A Review of Working and Nonworking Women's Attitudes on Fashion Clothing
 
Rishika Singh Chandel1*, Dr. Rachna Sharma2
1 Research Scholar, Shri Krishna University, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
Email: chandel.rishika1@gmail.com
2 Assistant Professor, Shri Krishna University, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
Abstract - This review explores the complex link between clothes, culture, and personal identity by examining the views of working and non-working women towards fashion apparel. The research explores how clothing has changed historically, from its rudimentary beginnings to its current position as an essential component of daily existence. It looks at how societal, psychological, and economical variables affect what people wear and how that, in turn, reflects on their values and personality. The study also looks at how women's views towards fashion are influenced by their work status, going into how having more money may have an impact on what women choose to wear and how they express themselves in general. This study seeks to shed light on the complex interactions that exist between personality, fashion, and socioeconomic position in order to better understand the diverse ways that women relate to clothes in both professional and informal settings.
Keywords: Working, Non-Working, Women, Socioeconomic, Clothing, Dress, Fashion.
INTRODUCTION
The way we dress now is fundamental to our daily lives. Considering its origins in the distant past is almost unthinkable. When we use time capsules to travel through the ages, we may see back to a prehistoric period when humans lived in caves and raw materials like cotton, wool, and silk were nonexistent. Clothing wasn't an issue before when people had to worry only about finding a way to eat and stay alive. A lengthy and arduous process of evolution was required for its emergence. Artistic skin modifications such as tattooing, cutting, and painting were the first efforts by humans to alter their appearance from that which God had originally intended. The first form of clothing was body adornment. The primitive hunter was greeted with heroism upon his return from a pursuit or fight, despite the visible signs of damage on his body. His wounds, blood stains, and other horrific physical manifestations were seen as mute testaments to his bravery, competence, and triumph. As a result, the need to establish enduring symbols of respect emerged. They must have been completely bored if they hadn't considered decorating themselves with face paint and body paint. These symbols quickly began to take on different designs and patterns. Then, people figured out how to permanently mark their flesh via scratching and cutting. After that, people started getting tattoos.[1]
The want to fasten an object to one's body was the second step toward clothing. He made an incision in the nose, ears, or mouth and threaded a piece of bone, stone, or wood through it. In addition, he started draping something over his neck and tying knots around his waist, fingers, and limbs. Subsequently, he began to use methods other than the use of face decorations. Necklaces made of polished stones, feathers, claws, teeth, and bones were worn by the leader of the tribe as trophies of battle. It was also discovered that the hair on one's head served as an ideal base for adornments made of horn, feathers, flowers, and leaves. All other coverings were subsequently superseded by the girdle. A male's initial purpose for this trait was to free up his hands for hunting by carrying tools. The concept of a suspender was eventually added; initially, it resembled a contemporary pocket. As the first kind of garment, it was only natural to embellish it with natural materials like feathers, grass, leaves, and flowers. The short grass skirt emerged as a result of this trend. It evolved into a piece of apparel that served as adornment, armor, and cover. [2]
Perhaps after the grass skirt came the concept of an upper garment. The leader of the clan may have initiated the trend by returning home one day adorned with animal skins wrapped over his shoulders. Keeping the finest animal skins to wear as a fashion statement was a goal for every hunter. It gave him an air of authority. Clandestine garb was reserved for the tribe's top males and chiefs. As a result, the concept of clothing as a mark of respect, uniqueness, and social standing was born.
IMPORTANCE OF DRESS
A person's sartorial choices are profoundly impacted by his socioeconomic, psychological, and social circumstances. There is a mountain of evidence pertaining to this subject. Beyond the realm of clothing behavior, these three characteristics impact other matters, namely fashion. Studies have shown that major events and shifts in history have also had a significant impact on clothing styles. Another way of looking at it is that the fashion industry's trends and movements have changed over history. [3]
Culture and Clothing
Culture encompasses everything that an individual learns as a social member, including but not limited to his or her habits, attitudes, art, beliefs, knowledge, skills, morals, and many other aspects. The majority of a person's wardrobe is shaped by his family and community's traditions, but it also evolves with time in response to societal and technological advances. The garments show a combination of the two styles. Various historical periods reveal distinct differences in the overall silhouette of garments. In the past, there was a lot of time between periods, which allowed silhouettes to maintain their shape and form. However, in the current day, this time span has shrunk because of how quickly communication, transportation, and trade have evolved. [4]
The Physical Setting and Its Resources The Ability to Make Use of These
The physical surroundings, available resources, and one's skill level all play a role in determining one's clothing. At the close of World War I, for instance, there was a shift in style. French cotton and woollen factories were severely devastated, leading to a scarcity of high-quality textiles. Batiste, Nainsook, and handkerchief linen were once the norm for women's undergarments. France responded by relying on its silk mills in Lyon, where production had continued unabated, to meet this challenge. This led to the introduction of silk underwear and the ensemble style of clothing. It would be possible to wear many silk outfits beneath one plain, straight coat of wool. This tradition ushered in a time when wool coats were almost obsolete and gowns made of crepe, flat crepe, or satin were the norm. The causes of this dramatic shift in fashion are mostly unknown.
Humans relied on natural fibers for clothes for a long time, but the advent of man-made textiles caused fashion to evolve at a dizzying rate. Similarly, traditional ways of making cloth (weaving) gave way to more modern ones (knitting, felting, etc.), which in turn impacted fashion. The fact that there is a dizzying array of materials and clothes to choose from nowadays demonstrates how the physical environment and resources impact both fashion and technology. [5]
Folkways and Customs
Social practices that have been firmly ingrained in tradition and custom after a lengthy period of use are known as folkways and customs. Both are handed down over the ages. Among women's garments, the Indian sari stands out. The fabric and texture of this dress may vary with the seasons, but its timeless drape and widespread acclaim will never fade.
Mores and Laws
'Mores' refers to social practices that center on ethics and morality. These are traditional practices that have long been seen to be beneficial to society and that, when followed by the majority, give rise to a system of law. Strong social punishments or, in extreme cases, the formalization of the norm as a law, may be used to regulate them.

