically considered a luxury
Horse Hair Canvas	Horse Hair	A stiff, durable textile made of woven horse hair (in modern times it is also woven with artificial textiles as well) that is used to provide support and stiffen garments
Leather	Animal hide	Durable, flexible, long-lasting, fire-proof
Fur	Animal pelt	Insulating
Natural Fibers - Plant
Cotton	Cotton plant	Soft, breathable, universal use
Linen	Flax plant	Crisp, breathable, common in warm weather
Hemp	Hemp plant	Durable and sustainable
Ramie	Ramie plant	Silky and strong
Jute	Jute plant	Coarse, traditional clothing or accessories
Kapok	Kapok tree	Lightweight, insulating/filling
Semi-Synthetic Fibers
Rayon (Viscove)	Wood pulp	Mimics silk. Drapey, soft.
Modal	Beech tree pulp	Softer, more durable than viscose.
Lyocell (Tencel)	Eucalyptus pulp	Sustainable, soft, breathable.
Fully-Synthetic Fibers
Polyester	Petroleum	Strong, wrinkle-resistant
Nylon	Petroleum	Durable, stretchy
Acrylic	Petroleum	Wool substitute. Can pill.
Elastane (Spandex)	Petroleum	High elasticity
Polypropylene	Petroleum	Moisture-wicked
"Functional" / High-Tech
Gore-Tex	PTFE laminate	Waterproof and breathable.
Kevlar	Synthetic polymer	Cut-resistant, impact-resistant
Nomex	Meta-aramid	Fire-resistant
Reflective fabric	Embedded beads/film	Visibility, safety.

(Note: Could add processing methods? Construction and bonding? Don't know them personally.)

Fashion History

Clothing has often been used as a status symbol or a format of self-expression. As nudity was largely intolerable in many societies (Note: is socially not acceptable in modern Western Abrahamic-influenced cultures*), clothing was often mandatory even after the development of temperature control. (Note: In hot climates it will still shield you from the heat and UV rays. I bet you won't visit Russia in a bikini either. Nobody is forcing you to be clothed inside, only public nudity is forbidden. This sentence makes no sense.) Fashion does not only provide self expression, but as a reflection of the environment, society, and materials that are available to the wearer. For most of human history, clothing was made entirely by hand. The first weaving machine wasn’t invented until 1733 by Jean-Pierre Blanchard, (which is a ridiculously stereotypical French name, it’s not relevant but I found it funny) but the first reliable machine wasn’t invented until 1801 by Joseph-Marie Jacquard. (Why are all these guys French? I have no idea, I guess the French were on a roll.) With this innovation, the price of fabric dropped tremendously. But even with weaving being taken care of due to industrialization, people were still sewing and mending all of their garments by hand (which is why most people did not own more than 2-3 pairs of clothing, if that). That is, until the invention of the sewing machine. The first attempt was made in 1830, by yet another French guy, (shocking, I know) Barthelemy Thimonnier, (try saying that five times fast) who made the first embroidery machine. While the threads were too weak to hold the shape of clothing. Other notable examples of tried (yet unsuccessful) inventors were Walter Hunt and Elias Howe. While their machines were unfortunately unsuccessful, they still paved the way for the semi-successful design of the sewing machine by Isaac Singer in 1851. However, Singer was a bully and a jerk, and like the other attempts before him, he took an industrial approach, which was not appealing to professional Tailors and Seamstresses (his personality probably didn’t help). **it should also be mentioned that Singer bullied a mechanic named Orlsen Phelps into doing most of the work, so technically it’s his machine.** And so, with very few sales, Singer joined the ranks of failure. And then, Allen Wilson and Nathaniel Wheeler came along in 1852, forming a partnership and creating a successful machine, one which by 1870 was second in sales only to the Singer Company. In 1908, the patent was bought by Singer and no one really talks about Wheeler and Wilson, which makes me kinda sad. (Wait, I was supposed to be talking about fashion, not the history of sewing machines! Oops…) Anyway! With the invention of both the automated weaving loom and the sewing machine, soon came the rise of fast fashion, which is why we have style trends! (It’s the Victorian’s fault, I’m just gonna leave it at that for now, because is I get into it this be a whole novel).

