This chapter relates fashion and the way people dress as a way of communication. Research shows that as babies, before their sexual identity is portrayed, they are characterized by their clothing. For example, females are usually dressed in pink or another soft color with flower or "girly" patterns. Males are generally dressed in blue, or have patterns that are related to male interests (baseballs, dinosaurs, etc.). Male and females portray their bodies differently in two types of gender scripts. Men use their bodies in a straightforward manner: they manipulate, grasp, and hold. Women convey their bodies as delicate and precious: they tend to caress objects and people. The way people dress is relevant to their sexual interdependence. If a person dresses in an immodest way, it signifies their suitability for sexual intercourse. The purpose of sexual attire is to attract attention from the two opposite sexes. These articles of clothing can be anything from a female's bra and high heels to a male's tie, jacket, and shoes.
Fashion is a form of collective behavior because it shows why people believe the way they do. Some people have worn the same type of dress for hundreds of years, because it shows their culture and what they stand for. For men and women, the seductive articles of clothing that they wear excites the opposite sex, which is imperative for the "survival of the species". Men's clothing involves a "hierarchy principle" that shows where men belong in the class system and women's clothing is designed based on a "seductive principle" so that women can be desired by men. Because women are being seen as sex objects, fashion makes them seem as if they are less important then men. Women dress to impress men and men dress so show who is wealthier and more proper. Fashion also involves obtaining the latest trends or accessories. This helps the economy, as well as a person's social status.
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