ABSTRACT

Study on Clothing Selection Criteria as Related to Status Inconsistency

Cho, In Kyung(Dept. of Clothing and Textiles Graduate School of Seoul National University

The purposes of this study were to find out the most explainable socioeconomic variables influencing clothing selection criteria, and to explore the difference in the clothing selection criteria among the groups with status inconsistencies.

A questionnaire was developed to collect data for clothing selection criteria, and socioeconomic status. Socioeconomic status was measured by education and occupation of housewife and family head, and family's total income. Status inconsistency was defined by the inconsistencies among education, income, occupation. Data were obtained from 369 housewives living in Seoul area.

The results of this study were as follows ;

1) The education of housewives was the most important variable influencing clothing selection criteria.

2) When the subjects were divided into three groups according to their status inconsistency type, there were a little differences among groups in clothing selection criteria. The "overprivileged" status type attached more importance to the fashionability and clothing dependence than the other status type. The "underprivileged" status type attached more importance to the practicality and economy than the other status type.

And when the subject were differences among groups in clothing selection criteria.

Key word : Clothing selection criteria, Status Inconsistency, Social mobility, Social status, Fashionability.