Common Types of Clothing

(Note: Sort by gender)

Common types of complex modern clothing and their characteristics include:

• T-shirts: These are usually comfortable garments made from lightweight fabrics like cotton or cotton blends. They are versatile and can be worn for various activities, from lounging to exercising.

• Dresses: Dresses are one-piece garments that cover the body from the shoulders to the legs. Dresses can be made from a variety of fabrics, including cotton, silk, and chiffon.

• Blouses: Blouses are upper-body garments typically worn by women. They are often made from lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or silk.

• Blazers: Blazers are structured jackets that are often part of a suit or can be worn as a standalone piece. They are typically made from wool, cotton, or synthetic blends.

• Pants (Trousers): Pants are lower-body garments that cover the legs. Pants are made from a variety of fabrics, including cotton, wool, and synthetic blends.

• Skirts: Skirts are lower-body garments that cover the legs from the waist to various lengths. Skirts are made from a variety of fabrics, including cotton, wool, and silk.

• Shirts: Shirts are upper-body garments. They typically have a front button placket and can be made from a variety of fabrics, including cotton, silk, and synthetic blends.

• Sweaters: Sweaters are knitted or crocheted garments that cover the upper body. Sweaters are popular for their warmth and comfort, making them ideal for colder weather. They are often made from wool, cotton, or synthetic fibers.

• Jackets: Jackets are outer garments that provide protection from the elements. Jackets are made from a variety of materials, including leather, denim, and synthetic fabrics.

• Ethnic or National Dress: These are traditional garments specific to a particular culture or region. Examples include the Korean hanbok, the Indian saree, and the Japanese kimono. These garments are often worn on special occasions and can be made from a variety of fabrics, including silk, cotton, and wool.

Footwear

• Shoes: General term for footwear that covers the foot and provides protection. They typically have a sole, an upper part, and may include a heel.

• Socks: Footwear worn inside shoes to absorb moisture, reduce friction, and provide additional warmth and comfort. Socks can be made from various materials such as cotton, wool, and synthetic fibers.

• Sandals: Open-toe footwear that consists of a sole held to the foot by straps. Sandals are often worn in warm weather and for casual occasions. They can be made from materials like rubber, leather, or fabric.

• Boat Shoes: Also known as deck shoes or top-siders, these are typically made of canvas or leather with non-marking rubber soles designed for use on a boat.

Handwear

• Gloves: General Handwear to protect against cold, UV rays, chafing, and cuts. Gloves can be made from materials like leather and synthetic fabrics. Possible iterations with finger openings.

Headwear

(Note: Why so many? Wool, silk, cotton... Simplify them by general function, not design)

Hats

• Beanies: Beanies known as knit caps or ski caps. They are worn for warmth and are popular in cold weather, these are close-fitting hats made of wool, cotton, or synthetic materials.
• Sun Hats: Sun Hats are wide-brimmed hats designed to provide shade and protect the face and neck from the sun. They are often made of lightweight materials like straw or cotton.
• Beach Hats: Beach hats to sun hats, They are designed to provide shade and protection from the sun during beach activities. These are lightweight and often made of straw or other breathable materials.

Face Masks

• Cloth Masks: Cloth Masks are effective in reducing the spread of respiratory droplets and can be washed and reused. These are made from various fabrics, such as cotton, silk, or a blend.

Scarves

• Wool Scarves: Wool Scarves Made from natural wool, these scarves are warm and cozy, ideal for cold weather. They can be worn around the neck for warmth or pulled up to cover the nose and mouth for additional protection.
• Silk Scarves: Silk Scarves are lightweight and smooth, silk scarves are versatile and can be worn for warmth.
• Cotton Scarves: Cotton Scarves are lightweight and breathable, making them suitable for all seasons. They can be used for protection against the sun, wind, or light rain.

Balaclavas

• Wool Balaclavas: Wool Balaclavas cover the head, neck, and most of the face, leaving only the eyes exposed. They are ideal for cold weather.
• Fleece Balaclavas: Fleece Balaclavas Made are lightweight and provide excellent insulation. They are comfortable and can be worn under other Headwear.

Bandanas

• Cotton Bandanas: Cotton Bandanas are small, square pieces of fabric that can be folded and tied around the neck or face. They are versatile and can be used for protection against dust, wind, and sun.
• Silk Bandanas: Silk Bandanas to cotton bandanas, but made from silk, these are lightweight and smooth.