HOW ONE'S WARDROBE REFLECTS THEIR CHARACTER

One common way to characterize the person is by describing their personality. Although several layperson definitions of personality are available in dictionaries, studies reveal that experts do not agree on a single, definitive definition. Different people will assign different meanings to the phrase depending on their own particular theoretical preferences. Each of these fields has its own unique usage of the term: philosophy, medicine, sociology, biology, and psychology. The fact that "personality" may mean many different things becomes very clear. A straightforward explanation of character traits will do for now. Our focus is on the correlation between one's character traits and the way they present themselves via their attire. So, "The distinctive individual qualities of a person" is how we account for personality. When we look at a person's outward characteristics, we may get a sense of his personality. [6]
Looks are a major factor in how many individuals form opinions about others. These evaluations are especially affected by one's hairdo, personal hygiene, and attire. How we stand, speak, and move our faces and bodies can provide clues. Our self-presentation is a direct reflection of our self-and other-perceptions. Style is an expression of one's ideology and a reflection of the importance one places on one's outward look.
No matter how challenging it may be, we should make an effort to let our clothing reflect who we are. One way to find out who we are and define the image we want to project to the world is to work on improving our self-awareness. Our understanding of the symbolic meaning of clothes may be deepened via research into apparel and style. To project the image we want, it helps to have a firm grasp on both ourselves and fashion.
If you met a guy or a woman and looked at their clothing, you could tell their employment, income level, and social status at least until recently, according to Rosenbaum. There were two types of laborers in the world: blue-collar and white-collar. Some people seemed wealthy while others appeared impoverished. Everyone understood their position and how to dress for it, and everyone had a certain job to do. Even if it's not easy to discern someone's rank or employment anymore, looking for personality characteristics is much simpler. More and more, people are letting their true selves shine through and less about putting up a show. Every time you put on your clothes, you are expressing yourself. How you act reveals a lot about who you are and how you're feeling. A part of your authentic self and your deepest desires are laid bare. [7]
Achieving happiness depends on you and your wardrobe. Being comfortable in your own skin is a sign of a level-headed approach to life, and that includes your sense of style. Your mirror may reveal more than just your clothing choices; it can also provide insight into your emotional state and self-perception.
Using our concept of personality, we can find a way to apply it to clothing. Their individuality is shown via the clothes they wear and the combinations of things they wear. Looking at commercial advertising photographs will reveal that various clothes convey different emotions and even provide you fashion advice for certain occasions. A person's attire might be characterized as either "ordinary," "casual," "sophisticated," "businesslike," "unisex," "feminine," "masculine," "dramatic," etc. Both the observer and the observed one may influence the level of expressiveness shown by an article of clothing. Some garments are just not meant for certain people because of the character traits they contain. The significance of learning to match one's wardrobe to one's personality traits should be carefully considered. Wearing brightly colored, exposing attire might be intimidating for a quiet, reserved guy. Tweeds that are too snug could make a delicate lady feel uneasy. On the other side, bold, eye-catching garments bring out the best in someone with a lively personality. Dressing to blend in with the crowd would make a cultured, globetrotting individual seem unhappy. You should dress in a way that reflects your own individuality. [8]
THE NEED OF ATTRACTIVENESS
The Importance of Appearance and How It Influences
Personality is influenced by one's values, attitudes, and interests. Our unique personalities shine through in the things that matter to us, the way we act, and the things that pique our attention. Although values are more abstract and general in nature, they do stem from people's attitudes and interests.
