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'''Clothing''' refers to any covering for the [[human]] [[body]]. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a [[human]] characteristic and is a feature of most human [[societies]]. The amount and type of clothing worn depends on [[functional]] considerations (such as a need for warmth or protection from the elements) and [[social]] considerations. In some situations the minimum amount of clothing (i.e. covering of a [[person]]'s genitals) may be socially acceptable, while in others much more clothing is [[expected]].
[[Function]]ality is the primary [[purpose]] of clothing. It can serve as protection from the elements. Clothes also enhance safety during [[hazardous]] [[activities]] such as hiking and cooking, by providing a barrier between the [[skin]] and the [[environment]]. Further, clothes provide a hygienic barrier, keeping toxins away from the body and limiting the transmission of [[germ]]s.
Clothing [[performs]] a range of [[social]] and [[cultural]] functions, such as [[individual]], occupational and [[sexual]] differentiation, and [[social status]]. A [[uniform]], for example, may identify civil [[authority]] figures, such as [[police]] and [[military]] personnel, or it may identify team, [[group]] or [[political]] affiliations.
In many [[societies]], norms about clothing reflect [[standards]] of [[modesty]], [[religion]], [[gender]], and [[social status]]. Clothing may also [[function]] as a form of adornment and an [[expression]] of [[personal]] taste or style.
Clothing can and has in [[history]] been made from a very wide variety of [[materials]]. Materials have ranged from leather and furs, to woven materials, to elaborate and exotic [[natural]] and synthetic [[fabric]]s.
Not all [[body]] coverings are regarded as clothing. Articles carried rather than worn (such as purses), worn on a single part of the body and easily removed (scarves), worn purely for adornment (jewelry), or those that serve a function other than protection (eyeglasses), are [[normally]] considered [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fashion_accessory accessories] rather than clothing, as are footwear and hats.
==Function==
It can be said that there are four primary [[factors]] in clothing [[comfort]], identifiable as the '4 Fs of Comfort' (1) [[fashion]]; (2) feel; (3) fit; and (4) [[function]].[2] One of the primary [[purposes]] of clothing is to keep the wearer comfortable. In hot [[climates]], clothing provides protection from sunburn or wind damage, while in cold climates its thermal [[insulation]] properties are generally more important. [[Shelter]] usually reduces the functional need for clothing. For example, coats, hats, gloves, shoes, socks, and other [[superficial]] layers are normally removed when entering a warm [[home]], particularly if one is residing or [[sleeping]] there. Similarly, clothing has [[seasonal]] and regional aspects, so that thinner materials and fewer layers of clothing are generally worn in warmer seasons and regions than in colder ones.
Humans have shown extreme [[inventiveness]] in devising clothing solutions to [[environmental]] hazards. Some examples include: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_suits space suits], air conditioned clothing, [[armor]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_suits diving suits], swimsuits, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beekeeping#Protective_clothing bee-keeper gear], motorcycle leathers, high-visibility clothing, and other pieces of protective clothing. Meanwhile, the distinction between clothing and protective equipment is not always clear-cut, since clothes designed to be fashionable often have protective value and clothes designed for function often consider fashion in their design.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothing]
[[Category: General Reference]]
'''Clothing''' refers to any covering for the [[human]] [[body]]. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a [[human]] characteristic and is a feature of most human [[societies]]. The amount and type of clothing worn depends on [[functional]] considerations (such as a need for warmth or protection from the elements) and [[social]] considerations. In some situations the minimum amount of clothing (i.e. covering of a [[person]]'s genitals) may be socially acceptable, while in others much more clothing is [[expected]].
[[Function]]ality is the primary [[purpose]] of clothing. It can serve as protection from the elements. Clothes also enhance safety during [[hazardous]] [[activities]] such as hiking and cooking, by providing a barrier between the [[skin]] and the [[environment]]. Further, clothes provide a hygienic barrier, keeping toxins away from the body and limiting the transmission of [[germ]]s.
Clothing [[performs]] a range of [[social]] and [[cultural]] functions, such as [[individual]], occupational and [[sexual]] differentiation, and [[social status]]. A [[uniform]], for example, may identify civil [[authority]] figures, such as [[police]] and [[military]] personnel, or it may identify team, [[group]] or [[political]] affiliations.
In many [[societies]], norms about clothing reflect [[standards]] of [[modesty]], [[religion]], [[gender]], and [[social status]]. Clothing may also [[function]] as a form of adornment and an [[expression]] of [[personal]] taste or style.
Clothing can and has in [[history]] been made from a very wide variety of [[materials]]. Materials have ranged from leather and furs, to woven materials, to elaborate and exotic [[natural]] and synthetic [[fabric]]s.
Not all [[body]] coverings are regarded as clothing. Articles carried rather than worn (such as purses), worn on a single part of the body and easily removed (scarves), worn purely for adornment (jewelry), or those that serve a function other than protection (eyeglasses), are [[normally]] considered [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fashion_accessory accessories] rather than clothing, as are footwear and hats.
==Function==
It can be said that there are four primary [[factors]] in clothing [[comfort]], identifiable as the '4 Fs of Comfort' (1) [[fashion]]; (2) feel; (3) fit; and (4) [[function]].[2] One of the primary [[purposes]] of clothing is to keep the wearer comfortable. In hot [[climates]], clothing provides protection from sunburn or wind damage, while in cold climates its thermal [[insulation]] properties are generally more important. [[Shelter]] usually reduces the functional need for clothing. For example, coats, hats, gloves, shoes, socks, and other [[superficial]] layers are normally removed when entering a warm [[home]], particularly if one is residing or [[sleeping]] there. Similarly, clothing has [[seasonal]] and regional aspects, so that thinner materials and fewer layers of clothing are generally worn in warmer seasons and regions than in colder ones.
Humans have shown extreme [[inventiveness]] in devising clothing solutions to [[environmental]] hazards. Some examples include: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_suits space suits], air conditioned clothing, [[armor]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_suits diving suits], swimsuits, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beekeeping#Protective_clothing bee-keeper gear], motorcycle leathers, high-visibility clothing, and other pieces of protective clothing. Meanwhile, the distinction between clothing and protective equipment is not always clear-cut, since clothes designed to be fashionable often have protective value and clothes designed for function often consider fashion in their design.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothing]
[[Category: General Reference]]
