Multiple Functions of Clothing

Sexual Enhancement:  This dress made headlines when Jean Harlow wore it in the film, "Dinner at Eight" (1933), and embodied the idea of sexuality.  It was designed by Adrian who was MGM’s costume designer of that time.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/files/2009/01/iconic-jean-har.html

photo by Marcio Madeira on Style.com

Group Membership:  Lacoste illustrates the “preppy” group through this design in his spring 2006 RTW collection. 

Gender Differentiation:  This dress made by Worth in 1903 was designed for Lady Curzon.  It’s corset shape was a symbol of femininity.

http://www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/index.cfm?UUID=DB5563A8-C34C-48B7-9511936786E23DD7

This warrior from Maasai decorates his face and  head to show his strength and masculinity. Designer Unknown. (http://www.africanceremonies.com/gallery.html)

Ceremonial:   

The Furisode is a traditional Japanese kimono that is wore by young unmarried women. They first begin wearing the Furisode around the age of twenty. Its long sleeves characterize it. Designer Unknown. (http://www.japan-zone.com/culture/kimono.shtml).

Environmental Protection: NASA manufactured these space suits for their astronauts. David Clark designed this type of space suit. Space suit from the 1969 Apollo 11 moonwalk

 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_suit)

The spacesuit is essential to survival when a person travels into outer space.  This is an earlier version of a spacesuit but represents the incredible technology possible in constructing clothing to protect a person against harsh environments.