A person's values serve as a guide or inspiration for their actions and choices. A person's dress choices are influenced by their ideals, just like any other decision. When it comes to clothes, those who prioritize aesthetics will choose items based on their appealing lines, beautiful fabrics, or the joy they provide from looking good. If money is the most important thing, then the clothes you buy may show that you care most about practicality, quality, and cost, or they may be a reflection of your socioeconomic level. [9]
The Well-Dressed Woman's Secret
Like any other art form, the art of clothing is intricate and difficult to master. Also, it has its own set of rules and customs that, since they resonate with people's deepest emotions, are known only to those with refined palates. Money is not relevant to this work. No more does a lady with little means have an excuse to dress dowdily than a wealthy woman has to feel good about her appearance. No lady, no matter how rich, has a greater chance of looking her best than the one who has to count every cent before spending it. In many cases, the inverse is true. While affluent women may let their fashion sense wander aimlessly, middle-class women are more likely to know what works for them since they have to plan their wardrobes. From this, she learns both how and what to pick. She masters the skill of dressing appropriately. Also, mastering this art form does not come easily. The ability to appreciate the harmony of lines and colors, as well as clever ideas, complete tact, and most importantly, a love of the beautiful and clear sense of values, are all necessary.
You also need a certain degree of knowledge and a few gifts, maybe some of the rarest. Two words sum it up: excellent taste. Rich people don't necessarily have better taste; in fact, the ever-increasing demands of luxury are stifling fashion sense. When it comes to taste and opulence, the two go hand in hand. Because machines are replacing humans in many tasks, eventually one will become extinct. Actually, it has progressed to the point that the two names are sometimes confused. When something is costly, people tend to believe it's lovely; when it's inexpensive, they tend to think it's ugly.
A well-dressed lady is one who chooses her garments and accessories for their aesthetic value, rather than because they are popular or because they will be tangible evidence of her husband's wealth. Those ladies who put their own spin on things, rather than mindlessly following trends, are the only ones who can be considered well-dressed. A lady must adhere to specific fashion standards so that she does not seem completely out of sync with her environment and the area she resides. However, there should be limits! If your body type calls for a more conventional style, why cares if western wear is all the rage? Dressing to highlight your positive attributes rather than your negative ones is, surely, more significant. What good can a concept of style do when it's so utterly ridiculous?[10]

ATTITUDES

You can't separate attitudes from society. They take shape in communities, center on other people, and influence our interactions with those around us. So, they are an integral aspect of social psychology. Attitudes are not immediately apparent in actions, but they may be deduced from a person's words and deeds. Attitudes, albeit imperceptible, impact every aspect of life. For instance, consumers' positive perceptions of a company's goods and services are crucial to the success of such businesses. Voters must have a positive impression of politicians in order for them to succeed in office. Similarly, the majority of us strive to cultivate positive self-perceptions within our social circle. In fact, virtually nothing happens in daily life without thinking about how it can influence the opinions of other people.[11]
An attitude is the level of good or bad affect connected with any psychological item, according to Thurstone (1946). According to Thurstone, everything that may elicit good or negative emotions from people a symbol, phrase, slogan, person, institution, ideal, or idea is a psychological object. For instance, one's place of employment might serve as a psychological object. Additional examples of psychological objects are the United Nations, political parties, book titles, minority groups, nations, labor organizations, and certain foods. Feeling and affect are considered synonymous in psychological literature. A person is considered to have a positive attitude toward an item or mental construct if they have connected pleasant emotions or feelings with it. Anyone who experiences bad feelings connected to the same mental object is said to detest or have a negative attitude toward that item.

FASHION

Millions of rupees are spent every second on fashion, making it both an essential activity and a significant psychological concern in contemporary society. Although the aforementioned is more common in metropolitan areas, large segments of the rural population are exhibiting similar patterns of behavior. A person's sense of style has been significant throughout history and will continue to be so in the years to come. Worldwide, people dress in a variety of styles. What we call "fashion" refers to the behavioral component when there is a discernible departure from the prevailing style.
Additionally, members of society are perpetually drawn to novel and unusual things. Attraction is the driving force behind the proliferation and expansion of fashion bugs, which eventually lead to their extinction as a result of widespread acceptance. You can find fashion in every facet of human conduct, not only in clothing and accessories. The pace of fashion is quite rapid. That is why trends come and go at the speed of light. Therefore, not everyone can keep up with the latest trends. [12]
WORKING AND NON-WORKING
Nowadays, the phrases "working" and "non-working" are often used to describe women. When we talk about women's income, we're referring to those who have independent sources of income (either via part-time or full-time jobs or businesses), whereas we talk about women who aren't working when we say they don't have any. [13]
Until India gained its independence, the idea of a professional woman was not highly regarded or recognized in our society, hence these concepts are relatively new here compared to Western and European nations. However, this idea was slowly adopted after independence and has now progressed to the revolutionary stage of women's emancipation in the last 20 years. The women of today are fiercely independent and have broken free from the mold of a male-dominated culture. Her awareness of her rights and her will to combat injustice and exploitation are growing daily. Both working women and women who do not work are seeing this tendency. Unfortunately, women's economic dependence makes them feel weak and withdraws them from the battle. As a result of her reliance on others for financial support, her strength of will declines. Because of this, women are more likely to be victims of social crimes such as dowry harassment, physical violence, murder, suicide, and psychological and physical abuse in their day-to-day interactions with others.
Conversely, compared to women who are dependant, those who are financially independent exude greater confidence. Working women have a high degree of self-confidence because they grow themselves, become conscious of their rights as women and humans, and get stronger through the daily struggle and more exposure to the world outside of their house and society. However, looking at things objectively, we can't help but notice that there's always another side to every story. There are times when working women are happy and free from societal ills, and other times when women who choose not to work are exploited and miserable.
Looking at it from a different angle, we can see that women who engage in this kind of work under pressure have a wide range of physical and mental health issues, including fatigue, sadness, anxiety, and loss of resistance to overexertion. She is unhealthy for one of these reasons, or maybe more than one. Whenever she falls short in her roles as a mother, wife, or housekeeper, she has overwhelming feelings of guilt. Occasionally, her physical, mental, and financial well-being are all taken advantage of because of the conditions in which she lives. Because of the stress and lack of time, she misses out on the joys of being a mother and a wife. Research on women's employment and non-employment status is abundant, and the findings from many of these studies are relevant to the topic at hand. [14]
Like working women, there is a flip side to the story of women who do not work. The women who do not have jobs do not always feel down about it. Not all women experience harassment or exploitation; others are lucky enough to live in completely safe environments. They reach a high level of mental and physical well-being while joyfully experiencing some of the advantages of motherhood. Staying inside, away from the hardships of the outside world, gives her a sense of safety.
When compared to women who do not work, working women have much more influence when it comes to financial independence and having a say in crucial home and family decisions. Women are still seen as the weaker gender in our Indian society. Despite some progress, the majority of women continue to face discrimination and other forms of oppression just because they are women. This is especially true for women who rely on males for financial support. Despite the numerous drawbacks, a woman's social standing and influence can only rise as she achieves financial independence and gains self-assurance. [15]
CONCLUSION
The complicated and multidimensional character of women's opinions towards fashion clothes, especially when it comes to working and non-working women, has been illustrated by this review. Clothes has evolved from a fundamental need to a means of self-expression, reflecting wider changes in society and the growing significance of individual identity in contemporary culture. The study emphasises how a wide range of elements, such as personal beliefs, physical surroundings, cultural norms, and social position, impact clothing choices. Crucially, the research indicates that there is no clear-cut correlation between opinions towards fashion and employment position. Non-working women can also develop sophisticated fashion tastes, even if working women could have greater financial freedom and exposure to a wider range of fashion influences.
The study highlights how clothes can define and convey a person's individuality, stressing that genuine style goes beyond fads and ostentatious shows of money. It also discusses the more general effects of women's shifting positions in society, arguing that women's empowerment may be reflected in and achieved via fashion choices. To gain a more thorough knowledge of the significance of clothes in women's life, future study might examine the complex interactions between women's occupational position and their fashion choices and self-perception.
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